What Are The Differences Between Visa Issue Date and Expiry Date?

There are different terminologies about visa validity that you will come across while applying for an Ethiopian e-visa. This is the difference dates an Ethiopian e-visa's issue date and its expiry date:

1. What Is The Visa Issue Date Mean?

It's when your visa is officially approved and actually issued to you by the Ethiopian Immigration Service.

In the case of an e-visa, it is the date that you receive an approval email that contains your visa documentation.

For instance:

If you applied on 01-Apr-2025 and got your e-visa on 05-Apr-2025. Your issue date is 5-Apr-2025.

2. What Does the Visa Expiry Date Mean?

This is the last date by which your visa remains valid for use.

If you fail to arrive in Ethiopia before the expiry of this visa, it will become invalid, and you will need to apply for a new visa.

You must enter Ethiopia during this time for an Ethiopian e-visa, which ends 30 or 90 days from your entry date that you selected.

For example:

If your intended entry date of June 5, 2025, through to a 30-day e-visa is issued on April 5, 2025, then the expiry date will minimum of July 4, 2025 (30 days from June 5). You have to return to the country of issue: If the visa was processed at the Ethiopian embassy in your home country, then you must enter Ethiopia on/before 4 July 2025 (otherwise the visa ceases to be valid).

Key Notes

A single-entry visa allows only one entry into Ethiopia. You must enter before the expiry date, and you may stay for 30 days from the date of entry.

Overstay: If you stay longer than the 30 days allowed from your admission date, you may face fines or deportation.The 

Entry port: The Ethiopian e-Visa is only valid for Addis Ababa Bole Airport.