If you’re planning a trip to Ethiopia in 2025—whether for tourism, business, or transit—it’s essential to understand the latest Ethiopia visa rules and entry requirements. This guide gives you a straightforward overview of how to apply for an Ethiopian visa, who needs one, and what to expect during the process.
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Who Needs a Ethiopia Visa ?
Ethiopia requires all foreign travelers to obtain an entry visa—either online (e-Visa) or on arrival except citizens of Kenya and Djibouti traveling with a valid national passport.
Citizens from African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) countries are eligible to receive a Tourist Visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. However, applying for Ethiopia Visa online is the easiest and recommended option for most travelers.
Types of Entry Visas
There are two main categories of Ethiopian entry visas:
- Tourist e-Visa – For individuals visiting Ethiopia for tourism or non-business purposes.
- Business Visa – Required for Business travelers like Journalists, Investors, Conference or workshop participants, Attendees of sports events and training programs and more.
Note: Business visa types vary in their requirements, fees, duration, extension options, and entry conditions. Make sure to check the details for your specific visa category from the official website before applying.
How to Apply for an Ethiopia Visa
Applying for an e-Visa is quick and secure when done through the official government website. Here’s what you need to prepare:
Documents Required for online Application:
- A valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
- A scanned copy of the passport
- A digital photo (must meet official specifications)
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online
- Visit the Official e-Visa Portal
Only apply through the official e-Visa website of Immigration and Citizenship Services to avoid scams. After submitting the online application for e-visa, check the status of application progress from the same website.
- Fill Out the Application Form
You will be asked on the online application to provide:
- Visa type & Staying Duration (Tourist or Business | 30 or 90 days)
- Arrival details (entry date, city/country of departure, accommodation in Ethiopia)
- Personal and Passport information
- Upload Documents: passport scan and Recent photo (JPEG/JPG/PNG, max 2MB, clear background)
Photo Upload Guidelines
To avoid delays, follow these image upload rules:
- File size must be under 2MB
- Formats allowed: JPEG, JPG, PNG, or PDF
- The image must be clear and high-quality
- Avoid blurred or cluttered backgrounds
📌 Tip: Use a light background and face the camera directly for your photo.
- Pay the e-Visa fee
Once the application is complete and submitted, Proceed to the payment via:
- Credit/Debit Card
- Google Pay
- Alipay / WeChat Pay
Read and accept the terms and conditions before submitting your payment and choose the payment option.
Processing Time & Ethiopia Visa Approval
For Tourist and Business e-Visas, the standard processing time is 3 working days (if all requirements are met). To avoid delays, apply at least 3 days before your arrival date.
Note: Processing times are not fixed for the following visa types:
- Medical Treatment Visa (MDV)
- Business and Related Studies Visa (BRV)
- Entertainment Industry Visa (EIV)
- Residence Visa (IMV)
- Student Visa (SV)
- Religion Visa (RV)
Hence, it is recommended to contact the Ethiopian embassy or consulate in your country in order to know the process time before making an online application.
Can I Extend My Ethiopia Visa?
Ethiopia e-Visa extensions are allowed for most visa types before expiration, except:
- Students Visa,
- Sport Competition and Training Visa,
- Conference and Workshop Visa, and
- Journalist Visa.
All other eligible applicants must visit the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) head office in Ethiopia for extensions. If the Visa holders who exceed their validity period face fines and legal consequences.
In addition, 15-day online extension available for:
- Investment Visa,
- Ethiopian Government Institutions Short Task Visa, and
- NGO Work Visa If the Visa holders stayed in Ethiopia more that validity period, they will be subjected to fines and legal penalties in Ethiopia.
Ready to apply? Visit the official e-Visa portal now to start your application! Have questions about your Ethiopia travel plans? Drop them in the comments below or share this post to help fellow travelers!
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Please refer to the official Ethiopian e-Visa website for the most up-to-date requirements.
