Ethiopia, situated throughout the region of Eastern Africa (Horn of Africa) and separated by the Rift Valley, is among the oldest known countries and is thought to be the birthplace of mankind.
Ethiopia is also a breathtakingly beautiful country, with spectacular mountain terrain, plains, nature reserves, lakes, and waterfalls.
To travel to Ethiopia, you may require a visa. Read this article until the end to find out everything you need to know about Ethiopia visas.
Visa-exemption countries to Ethiopia
Except for citizens of the countries mentioned below, everyone else should apply for a visa to Ethiopia:
- Djibouti
- Kenya
You are also visa-exempt if you hold a diplomatic passport and can visit Ethiopia without the need for a visa for up to three months.
Ethiopia visa on arrival
You must queue at one of the visa-issuing points at Addis Ababa Bole Airport to request a visa on arrival for Ethiopia. You’ll be required to submit your valid passport, biometric photographs, and any other documentation necessary for your trip.
Despite the fact that you might be qualified to apply for a visa when you arrive, the government of Ethiopia still recommends that visitors request an online Ethiopia visa to ensure a smoother procedure. If you apply through the official website for visa applications, you’ll learn whether you’ll be able to reach Ethiopia before you leave. If your request is denied when applying upon arrival, you would have to return to Ethiopia after making travel arrangements and paying for your airline flight.
Ethiopia visa types
There are two different types of Ethiopian visas:
- Ethiopian tourism visa
- Ethiopian visa for business
Ethiopia visa for tourists
International citizens who want to travel to Ethiopia for tourism, leisure, and other non-business purposes are given Ethiopia Tourist Visas. Based on your citizenship, they could be provided at an Ethiopian embassy, online, or upon arrival.
Ethiopia visa for business
The Ethiopian Business Visa is granted for business purposes, as the name indicates, and it can be also divided into:
- A business visa for conferences, to attend a meeting or seminar.
- The Ethiopian International Businesses Company Employment Visa is granted to nationals who will work in Ethiopia for a foreign-owned company.
- Foreign nationals employed in Ethiopian government agencies or ministries are granted an Employment Governmental Visa
- The Ethiopian Privately Owned business Organization Work Visa is granted to nationals who wish to work in a privately owned business in Ethiopia for a limited period of time.
- The Organizations and Embassy Work Visa is granted to nationals who have been invited by a foreign organization.
- International citizens who might serve in an official institution for a limited period of time are granted the Ethiopia Government Institutions Limited Task Visa.
- Foreign nationals who visit Ethiopia with an invite for jobs or a short-term task are given Non-Governmental Organizations Visa.
- Foreigners who wish to invest in Ethiopia are given the Investment Visa
- If you are a journalist or a filmmaker and want to practice your profession in Ethiopia then you will be granted a visa for work purposes.
Keep in mind that you should always contact the embassy or consulate if you plan to travel to Ethiopia for other reasons than the ones specified above.
Ethiopia visa requirements
The general requirements for an Ethiopian visa are:
- A valid passport
- Scanned copy of your passport personal information page
- Biometric photographs
Requirements for Ethiopia business visa
- Application letter from the welcoming organization.
- The organization/company’s business license
- The TIN certificate
- Copy of the contract (if applicable)
- If the welcoming institution is a global or intergovernmental organization, you will need a note verbale
- If you are a journalist you will need a support letter
The documents can be uploaded in different formats with a maximum file size of 2MB if you apply online.
Keep in mind that this list of requirements can change. It’s important to contact the nearest embassy or consulate to make sure of what needs to be uploaded for your Ethiopian visa application.
How to apply for Ethiopia visa online?
You can apply for an Ethiopian visa online in the official website for visa applications.
The process is as follows:
- Choose what type of visa you want to apply for
- Fill in a description of your trip such as your arrival and departure or the place you intend to stay at
- Fill in the personal details
- Include any supporting documentation such as scanned copies of your passport and your passport photos
- Pay the visa fee
- Wait for the process to finish
Once the visa has been approved, it will be sent to you via email and you can afterward print it.
How to apply for Ethiopia visa at an embassy or consulate?
To apply for the Ethiopian visa at an embassy or consulate must be done only if:
- You are arriving at a location different than the international airport
- Rather than a single-entry Ethiopia visa, you require a multiple-entry one
Other than that, you just need to keep in mind the requirements and schedule an appointment with the embassy or consulate.
