Ethiopia eVisa — apply online

• After you submit and pay, your application is sent to the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service for review, and under normal circumstances a decision on a tourist visa is reached within about three working days.
• The system sends email notifications at the key stages — confirming the application was received, that it is under review, and when a final decision is made — so monitor the email address you registered.
• If the authorities need more information or clarification, they may contact you by email to request that you re-upload or supply additional/corrected documents; respond promptly to avoid delays or rejection.
• You can check your application status at any time on the official portal (evisa.gov.et) using your application reference/confirmation number and passport number.
• STATUS — Pending / In Process / Under Review: your application has been received and is still being assessed, and no decision has been made yet.
• STATUS — Query / Awaiting information / Replied: the authorities have asked you for additional details or documents (or are reviewing your reply), and you must provide what is requested for the review to continue.
• STATUS — Approved / Granted: your e-Visa has been issued, and the approval notice (a PDF authorization) is sent to your registered email and can also be downloaded from the portal.
• STATUS — Rejected / Denied: your application was not approved; in many cases you can correct the issue (often a non-compliant photo or a data mismatch) and reapply.
• If your status shows approved but the PDF has not arrived, check your spam/junk folder, and if it is still missing after about 24 hours contact the e-Visa support service.
• Once approved, download and print a paper copy of the e-Visa approval/authorization (the PDF) on plain paper and carry it with you — do not rely only on a copy on your phone.
• Travel with the same passport you used in the application (it must still be valid for at least six months), because immigration will match the e-Visa against that passport.
• You must enter Ethiopia only through the designated port of entry for e-Visa holders — currently Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the sole authorized port of entry for e-Visa holders — as the e-Visa is not valid at land borders or other crossings.
• On arrival, go to the immigration counters designated for e-Visa holders and present your printed e-Visa approval together with your passport.
• Expect the standard arrival immigration checks at the counter, where the officer verifies your documents and stamps the entry visa into your passport (be prepared for routine biometric/photo or fingerprint capture if requested).
• The e-Visa is a travel authorization, not a guarantee of entry — the immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final decision on whether you are admitted, and travellers without a valid approved visa are refused entry.
• Have supporting details ready in case you are asked, such as proof of onward/return travel, accommodation, or a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• When leaving, depart on or before your visa expiry date; if you have overstayed or owe immigration fines you must settle them in full and obtain an exit visa before you are permitted to leave.

• A passport valid for at least six months from your intended date of entry into Ethiopia, with at least one blank page.
• A clear, color scan or photograph of your passport biographical data page.
• A recent passport-style color photograph taken within the last six months against a plain white background, with a neutral expression and no facial gestures.
• A valid email address where your e-Visa approval document will be sent.
• A credit or debit card to pay the fees online during the application.
• Your travel details, including your intended arrival date and the address or accommodation where you will stay in Ethiopia.
• For children travelling on their own passport, a separate application and, if travelling without both parents, supporting documents such as a birth certificate or a notarised parental consent form may be needed.
• Apply at least 3 to 7 days before your intended date of travel to allow time for processing and for correcting any errors, as approval normally takes up to about 3 working days and often sooner.

No. This is a private visa-assistance service that helps travellers prepare and submit their Ethiopia e-Visa application and provides support throughout the process. You may also choose to apply directly yourself on the official government portal at evisa.gov.et. We charge a service fee in addition to the government visa fee, and both amounts are shown before you pay.

Citizens of all countries can apply online for the Ethiopia tourist e-Visa. Each traveller, including children with their own passport, needs a separate application. We handle the tourist category only; conference, business and investment e-Visas are applied for directly on the government portal.

The Tourist e-Visa is a single-entry visa available for a stay of up to 30 days or up to 90 days, depending on the option you select when applying. The validity period starts on the arrival date you choose in your application, not on the date the visa is issued.

An e-Visa is only valid for arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. You cannot use it to enter Ethiopia through any other airport or at a land border; land arrivals require a physical visa from an Ethiopian embassy.

Applications are normally processed within a few days, often sooner and up to about 3 working days. We recommend applying at least 3 to 7 days before your intended travel date to allow time to fix any errors.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended date of entry into Ethiopia and should have at least one blank page for the entry stamp.

You need a recent passport-style color photo taken within the last six months, against a plain white background, with a neutral expression and no facial gestures or obstructions.

No. The tourist e-Visa does not allow paid or unpaid employment or any work activity. Working on a tourist visa can result in fines or imprisonment, and a separate work or business visa and permit is required for professional activity.

If you stay inside the airport transit area, arrive and depart by air within 12 hours, and do not pass through immigration, you generally do not need an e-Visa. If you want to leave the airport to visit Addis Ababa, you must obtain a single-entry visa online or an in-transit visa.

Yes. You must request an extension from the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service before your current visa expires. Shorter extensions may be possible online, while longer extensions are handled in person at the Immigration head office in Addis Ababa. Overstaying without an extension can lead to significant fines.

Yes. Every child travelling on their own passport needs a separate e-Visa application. If a child is travelling without both parents, supporting documents such as a birth certificate or a notarised consent form may be required.

No. We handle the Ethiopia tourist e-Visa only. Business, conference/workshop and investment e-Visas require the inviting Ethiopian organisation to register on the e-Visa portal and issue an approved reference code first, so those applications have to be made directly at evisa.gov.et.

Check every detail carefully before paying, because errors in your name, passport number, or arrival date can delay or invalidate the visa. Applying a few days early gives you time to correct mistakes, and our support team can help guide you.