e-Visa for Ethiopia: documents, fees and steps

Documents requested

Passport valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry into EthiopiaConditions and details
The tourist visa page requires a copy of the applicant's passport, valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry into Ethiopia. Persons with multiple nationalities choose the nationality of the passport with which they travel.
Scanned color copy of the passport, attached to the online applicationThe portal's "Information" section states that a scanned color copy of the passport is required. It is attached at the "Attachments" step of the online form.
Recent passport-size color photograph of the applicantConditions and details
The tourist visa page requires a recent passport-size photo; the portal's "Information" section specifies that it must be in color. The consulted pages give neither dimensions nor other specifications.

Official fees

Electronic tourist visa, single entry, maximum duration of 30 days 62 USD
Electronic tourist visa, single entry, maximum duration of 90 days 152 USD

Steps

Read the requirements in the portal's "Information" section and on the "Tourist Visa-VT" page, then follow the notices and instructions shown at each step.
Submit the application at least 3 days before the estimated date of arrival.
Complete the "Apply Visa" form: choose "Tourist Visa", accept the general terms and conditions, then enter the arrival, identity and passport details, and review the application.
Attach the scanned color copy of the passport and the passport-size color photograph.
Pay the fees online; if the payment remains pending, complete it from the application status check.
Track the application by entering the passport number and the reference code in "Check Your Visa status".
Download the visa from the portal once the application is approved.

Where to apply

Online only on the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal (www.evisa.gov.et) of the immigration and citizenship service; an application or payment made on a website imitating the portal is not admissible.

Good to know

Choose the duration and date of entryConditions and details
The portal offers two single-entry options: 30 days maximum (62 USD) or 90 days maximum (152 USD). The visa validity runs from the planned date of entry indicated in the application, not from the date of issuance.
Processing timeConditions and details
Under normal circumstances, processing a tourist visa takes 3 days; the application must be submitted at least 3 days before the estimated date of arrival. This time frame is indicative.
No more than three months in advanceThe portal's general terms and conditions state that the e-Visa is not issued if more than three months separate the date of application from the date of arrival.
Non-refundable fees, no second paymentConditions and details
All payments are non-refundable and managed by the immigration and citizenship service. If in doubt about a payment, check with one's bank and do not pay a second time: an additional payment remains at the applicant's expense and is not refunded.
Card payment refused for certain originsConditions and details
Since 18 November 2020, the portal does not accept credit card payments from applicants originating from Cuba, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Crimea region (Ukraine) and Syria. The consulted pages do not specify any other means of payment.
Dual nationalityA person with multiple nationalities chooses, in the application, the nationality of the passport that they will use to travel.
Accuracy of informationConditions and details
The applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided; incorrect or inaccurate information may result in the loss of the application. The portal states that entry is not permitted without an approved visa nor to applicants refused for incorrect information.
Information requested by the formConditions and details
The online form marks as mandatory: date of arrival, country and city of departure, type, name, city, address and telephone of the accommodation; first names, surname, nationality, sex, country and place of birth, email address (confirmed), telephone, occupation and personal address (street, city, country); type, number, dates of issuance and expiry, country and authority of issuance of the passport. The airline and flight number are optional. No proof of accommodation is cited as a document.
Tourism onlyConditions and details
The tourist visa is reserved for tourism or other non-professional purposes. Its applicants and holders must not be found in an organization in Ethiopia; a trip for business, joint venture or related activity falls under the business visa (BRV).
Entry may be refusedAs with other visas, Ethiopian officers at points of entry reserve the right to refuse entry to the holder of an e-Visa without explanation.
Extension and overstayConditions and details
The page states that an extension may be requested before the visa expires; for a visa expired for 1 to 15 days, the extension is done online, beyond 15 days in person at the immigration and citizenship service headquarters in Addis Ababa. Extension fees shown: 102 USD (30 days) and 302 USD (90 days). Staying beyond the validity without an extension exposes one to fines and legal penalties.
Portal assistanceThe portal lists as contact: Addis Ababa, +251 (11) 1262635 and support@evisa.gov.et.

Nationalities covered

This procedure applies to 79 nationalities.

Afghanistan
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Bhutan
Bolivia
Brunei
Cambodia
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Eritrea
Fiji
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Libya
Macao
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen

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