Passport/Visa | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? |
| British | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | Yes/2 | Yes |
Passport NoteA yellow fever vaccination,
whilst advisable, is not compulsory. Consult the embassy for up-to-date advice on whether applications will be accepted without the certificate.
Required by all nationals of Ethiopia and visitors staying more than 30 days.
PassportsPassport valid for six months required by all referred to in the chart above.
VisasRequired by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing to a third country within 12 hours, provided not leaving the airport and holding valid travel documents for onward destination.
2. Some tourist visas can be issued on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to:
(a) Foreign nationals coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian mission.
(b) Foreign nationals coming from and who are permanent residents in any of the following internationally recognized tourist generating countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA.
If applying for a tourist visa on arrival, visitors will require two passport photographs and US$100.
Application can take up to two hours.
Note: Tourists from countries other than the internationally recognized tourist generating countries listed above who wish to get a visa on arrival at the airport are required to get approval from the
Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department in Ethiopia. Requests for such approval should be sent to: Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, PO Box 3741, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (tel: (1) 553 209
or 564 981; e-mail:
mdina@ethionet.et).
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see
General Info).
Visa NoteAn exit permit is required by all nationals of Ethiopia and visitors staying more than 30 days.
Types of Visa and CostTourist: £12 (single-entry, one month); £18 (multiple-entry, three months); £24 (multiple-entry, six months).
Business: £12 (single-entry, one month); £18 (multiple-entry, three months); £30 (multiple-entry, six months); £60 (multiple-entry, one year).
Transit: £12 (single-entry); £18 (double-entry).
Note: 1. The above prices do not apply to US citizens. By special arrangement with the US government, citizens receive a two-year multiple entry visa for both business and tourism for £42.
ValidityTourist and
Business: Single-entry visas are valid for 30 days, multiple-entry visas are valid for three or six months and business visas also up to twelve months. Applications for extensions should be made to the Immigration Department in Ethiopia.
Transit: Seven days.
Applications to:Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see
General Info in person or by post. For application on arrival, see below.
Working Days RequiredTwo to three days, longer if application is by post. Applications by journalists and photographers may take longer.
Note: The visa is valid from the date of issue and not the date of entry into Ethiopia. Visas cannot be post-dated.
WarningTravelers are advised against all travel to areas off the principal roads/towns within 50km (31 miles) of the border areas with Eritrea because of the risk of landmines. The Ethiopia/Eritrea border remains closed and the situation is very tense and could deteriorate extremely rapidly.
It is advised against all travel to the Danakil desert area bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djibouti road and the Ethiopian/Eritrean border. On 1 March 2007, 14 people including a group of Western tourists and their tour guides were abducted by an armed group near Lake Asele in the Danakil Depression region. Five of those abducted were released on 13 March 2007 and the remaining nine were released on 23 April.
It is advised against all travel to the Gambella Region where the situation remains volatile.
It is advised against all travel to areas off the principal roads/towns within 50km (31mph) of the borders with Sudan and Kenya. Along the border with Kenya, cross-border banditry related to the drought in the region have increased. Armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several areas near the border with Kenya.
We advise against crossing the Ethiopia/Somalia border by road , and against all travel in the area east of the Harar to Gode line. The outbreak of conflict in Somalia could increase the risk of conflict in Somali Regional State.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Ethiopia; attacks could be against civilian targets including places frequented by foreigners. Since the mid-1990s, Somali groups affiliated with terrorist organizations have clashed with government forces in the border states, particularly in the Ogaden region. They may also occasionally operate within the Oromiya, and Afar regions.
Following serious politically-motivated disturbances in Addis Ababa in late 2005, the situation remains unpredictable. Travelers should remain extremely vigilant at all times if in public places and avoid any public demonstrations or large gatherings of people.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website:
www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State Website:
http://travel.state.gov/travelHealth | Special Precautions | Certificate Required? |
| Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 |
| Cholera | 2 | No |
| Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A |
| Malaria | 4 | N/A |
Health CareHealth facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate outside the city. Travelers should bring their own prescription drugs accompanied by a doctor’s note. The high altitude and low oxygen level of much of Ethiopia need time to be acclimatized to. Anyone who suffers from heart ailments or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before traveling. Health insurance is strongly advised.
Note1
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a Cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Ethiopia. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.
2Typhoid is widespread. Poliomyelitis is endemic. Vaccination is advised.
3
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant
falciparum form, exists throughout the year in all areas below 2,000m (6,562ft). Highly chloroquine-resistant
falciparum is reported. No malaria risk exists in Addis Ababa.
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