Visa On Arrival: Addis Ababa Airport Guide

can i get a visa at addis ababa airport

If you're travelling to Ethiopia, you may need to obtain a visa depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Nationals of certain countries and territories or individuals holding residence permits from these areas can get a tourist visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, including African Union nationals and all European Union citizens. This visa is valid for stays of up to 3 months. For other nationalities, it is recommended to check the requirements through a Visa Checker Tool or contact the Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate. Additionally, if you are transiting through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and staying within the airport for a connecting flight, you typically don't need a transit visa, but for longer layovers or exiting the airport, a transit visa may be required. Ethiopian Airlines offers guidance on visa requirements and can assist with transit arrangements. It is important to stay updated with Ethiopia's travel requirements, including any COVID-19-related mandates.

Characteristics Values
Visa on Arrival Nationals from certain countries and territories, or individuals holding residence permits from these areas, can get a tourist visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This includes African Union and all European Union citizens.
Visa Exemption Nationals of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan are excluded from the visa on arrival exemption.
Transit Visa If you are transiting through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and staying within the airport for a connecting flight, you do not need a transit visa. However, if you wish to exit the airport and enter Ethiopia, you will need to obtain a transit visa at the airport.
eVisa Ethiopia launched its own electronic visa platform in 2017. Passengers can apply for an e-visa on the official website (https://www.evisa.gov.et/) and must present the confirmation email upon arrival.
Long-Term Visas Ethiopia offers various long-term visa options for purposes such as employment, study, business, and residence. Examples include journalism visas for media personnel and student visas for foreign nationals enrolled in educational institutions in Ethiopia.
Vaccination Requirements Recommended vaccines for travelers to Ethiopia include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Hepatitis A, and typhoid. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

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Nationals of certain countries can get a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Nationals of certain countries can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This is a single-entry tourist visa, valid for up to 3 months. It is important to note that this option is not available to citizens of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan.

The visa on arrival facility is provided to citizens of countries that generate a significant number of tourists. The list of eligible countries is available with the immigration authorities at the airport. Passengers can check the information screens at the airport to know more.

To obtain a visa on arrival, passengers need to check with the Airport Immigration Office. They may also need to provide proof of residence in the eligible countries or territories. It is unnecessary to bring photos as there is a digital camera at the immigration desk.

It is worth noting that some sources suggest that there is no transit visa for those changing flights at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. If passengers need to exit the permitted transit area, they will need to obtain a full visa. However, if they remain within the permitted transit area and their layover is less than 12 hours, they may not need a visa at all.

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Nationals of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria and Sudan are excluded from the visa on arrival scheme

Nationals of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan are excluded from the visa-on-arrival scheme at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia. This means that citizens of these countries cannot obtain a tourist visa (valid for up to 3 months) upon arrival at the airport and must instead obtain a visa from an Ethiopian diplomatic mission or apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) before their trip.

It is important to note that visa requirements can vary depending on the purpose of the visit, the length of stay, and the specific agreements between countries. For example, in Egypt, there are different visa policies for tourists, business travellers, students, and those with specific nationalities or family ties to Egyptian citizens. Similarly, Ethiopia may have different visa requirements for transit passengers, diplomatic visits, or other specific purposes.

When planning travel to either Ethiopia or Egypt, it is essential to check the latest visa requirements and eligibility criteria provided by the official government sources of the respective countries. This ensures that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visa regulations. While sources indicate that citizens of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan are excluded from the visa-on-arrival scheme in Ethiopia, it is always advisable to refer to the latest information provided by the Ethiopian government.

Additionally, it is worth noting that visa policies can change over time, and exemptions or special circumstances may apply in certain cases. For instance, Egypt has previously announced decrees allowing tourists holding valid visas from specific countries to apply for visas on arrival, and Ethiopia launched its own electronic visa platform in 2017. Therefore, staying informed about the latest developments in visa policies is crucial when making travel arrangements.

In summary, nationals of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan are generally excluded from the visa-on-arrival scheme at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia. However, it is recommended to consult official government sources for the most accurate and current visa requirements before finalizing travel plans to either country.

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If you are transiting through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you may not need a visa

For those who are terminating their journey in Addis Ababa, the process is straightforward. Follow the signs to immigration and baggage claim in the central part of the terminal. If you already have a visa, you can proceed to the right-hand side of the counters. If you have completed an e-visa or are applying for a visa on arrival, head to the left-hand side.

If you are transiting and do not require a visa, follow the signs for connecting flights. These signs will direct you to the escalators to the departures level. If you have a long layover and are eligible for a complimentary hotel stay, proceed to the arrivals and transfer desk, where ground staff will assist you.

It is important to note that some sources indicate that there is no such thing as a transit visa for Ethiopia. If you need to collect your bags and exit the airport, you will likely need a full visa. It is recommended that you check the official websites of the airport, Ethiopian Airlines, or the relevant Ethiopian government websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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If you are transferring from one airline to another at Addis Ababa, you may need a transit visa

If you are transferring from one airline to another at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you may need a transit visa. This depends on several factors, including your nationality, the duration of your layover, and whether you need to leave the airport or collect your bags.

Firstly, it is important to note that nationals from certain countries and territories, including African Union and European Union citizens, can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This visa allows you to engage in tourist activities and is valid for stays of up to three months. However, it is always a good idea to check the specific requirements for your nationality before assuming that you are eligible for a visa on arrival.

Secondly, a transit visa is typically required if you plan to stay in Ethiopia for more than 12 hours before moving on to your destination country. In such cases, you will be redirected to specific hotels reserved for transiting passengers until your connecting flight is available. If your layover is less than 12 hours and you do not need to leave the airport, you may not need a transit visa. However, if you wish to leave the permitted transit area of the airport to visit Addis Ababa, you will need to obtain a transit visa at the airport or beforehand.

Additionally, if you need to collect your checked baggage and re-check it with the second airline, you may need to go through immigration, which could require a full visa. It is important to consider the possibility of missing your connection due to long queues and busy times at the airport. In such cases, having a full visa or a transit visa that allows you to stay for a longer period may be beneficial.

To obtain a transit visa, you can apply online, contact Ethiopian Airlines transit officers at the airport, or visit the Ethiopian embassy or consulate. Transit visas of 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours are available. It is recommended to issue the transit visa on arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa if you need to stay for more than 12 hours or leave the permitted transit area.

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You can get an e-visa for Ethiopia by applying online

Getting an e-visa for Ethiopia

Ethiopia launched its own electronic visa platform on 12 June 2017. The e-visa is processed and issued online, where applicants apply, pay, and secure their entry visa. Once the online application is approved, applicants receive an email authorizing them to travel to Ethiopia.

Who needs an e-visa?

International visitors to Ethiopia from countries provisioned for a visa upon arrival can apply for an e-visa. Nationals from Kenya and Djibouti do not need an e-visa to visit Ethiopia.

Applying for an e-visa

The Ethiopia e-visa application process is super easy, fast, and safe. There is no need to visit an embassy or consulate to apply. The application can be completed online at any time and from anywhere. Applicants will need to submit the following:

  • A valid passport and a scanned copy of the first page with personal details and passport number.
  • An email address to receive the e-visa.
  • A debit or credit card for payment of the service fee.
  • A recent passport-size picture.

Receiving the e-visa

Applicants will receive the e-visa via email after filling out the application form and paying the fee. The e-visa will not appear as a stamp or sticker on the applicant's passport. Upon arrival in Ethiopia, the applicant will get their passport stamped with the visa.

Frequently asked questions

Nationals from certain countries and territories, or individuals holding residence permits from these areas, can get a tourist visa upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This includes African Union nationals and all European Union citizens. Nationals of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, and Sudan are excluded.

If you are transiting through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and staying within the airport for a connecting flight, you don't need a transit visa. However, if you need to exit the permitted transit area of the airport, you will need to obtain a transit visa.

You can get an e-visa by applying online at https://www.evisa.gov.et/. Alternatively, you can check with your airline or the nearest Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate.

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