Djibouti Entry and Travel Requirements
Djibouti entry requirements are a set of rules that every traveler must know to enter Djibouti without any problems. These requirements include a list of necessary documents that must be collected before planned departure.
One of the most essential documents you may need to travel to Djibouti is a valid passport. You must ensure that your documents will be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of arrival in Djibouti.
Another equally important document that most foreign tourists must have is a valid visa. According to Djibouti's visa policy, citizens of only two countries - the UK and Singapore - are exempt from visas. Any other foreign national must have an approved visa to enter this African Republic, regardless of the expected length of stay or reason for their trip.
Fortunately, citizens of most countries around the world are eligible to apply for a Djibouti visa online, eliminating the need to stand in line for hours at the embassy. The entire application process can be completed online, while the approved visa will be sent to the applicant via email.
However, for all types of long-term stays, including for work or study purposes, visitors of any nationality will need to go to the nearest Djibouti diplomatic mission and apply for permission. appropriate certification and/or license. There is currently no visa ban when visiting Djibouti. Citizens of any country in the world can apply for a visa to Djibouti.
In addition to a valid passport and visa, you may also be asked to present proof of your departure or return ticket to enter Djibouti.
The Djibouti government has also introduced additional measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country. The Djiboutian government continuously updates entry regulations based on developments in the pandemic situation. The last change to entry conditions related to Covid-19 was announced on 29 September 2022. Djiboutian authorities subsequently relaxed entry conditions for vaccinated travellers. They no longer have to present a negative PCR test result upon arrival in Djibouti. However, unvaccinated travelers must provide a negative PCR test certificate issued within 72 hours before the scheduled departure time. Additionally, unvaccinated travelers will be required to be tested upon arrival. Please note that national authorities may reimpose, further relax, extend or amend any restrictions at short notice. Make sure you stay up to date with the latest travel advice and immigration regulations before traveling to Djibouti.
Who can enter Djibouti?
Tourists from all over the world can visit Djibouti. The country welcomes both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers against Covid-19.
Checklist of documents to enter Djibouti
- valid passport
- Visa Djibouti
- Proof of Covid-19 vaccination (first round)
- Pre-departure PCR test performed 72 hours before departure (only if unvaccinated)
- PCR test upon arrival (only if unvaccinated)
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Important note:
If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, you are subject to the same entry requirements as regular travellers. Follow the regulations that apply to your Covid-19 vaccination status.
Check before departure
If you have not completed your first round of coronavirus vaccinations or cannot provide proof of vaccination, you will need to take a PCR test within 72 hours of your scheduled departure time.
Check in after arrival
Additionally, if you are unvaccinated or cannot provide proof of vaccination, another PCR test will be required upon arrival in Djibouti. You must not eat anything half an hour before your planned entry point to Djibouti. You will also need to pay the post-arrival inspection fee ($30) in cash (dollars or euros) or by card. You cannot leave the port of entry until you receive your test results.
Vaccination required
Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers can enter Djibouti. However, those who can prove they have completed the first round of Covid-19 vaccinations will be exempt from additional entry requirements.
Quarantine required
Passengers who are not fully vaccinated may be required to undergo a 10-day quarantine at their own accommodation. Additionally, all (unvaccinated) travelers required to undergo testing upon arrival may be required to quarantine if their test is positive. The quarantine must be carried out at their own expense, in a hotel or hospital. Travelers will only be allowed to complete their quarantine period after receiving a negative test result.
Traveling from Djibouti
To leave Djibouti, all passengers are required to provide negative PCR test results to Djiboutian authorities. In addition, Djibouti citizens and residents may also be required to prove that they have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
Before leaving Djibouti, make sure you know any entry requirements in place in the country or your next travel destination.
Traveling to Djibouti
All travelers to Djibouti should familiarize themselves with the latest immigration requirements. In most cases, they will need to have a valid passport and visa. Depending on their travel needs and expected length of stay in Djibouti, different visa types may apply.
Currently, travelers who have received one dose of vaccination who can present proof of vaccination do not need to meet any other coronavirus-related requirements. In return, those unable to present proof of vaccination must complete a number of additional requirements, including pre-departure and post-arrival PCR testing. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to develop complicatedly around the world, all accession rules related to Covid-19 may continuously change. The final update was announced at the end of September 2022.
Entry Rules for Children
Children aged 10 years and younger are exempt from the post-arrival PCR testing requirement.
Transit through Djibouti
Covid-related regulations
There are no coronavirus restrictions for transit passengers who will stay at the airport (airside) when transiting through Djibouti to their final destination.
If a transit passenger plans to stopover (clear immigration) in Djibouti, for example to stay one night in a hotel before catching a connecting flight the next day, they will be required to comply with all requirements apply to regular travelers to Djibouti. .
Transit visa
You can transit through Djibouti without a visa as long as you stay within the transit area of the airport.
However, if you plan to leave the transit area while waiting for a connecting flight, for example to stay one night at a hotel, you will need a transit eVisa. Don't forget to apply for an electronic transit visa at least 72 working hours before the planned transit stop in Djibouti.
Visa requirements
Electronic visa for Djibouti
The government of Djibouti introduced the eVisa system in 2018 to make the visa application process easier and faster. Citizens from around 180 different countries around the world can apply for a Djibouti visa online.
They can choose between two types of visas. Both types of e-visas are issued as single entry permits and differ only in the length of stay allowed in Djibouti, which can be 14 or 90 days.
The eVisa holder can use the approved visa within 3 months from the date of issuance and travel to Djibouti for tourism purposes. eVisa applicants do not need to visit the embassy to process visa procedures as the entire application can be completed online. It is important to submit your Djibouti visa application at least 3 working days to receive your visa approved on time. Learn more about Djibouti e-visas here.
Visa-free countries
According to Djibouti's visa policy, only 2 nationalities are exempted from visa entry into Djibouti. Currently, UK and Singapore ordinary passport holders are allowed to visit Djibouti without a visa. Additionally, Chinese passport holders who are targeted for “public affairs” are also exempted from visa entry into Djibouti.
All visa-exempt nationalities must present a minimum valid passport. Valid for 6 months upon arrival in the Republic. They should also ensure that their passport has at least two blank pages for stamping. In addition, they may also have to present a return or onward ticket and a yellow fever vaccination certificate (if traveling from a country located in the yellow fever belt). Visa-free visitors to Djibouti can usually stay in the country visa-free for short periods of time. If they want to spend more time in Djibouti, they will need to obtain a corresponding visa that meets their specific travel needs. For these reasons, it is best to contact the nearest Djiboutian diplomatic mission.
Passenger Locator Form
Djibouti has not yet introduced a requirement for a Passenger Locator Form. Travelers are not required to provide their health information before or after arriving in Djibouti.
Travel Insurance
There is no legal requirement to purchase travel insurance when visiting Djibouti. However, it is advisable to take out adequate insurance to cover accidents and illnesses, including Covid-19, as well as the possibility of medical evacuation by air in life-threatening situations.