Visa Requirements for Ethiopian Citizens
Visa requirements for Ethiopian citizens are the rules and conditions that apply to Ethiopians entering foreign countries.
Regulatory requirements set by various governments specify how Ethiopian citizens can prepare for their planned travel. Ethiopian travelers have quite strict requirements to meet and must regularly apply for embassy visas for nearly 200 destinations. This puts the Ethiopian passport in 99th place when it comes to overall freedom of movement.
The time Ethiopian citizens can travel abroad depends on the chosen destination. Some have a designated allowed stay of 7 days. However, the most popular option available is 30 to 90 days. Additionally, all Ethiopian citizens can not only apply for a regular embassy visa, but can also apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival more easily. Traditional travel permits, as well as electronic permits and those that can be obtained at the airport, are issued for a variety of purposes. Ethiopian citizens can travel for recreational purposes, such as relaxation, vacation or exploring foreign destinations.
Additionally, most of the time, work-related travel is also allowed, such as business travel, attending meetings, conferences, seminars or negotiating future contracts.
Finally, most travel authorization documents also allow transit for Ethiopian citizens.
Electronic visa for Ethiopian citizens
eVisa is an electronic alternative to the regular embassy visa. Unlike traditional travel permits, eVisas can be obtained entirely online without having to visit official institutions. Ethiopian citizens traveling on an electronic visa equivalent to a regular visa can participate in a variety of activities.
Includes for tourism, business or transit purposes, such as going on a relaxing vacation, taking care of business or simply getting to a different final destination.
List of countries issuing electronic visas for Ethiopians:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Djibouti
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Singapore
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
More than 20 countries allow Ethiopian passport holders to visit their territory using an electronic travel authorization system.
Check if your chosen destination allows Ethiopians to travel on an approved eVisa before your planned trip!
Typically, an eVisa processed allows Ethiopian citizens to stay in a selected foreign country for 30 or 90 days.
So, Ethiopians can use the e-visa system to take a relaxing vacation lasting a month or even three months. Now every Ethiopian citizen can easily explore different destinations, enjoy all entertainment related activities, manage business and transit!
However, keep in mind that permitted reasons for travel may vary depending on the chosen destination.
Visa on Arrival
Visa on arrival for Ethiopian citizens is a travel authorization document that allows Ethiopians to enter a selected country for a certain period of time.
The main difference between visa on arrival and other travel permits is how the documents are obtained.
VoA can be obtained by crossing the border of a selected foreign territory.
List of countries offering Visas on Arrival for Ethiopian nationals:
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Iran
- Laos
- Macau
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Rwanda
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Somaliland
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
As the list above shows, more than thirty destinations offer visas on arrival for all Ethiopian passport holders.
Ethiopian citizens have a variety of places to choose from, allowing them to apply for a visa upon arrival. To obtain a visa on arrival when traveling from Ethiopia, it is important to follow several steps.
First of all, before you leave Ethiopia, be sure to check the current visa requirements on arrival.
The country you are visiting may have regulations that must be presented upon arrival to confirm your reason for staying abroad.
Then, prepare the necessary documents along with your valid Ethiopian passport and head to the airport, seaport or start your trip by car.
When you arrive in your chosen country, be sure to go straight to the border checkpoint and ask for a visa on arrival form. Fill in the correct data and wait for your request to be processed.
Please note!
Some countries offer visa on arrival to Ethiopian citizens with an additional option in the form of an eVisa.
Although electronic visas are also available, it is best to apply for this type of travel permit online for several reasons.
First, you can avoid long lines at border checkpoints.
Then, traveling prepared with an approved visa will help eliminate stress and ensure a hassle-free border crossing.
Travel with e-visas available online whenever possible to make your travel experience easy!
Embassy Visa
Embassy visa for Ethiopian citizens is a type of visa issued upon visiting the embassy.
Unfortunately, Ethiopian visitors need a visa to visit many different countries.
List of countries that issue Embassy visas for Ethiopians:
- Afghanistan
- Aland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Antarctica
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bonaire
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- The British Virgin Islands
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- The central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos Islands
- Congo
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Czech Republic
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- The Gambia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kiribati
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- Niger
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- North Korea
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Palestinian Territory
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Pitcairn Islands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Republic of Cyprus
- Reunion
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Helena
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Syrian Arab Republic
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- United States Virgin Islands
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Yemen
Ethiopians wishing to visit nearly 200 foreign locations require a regular embassy visa.
This is why Ethiopia does not rank high in the freedom of movement rankings.
Embassy-style visas can be difficult to obtain and have many requirements to meet. To get an embassy visa for your trip, start preparing for the application process at least several weeks before your scheduled departure date.
Since visa processing at the embassy can take a long time, it is best to apply in advance.
Contact the embassy of the country you plan to visit and receive an updated list of visa requirements.
Next, prepare the necessary documents and submit everything along with the completed application form to the embassy. Now, if there is no need for a visa interview, you will be approved.
Please note!
Embassy visas can be used as short-term and long-term travel permits. Therefore, if you are an Ethiopian citizen planning to study, work or live with relatives abroad, you have the opportunity to do so with an embassy-approved visa. The Embassy’s visa requirements for Ethiopian citizens can be quite strict when applying for a long-term travel permit. So be sure to check which documents are currently required before submitting your application.
Visa-free countries
Seventeen territories offer visa-free entry for Ethiopian passport holders.
Visa exemption is the biggest draw for Ethiopian travelers as the only document needed to cross the border is a valid passport.
If you are planning to visit any of the destinations listed above, the travel process will be a breeze!
All you need to prepare is your passport or valid Ethiopian ID (if your chosen foreign country allows it).
Choose any visa-free country and travel visa-free.
Present your passport upon arrival and enjoy your holiday abroad!
Most of the time, countries offer visa waiver to Ethiopian citizens allowing them to travel for various reasons.
Visa-free entry allows Ethiopians to take relaxing vacations, travel for leisure purposes and explore tourist attractions. Additionally, traveling without any type of visa also allows a person to engage in work-related activities, including business travel and attending conferences and seminars.
Finally, visa-free destinations can help Ethiopian citizens transit when they travel to another country.
- Barbados
- Benin
- Dominica
- Haiti
- Kenya
- Micronesia
- Philippines
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Singapore
- Northern Cyprus
- Palestine
- South Ossetia
- Transnistria
- Cook Islands
- Niue
- Pitcairn Islands
Besides, there are 29 countries where a visa-on-arrival is accepted and 24 where an electronic visa is available.
