Arrival in Eritrea

Non-Eritreans and Eritreans without an original National ID generally need a visa. Eritreans travelling with an original National ID do not generally need one. The passport should be valid for at least six months and contain at least two consecutive blank pages. A visa is generally valid for three months from its issue date, and entry must take place within that period. Visa fees are not published as one uniform national amount, so the responsible Eritrean embassy or consulate should confirm the current fee and requirements. Health preparation should begin about eight weeks before travel. A yellow fever certificate is required when arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country for travellers aged nine months or older under the applicable health rules. Malaria occurs throughout the year below 2,200 metres except in Asmara, so individual travel-health advice is advisable. Travel insurance should cover treatment and medical evacuation. Carry regular medication with a reserve, especially because medical care outside larger towns is limited. At entry, declare laptops, mobile phones and cameras. Declare foreign cash and traveller's cheques above USD 10,000, keep the certificate issued for the declaration, and retain purchase and foreign-exchange receipts. Foreign currency can normally be exchanged only through Himbol and a limited number of official hotels or shops. Spending that cannot be documented can lead to delays, confiscation of money or goods, fines or criminal proceedings. Export of Nakfa is limited to 1,000 Nakfa. Eritrea has no documented nationwide central arrival or address-registration office in the reviewed sources. Initial formalities instead involve the embassy or consulate, entry and customs authorities, the ministry responsible for the purpose of travel and the relevant zoba administration. Foreign nationals generally need an advance travel permit for travel at least 25 kilometres outside Asmara or beyond Zoba Maekel. Tourist permits are handled by the Ministry of Tourism on Harnet Avenue, business permits by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and diplomatic permits by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Processing can take several days, may be refused and can require vehicle details. Tourists may have no public transport outside Asmara. Residents and workers travelling outside their area may need a permit from the local zoba administration. Dual nationals entering with an Eritrean ID or passport may also need an exit permit from the Immigration Office in Asmara; this is not a general rule for every traveller. Water and fuel shortages can affect the first days, and hotel water supply is not guaranteed. Internet access is severely limited, there is no 3G service, and international SIM cards or roaming usually do not work. A local SIM card requires a residence permit and may take several weeks, so a hotel or internet café may be the most practical initial communication option. Asmara has three public hospitals, while medical services outside the capital are much more limited. Emergency ambulance services can be reached at 122244, but English is not guaranteed. Treatment is usually paid by the traveller, so contact the insurer promptly when care or evacuation is needed. Carry a copy of your identification. Do not photograph government or military sites, and photograph people or security areas only with permission. Avoid travelling alone at night, border and mine areas, and unnecessary routes away from main roads. Keep water, food, medication and an emergency travel plan available, and expect consular assistance outside Asmara to be limited.