Arrival in Ethiopia

Apply for an official eVisa only through evisa.gov.et. The application requires a color scan of the passport and a passport photo, and the passport should remain valid for at least six months after the planned entry date. The eVisa becomes valid from the planned arrival date. The fee is non-refundable, and a payment receipt does not prove that the visa has been approved. Carry the confirmation email and the approved one-page eVisa. The border authority can still refuse entry. A tourist eVisa normally takes about three days to process and should be requested at least three days before arrival. Single-entry tourist visas are available for a maximum of 30 days for USD 62 or 90 days for USD 152. An extension must be requested before expiry: online extensions cover 1 to 15 days, while longer extensions require a personal visit to the main Immigration and Citizenship Service office in Addis Ababa. Overstaying can lead to fees and legal consequences. Work, study, business, NGO activity, journalism and medical treatment require the matching visa or Immigration and Citizenship Service procedure rather than a tourist visa. Visa on arrival is available only to nationalities that qualify for it at the airport immigration office, so other travelers need a valid entry visa before departure. The eVisa form asks for the accommodation type, name, city, street and telephone number. Arrange a confirmed first accommodation or a host and hotel address before departure, together with transfer details. This first address requirement does not establish long-term housing. Travelers aged nine months or older arriving from a yellow-fever risk area, or transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in such an area, may need a yellow fever certificate. The World Health Organization recommends yellow fever vaccination for international travelers aged nine months or older, but the current requirement depends on the travel itinerary and country of origin. Check it before travel. At Bole International Airport, customer relations officers can direct passengers to passport control, followed by baggage claim and customs. Use the baggage screens to find the belt. Green customs means there is nothing to declare; red customs is for declarations, and all baggage, including hand luggage, passes through X-ray screening. Ethiopian Airlines has a customer service desk in the baggage claim area around the clock. Banks, ATMs and foreign-exchange counters operate in the arrivals hall. Bole is about 8 km from central Addis Ababa, and the trip usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Available onward transport includes the Blue Line SkyBus from Terminal 2, official yellow-and-cream taxis, licensed private taxis, a local ride-hailing app and a hotel shuttle arranged in advance. Uber is not available. The Immigration and Citizenship Service handles visas, foreign-national registration and residence IDs. No general nationwide newcomer register is officially evidenced; formalization instead depends on immigration status and activity. A temporary ID can apply to foreign employees, students, shareholders and journalists. Typical documents include an employer or institution letter, a valid trade certificate or confirmation from the responsible ministry, the passport, a valid visa and the visa stamp. Applications may be submitted online or in person. General processing takes about 5 to 10 working days, fees depend on the service, and status can be checked online. The service can be contacted through 8133 or info@ics.gov.et and is located at Gotera Interchange in Kirkos, Addis Ababa. Fayda provides biometric identity and access to services for eligible people with a residence or activity connection to Ethiopia. A foreign resident generally needs a valid residence permit or work permit together with a passport; other pathways exist for people with Ethiopian origin, refugees and diplomats through their relevant identity documents. Registration is personal and records ten fingerprints, two iris scans and a facial image, producing a 12-digit Fayda Identification Number. Registration requires an appointment and is available at locations such as Ethio telecom centers, revenue offices, selected banks, post offices and DARS. Fayda can support access to banking, health, education, document and other essential services. A usual tourist without proof of legal residence is not immediately eligible. For emergencies in Addis Ababa, commonly listed numbers include 991 for the Addis Ababa Police Commission, 915 or 916 for the Federal Police, 912 for fire services and 939 for the Addis Ababa Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission. Confirm the local number and responsibility at the place of arrival because emergency arrangements can vary.