canivisit.com
Beta — verify with official sources⌘K
Home/from/United Arab Emirates/to/Eritrea
🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇪🇷EritreaAE-ER

United Arab Emirates to Eritrea visa requirements

UAE ordinary passport holders need a visa before traveling to Eritrea. Eritrea does not publish a general eVisa or general visa-on-arrival route for UAE ordinary passports; apply through the competent Eritrean mission. UAE ordinary passport holders should treat Eritrea as visa-required. UAE MoFA lists Eritrea as Visa Required, and Eritrean mission guidance requires travelers to apply through an Eritrean embassy or consulate before travel. Eritrea does not publish a general eVisa route or a general walk-up visa-on-arrival route for UAE ordinary passports. Visa fees, payment method, number of entries, validity and processing time are mission-specific, so travelers should check the Eritrean mission responsible for their place of residence before booking non-refundable travel. Official Eritrean mission examples show processing can be no faster than 15 business days, and another mission advises allowing up to four weeks. Travelers should prepare a passport valid at least six months, the mission application form, passport photo, itinerary or invitation/accommodation details, and any documents requested by the mission. Internal travel outside Asmara may require separate permits after arrival.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-18
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-18
Visa type
Consular visa obtained before travel
Maximum stay
As endorsed by the visa and Eritrean immigration
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple entry as granted by the mission
from issue date
Visa fee
Mission-specific; confirm directly with the Eritrean mission
consular fee only
Processing time
Mission-specific; official examples range from at least 15 business days to up to 4 weeks
standard track
Validity
As issued by the Eritrean mission
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa requirement
UAE ordinary passport holders are not listed for visa-free travel to Eritrea. Plan to obtain a visa before departure through the competent Eritrean mission.
· Visa required· Apply before travel
/02
Contact the Eritrean mission
Confirm the current form, fee, payment method, processing time, submission channel and whether original passport submission is required.
· Mission-specific· Check fee
/03
Prepare documents
Gather a passport valid at least six months, completed visa form, recent passport photo, travel itinerary, accommodation or invitation details, and any additional documents requested by the mission.
· 6-month passport· Application form
/04
Submit the application
Submit the application and passport through the mission's accepted channel. Do not rely on a fixed fee or universal processing time because mission instructions differ.
· Consular submission· Fees vary
/05
Allow enough time
Use official examples as a planning floor: some missions state a minimum of 15 business days, while others advise allowing up to four weeks.
· 15 business days+· Up to 4 weeks
/06
Verify the visa and permits
Check the issued visa's validity, entries and permitted stay before travel. After arrival, ask local authorities about permits before traveling outside Asmara.
· Check visa· Internal permits
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
United Arab Emirates -> Eritrea · Consular visa obtained before travel
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid for at least 6 months
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted Eritrean visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent passport-size photo
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel itinerary or return/onward flight details
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
ConditionalAccommodation booking, host details or invitation if requested
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
conditional
RequiredMission-specific visa fee and payment method
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredAdditional documents requested by the Eritrean mission
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from or transiting a risk country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
ConditionalProof of UAE residency/ID if applying as a resident rather than UAE citizen
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RecommendedApply several weeks before departure
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - visa exemptions for non-citizen destinationsUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Eritrea travel updatesUAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Eritrean missions in the UAE
Application link included: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - visa exemptions for non-citizen destinations
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Eritrean consular visa feeVariesSet by the Eritrean mission according to visa type, entry count and local payment rules
Mission service or mailing feesVariesMay apply depending on the mission and submission channel
Photo/courier/agency costsVariesOptional or situational costs, not a universal government fee
Total estimateVaries — Variesincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Consular visa processing
Mission-specific
Official examples range from a minimum of 15 business days to up to four weeks. Confirm directly with the Eritrean mission.
Early submission
Several weeks before travel
Recommended because missions may request extra documents and there is no universal expedited service.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Eritrea is visa-required for UAE ordinary passports
UAE MoFA lists Eritrea as Visa Required and does not list a UAE ordinary-passport exemption.
High
/02
No general eVisa or VOA route
Eritrean mission guidance uses consular visa procedures; a general electronic or walk-up arrival visa route is not published for UAE ordinary passports.
High
/03
Fees and timing vary by mission
Official mission pages give different processing examples and do not support a universal USD total or universal processing window.
Medium
/04
Internal travel permits may apply
A visa allows entry, but travel outside Asmara may require separate permits from Eritrean authorities.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-18 · major
Eritrea consular visa details corrected
Replaced unofficial sources with UAE MoFA and Eritrean mission references, removed universal fee totals and universal processing claims, and clarified that requirements are mission-specific.
2026-05-30
United Arab Emirates to Eritrea route verified
Earlier version correctly treated Eritrea as visa-required but overstated country exemptions, fees and processing certainty.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a UAE passport holder get a visa on arrival in Eritrea?—
Do not rely on visa on arrival. Eritrea does not publish a general walk-up visa-on-arrival route for UAE ordinary passports; apply through the competent Eritrean mission before travel.
Does Eritrea have an eVisa for Emirati citizens?+
How long can I stay in Eritrea on a tourist visa?+
How much does an Eritrean tourist visa cost?+
How early should I apply?+
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Arab Emirates passport

🇦🇪⇄
Compare the United Arab Emirates passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇦🇪◐
United Arab Emirates visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇦🇪▤
United Arab Emirates passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.