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🇪🇹EthiopiaGB-ET

United Kingdom to Ethiopia visa requirements

UK ordinary passport holders need a visa for Ethiopia. The recommended route is the official 30-day single-entry tourist eVisa (about US$62), applied for online at evisa.gov.et before travel. eVisa holders must enter via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. A United Kingdom ordinary passport holder cannot enter Ethiopia visa-free for tourism. The Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service operates an official electronic visa system (evisa.gov.et), and the UK Foreign Office (GOV.UK) directs British travellers to obtain a tourist visa online before arrival. The standard product for tourism is a 30-day single-entry tourist eVisa. As of August 2024 the government lowered the tourist eVisa fee to US$62 (from US$82), and since November 2023 the 90-day long-stay electronic tourist visa was discontinued, so only the 30-day option remains for tourists. A visa on arrival counter exists at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, but the eVisa is the faster, recommended and more reliable channel; eVisa holders are required to enter Ethiopia through Bole International Airport. Passports must be machine-readable and valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Standard eVisa processing is around three business days, with paid urgent (about 2 working days) and super-urgent (about 24 hours) tiers. Ethiopia is in East Africa and is not part of the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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 →United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist eVisa (single entry) - official Ethiopian e-Visa
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$62 (government fee, 30-day tourist eVisa)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 3 business days (urgent and super-urgent options available)
standard track
Validity
Enter within validity shown on approval; passport valid 6+ months from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need an eVisa
As a UK ordinary passport holder you require a visa for Ethiopia. The official 30-day single-entry tourist eVisa is the recommended route. Apply before you fly.
· Required· Before travel
/02
Go to the official portal and create an account
Use only the official site evisa.gov.et. Create an account and start a tourist eVisa application. Avoid third-party agents who add markup.
· evisa.gov.et· Official site only
/03
Complete the application form
Enter passport details, travel dates, purpose of visit and accommodation/address in Ethiopia. Select the 30-day tourist option.
· ~15 minutes
/04
Upload documents and a photo
Upload a colour scan of your passport bio-data page and a recent colour passport-style photograph that meets the portal's specifications.
· Passport scan· Photo
/05
Pay the visa fee online
Pay the US$62 government fee by card. Choose standard, urgent or super-urgent processing depending on how soon you travel.
· Card payment· US$62
/06
Receive the eVisa and travel via Bole Airport
Once approved (about 3 business days), download and print the eVisa. eVisa holders must enter through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
· Print eVisa· Enter via Bole (ADD)
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United Kingdom -> Ethiopia · Tourist eVisa (single entry) - official Ethiopian e-Visa
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredMachine-readable passport with at least one blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved eVisa printout (and a digital copy)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredColour scan of passport bio-data page for the application
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent colour passport-style photograph
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation address in Ethiopia
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RequiredPayment card for the US$62 fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a risk country
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedPlan to enter via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
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 sourcesGOV.UK - Ethiopia travel advice: entry requirementsEthiopian eVisa - Official Tourist Visa portalEthiopian eVisa - Tourist Visa On Arrival (official portal)
Application link included: Ethiopian eVisa - Official Tourist Visa portal
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist eVisa (30-day, single entry) government feeUS$62Official fee on evisa.gov.et; lowered from US$82 in August 2024
Urgent processing (optional)SurchargeFaster handling, around 2 working days
Super-urgent processing (optional)SurchargeAround 24-hour handling
Visa on arrival alternative (Bole Airport)Approx. US$82Available but eVisa is cheaper, faster and recommended; carry USD cash
Total estimateUS$62 — US$82incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa
Approx. 3 business days
Default processing tier on the official portal; apply at least a week before travel to allow a buffer.
Urgent eVisa
Approx. 2 working days
Paid expedited tier for travellers with a tighter timeline.
Super-urgent eVisa
Approx. 24 hours
Fastest paid tier for last-minute travel.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement
The UK and Ethiopia have no mutual visa-waiver, so British tourists must hold a visa to enter.
High
/02
eVisa is the official recommended channel
Both GOV.UK and the Ethiopian Immigration service direct travellers to apply online before arrival rather than rely on arrival counters.
High
/03
90-day eVisa discontinued
Since November 2023 only the 30-day tourist eVisa is issued, so long-stay tourists must extend in-country.
Medium
/04
Entry restricted to Bole Airport for eVisa
eVisa holders are expected to enter via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, affecting overland arrivals.
Medium
/05
Passport validity shortfall
Applications and entry are refused if the passport is not valid for at least 6 months from entry or is not machine-readable.
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
2026-05-30
United Kingdom to Ethiopia route verified
Confirmed eVisa requirement for UK ordinary passport holders against GOV.UK and the official evisa.gov.et portal; fee US$62 (30-day single entry), 90-day tourist eVisa discontinued, entry via Bole International Airport.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can a UK citizen enter Ethiopia without a visa?—
No. British ordinary passport holders need a visa. The recommended route is the official 30-day single-entry tourist eVisa applied for online before travel.
Is visa on arrival available for British travellers?+
How much does the Ethiopia tourist eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay on the tourist eVisa?+
Which airport must I use with an eVisa?+
What passport validity do I need?+
/11 — Passport tools

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