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🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM
🏳ETGB-ET

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit ET?

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.
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

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry
required
Machine-readable passport with at least one blank page
required
Approved eVisa printout (and a digital copy)
required
Colour scan of passport bio-data page for the application
required
Recent colour passport-style photograph
required
Confirmed accommodation address in Ethiopia
required
Return or onward flight ticket
recommended
Payment card for the US$62 fee
required
Proof of yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a risk country
recommended
Plan to enter via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/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$62US$82incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

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

Tools for the United Kingdom passport

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