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India to Eritrea visa requirements

Indian ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Eritrea. There is no visa-free entry, no visa on arrival, and no eVisa for Indian citizens. You must apply in advance and in person at the Embassy of Eritrea in New Delhi before you travel. Eritrea operates one of the most restrictive visa regimes in the world. Only Kenyan and Ugandan nationals enjoy visa-free entry, and visa on arrival is available only to a handful of neighbouring countries (such as Ethiopia and Sudan) or to travellers with a pre-arranged visa whose Eritrean sponsor has notified the Immigration Authority at least 48 hours before arrival. Indian ordinary passport holders are NOT exempt and are NOT eligible for visa on arrival. They must obtain a tourist visa in advance from the Embassy of Eritrea in New Delhi. Personal appearance is required (for biometrics and interview); applications by post or through travel agents are generally not accepted. The standard tourist visa is single-entry, permits a stay of up to 30-90 days, and is typically processed within roughly 15-25 working days, though delays of several weeks are common. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory, and the passport must be valid for at least 6 months with blank pages. As of 30 May 2026 there is no eVisa, ETA or visa-waiver arrangement between India and Eritrea; the verdict is conservatively and firmly visa-required.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist visa (sticker), applied in advance at Embassy of Eritrea, New Delhi
Maximum stay
Up to 30-90 days (commonly granted up to 90 days)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
From approx. INR 5,200 (embassy fee varies; agency-quoted figure)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 15-25 working days (delays of 45-90 days reported)
standard track
Validity
Up to 90 days from issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa
Indian ordinary passport holders are not visa-exempt and are not eligible for visa on arrival in Eritrea. Plan to apply well in advance of travel.
· Visa required· No VOA for Indians
/02
Gather required documents
Prepare passport (6+ months validity, blank pages), photos, completed application forms, covering letter, financial proof, return tickets, hotel booking and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· Yellow fever mandatory· Financial proof
/03
Book an appointment at the Embassy of Eritrea, New Delhi
All tourist visa applications must be submitted to the Embassy of Eritrea in India. Personal presence is mandatory for biometrics and a short interview.
· In person· New Delhi only
/04
Submit application and pay the fee
Lodge the forms and supporting documents at the embassy and pay the visa fee. Travel agents are not authorised to submit on your behalf.
· Self-submission· Pay fee
/05
Wait for processing
Allow roughly 15-25 working days; processing can stretch to several weeks. Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is issued.
· Allow 3-8 weeks buffer
/06
Collect passport and verify the visa
Collect your passport, check the dates, entry type and permitted stay, and carry the yellow fever certificate when you fly.
· Check dates· Carry vaccination card
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
India -> Eritrea · Tourist visa (sticker), applied in advance at Embassy of Eritrea, New Delhi
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid 6+ months beyond stay, with at least 2-3 blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Eritrea visa application form(s)
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent passport-size colour photographs (white background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed return/onward flight reservation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredHotel reservation for the full stay
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of funds (bank statements, ITR / Form 16)
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredCovering letter explaining purpose of visit
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedEmployment / business / student proof as applicable
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
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.
Application link included: Visa policy of Eritrea - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa feeFrom approx. INR 5,200Embassy fee; exact amount confirmed at the Embassy of Eritrea, New Delhi
Yellow fever vaccinationApprox. INR 300-1,500Mandatory; at authorised vaccination centre
PhotographsApprox. INR 100-300Passport-size colour photos
Service/agency charge (optional)Approx. INR 1,000-3,000Only if using an assistance agency; embassy requires personal submission
Total estimateINR 5,600INR 10,000incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Extended processing (observed)
Up to 45-90 days
Some applicants report longer waits; build in a generous buffer.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Indians are not visa-exempt
Eritrea exempts only Kenya and Uganda; Indian ordinary passport holders must obtain a visa in advance.
High
/02
No visa on arrival for Indians
VOA is limited to a few neighbouring states or pre-arranged/sponsored cases; Indians cannot get VOA at the airport.
High
/03
No eVisa available
Eritrea has no online eVisa system for tourists; applications are paper-based at the embassy.
Medium
/04
In-person submission required
The embassy requires personal appearance for biometrics and interview and does not accept agent submissions.
Medium
/05
Long and variable processing
Processing times are unpredictable and can extend well beyond the quoted window.
Medium
/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 · major
India to Eritrea route verified
Verified against the Eritrea visa policy and embassy sources: Indian ordinary passport holders require a tourist visa obtained in advance from the Embassy of Eritrea, New Delhi. No visa-free entry, no visa on arrival, no eVisa.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Indian citizens get a visa on arrival in Eritrea?
No. Visa on arrival is not available to Indian ordinary passport holders. You must obtain a tourist visa in advance from the Embassy of Eritrea before travelling.
Is there an Eritrea eVisa for Indians?+
How long does the Eritrea tourist visa take to process?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?+
Can a travel agent submit my Eritrea visa application?+
How long can I stay on an Eritrea tourist visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the India passport

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