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🇪🇷EritreaIT-ER

Italy to Eritrea visa requirements

Italian passport holders need a visa to enter Eritrea, even for a short tourist visit. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa for Italian citizens. You must apply in advance at an Eritrean diplomatic mission (the Embassy in Rome or consulates in Milan, Bari, or Trieste). Eritrea has a restrictive visa policy. Only Kenyan and Ugandan citizens are visa-exempt, and only Ethiopian and Sudanese citizens are eligible for a visa on arrival; everyone else, including Italian (and all EU/Schengen) passport holders, must obtain a visa in advance from an Eritrean embassy or consulate. Italy is not part of any visa-waiver arrangement with Eritrea, and there is no electronic visa or ETA system. Italian travelers apply in person or by mail through the Eritrean Embassy in Rome (Via Savoia 80) or the consulates in Milan, Bari, and Trieste. The tourist visa is typically single-entry, valid for three months from the date of issue (meaning you must arrive within three months), and permits a stay of around 30 days, extendable at the Immigration Office in Asmara. Beyond the entry visa, independent travelers should be aware that Eritrea also requires internal travel permits to visit areas outside Asmara, which are arranged locally. Processing can take from a couple of weeks to several weeks, so applying well ahead of travel is essential. Note: as of 2026 no visa-free, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival channel exists for Italian citizens, so the conservative and correct verdict is 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), obtained in advance from an Eritrean embassy/consulate
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (extendable in Asmara)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Approx. EUR 50-70 (USD 50 base visa fee + service/processing charges)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 2-4 weeks (allow 15+ business days)
standard track
Validity
3 months from date of issue (must enter within this period)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm you need a visa and gather documents
Italian citizens require a tourist visa for Eritrea. Prepare a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip with blank pages, recent passport photos (35x45mm, white background), proof of accommodation, a round-trip flight itinerary, and proof of sufficient funds.
· Passport 6+ months valid· Photos 35x45mm
/02
Complete the visa application form
Fill out and sign the Eritrean tourist visa application form (form B62.3 or the equivalent provided by the Eritrean Embassy in Rome). Provide accurate travel dates and purpose of visit.
· Form B62.3· Sign and date
/03
Contact the Eritrean Embassy in Rome or a consulate
Submit your application to the Embassy of Eritrea in Rome (Via Savoia 80) or a consulate in Milan, Bari, or Trieste. Confirm current procedures, whether in-person or by mail, and any appointment requirement before sending documents.
· Embassy Rome· Consulates: Milan, Bari, Trieste
/04
Pay the visa fee
Pay the non-refundable visa fee (roughly EUR 50-70 including service charges) by the method the embassy specifies. Keep the receipt as proof of payment.
· Non-refundable· Keep receipt
/05
Wait for processing and collect your passport
Allow at least 2-4 weeks for processing. Collect your passport with the visa sticker or have it returned by mail. Check that the issue date, validity, and stay duration are correct.
· Allow 2-4 weeks· Verify visa details
/06
Plan internal travel permits
For travel outside Asmara, obtain the required internal travel permits from the relevant authorities in Eritrea after arrival. Independent tourists should arrange these in advance through a local tour operator where possible.
· Permits needed outside Asmara
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Italy -> Eritrea · Tourist visa (sticker), obtained in advance from an Eritrean embassy/consulate
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay, with blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Eritrean tourist visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredRecent passport-sized photos (35x45mm, white background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredRound-trip flight itinerary or confirmed booking
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredVisa fee paid (non-refundable)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedTravel/health insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedInternal travel permits for destinations outside Asmara
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from an endemic area
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
situational
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 sourcesVisa policy of Eritrea - WikipediaEritrean Embassy - VisaEmbassy of Italy in Asmara - Visas
Application link included: Visa policy of Eritrea - Wikipedia
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa fee~USD 50 (EUR ~46)Base single-entry tourist visa fee; non-refundable
Service / processing charge~USD 10-23 (EUR ~9-21)Embassy/consular handling and document processing fees
Photo / courier costsEUR ~10-20Optional, for photo printing and return mailing of passport
Total estimateEUR 50 — EUR 90incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard embassy/consulate processing
About 2-4 weeks (allow 15+ business days)
Apply at the Eritrean Embassy in Rome or a consulate; the only available route for Italian tourists. Apply well ahead of travel.
Expedited / agency-assisted service
Around 1-2 weeks
Some visa agencies can speed up document handling, but issuance still depends on the embassy's internal timelines.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement with Eritrea
Italy and the EU have no visa-exemption arrangement with Eritrea; only Kenya and Uganda citizens are visa-exempt.
High
/02
No visa on arrival for Italians
Visa on arrival is limited to Ethiopian and Sudanese nationals; Italian travelers cannot get a visa at the airport.
High
/03
No eVisa or ETA system
Eritrea does not operate an electronic visa or travel authorization platform for tourists.
High
/04
Restrictive overall immigration policy
Eritrea maintains tight entry controls, including internal travel permits for areas outside Asmara.
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
Italy to Eritrea route verified
Verified against Eritrea's visa policy (Wikipedia), the Eritrean Embassy visa page, and Italian foreign ministry/embassy sources: Italian passport holders require a tourist visa obtained in advance; no visa-free, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival channel exists.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Italian citizens get an Eritrean visa on arrival?—
No. Visa on arrival in Eritrea is available only to Ethiopian and Sudanese nationals. Italian travelers must obtain a visa in advance from an Eritrean embassy or consulate.
Is there an eVisa for Eritrea?+
How long can I stay in Eritrea on a tourist visa?+
Where do Italians apply for an Eritrean visa?+
Do I need a permit to travel outside Asmara?+
How early should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

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