🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

🇪🇹EthiopiaSA-ET

Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia visa requirements

Q: Is visa on arrival available for Saudi passport holders?

Yes. Saudi nationals can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, but applying for the eVisa in advance is faster and more reliable.

Q: How long can I stay on the tourist eVisa?

The standard tourist eVisa allows a stay of up to 30 days on a single entry. A 90-day single-entry option is also available at a higher fee.

Q: How much does the Ethiopian tourist eVisa cost?

The government fee is roughly USD 82 for the 30-day single-entry visa and around USD 202 for the 90-day option; some sources report a recent reduction toward USD 62 for the 30-day.

Q: Which airport must I use with an eVisa?

eVisa holders must enter Ethiopia through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Entry via other ports of entry is not permitted with an eVisa.

Q: How long does eVisa approval take?

Processing normally takes about three business days. Apply at least a week before travel to allow a buffer.

Saudi Arabia ordinary passport holders need a visa for Ethiopia. The recommended route is the Ethiopian eVisa, applied online before travel at evisa.gov.et and available to all nationalities. A visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is also possible, but the eVisa is faster and more reliable. Ethiopia is not a visa-free or visa-waiver destination for Saudi Arabia (ordinary) passport holders, and it is not in the Schengen area, so no 90/180 or ETIAS rule applies. Ethiopia operates a universal eVisa system (evisa.gov.et) open to citizens of all countries, plus a visa-on-arrival facility at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for eligible nationalities including Saudi Arabia. Only Kenya and Djibouti are fully visa-exempt. For a short tourist visit the cleanest, officially-encouraged option is the single-entry tourist eVisa, typically valid 30 days, processed in about 3 business days. Travelers using an eVisa must enter Ethiopia through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport; entry via other ports with an eVisa is not permitted. A 90-day single-entry tourist eVisa is also offered at a higher fee. Passport must be valid at least six months and have blank pages.

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 eVisa (single entry) - VOA also available at Bole airport

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (90-day option available)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

~USD 82 (30-day); ~USD 202 (90-day) government fee

consular fee only

Processing time

About 3 business days

standard track

Validity

Enter within validity window; 30-day stay from entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm eligibility and passport validity

Ensure your Saudi ordinary passport is valid for at least six months from your intended arrival date in Ethiopia and has at least one blank page.

· Passport 6+ months· Blank page

/02

Open the official eVisa portal

Go to the official Ethiopian government portal at evisa.gov.et. Avoid third-party look-alike sites that charge extra service fees.

· evisa.gov.et· Official only

/03

Complete the online application

Select Tourist visa, choose the 30-day (or 90-day) single-entry option, and fill in personal, passport, and travel details.

· Tourist· Single entry

/04

Upload documents and pay

Upload a passport bio-page scan and a recent passport-style photo, then pay the visa fee online by credit/debit card.

· Photo· Card payment

/05

Receive approval and print

Wait roughly 3 business days for approval emailed as a PDF. Print a copy to present on arrival.

· ~3 days· Print PDF

/06

Enter via Bole International Airport

Travel to Ethiopia and enter through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport; eVisa holders may not enter via other ports.

· Bole airport only

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Saudi Arabia -> Ethiopia · Tourist eVisa (single entry) - VOA also available at Bole airport

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredSaudi ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredRecent passport-style digital photo

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredClear scan of passport bio-data page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredConfirmed onward/return flight ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RequiredCredit or debit card for online payment

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredPrinted eVisa approval (PDF)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedSufficient funds for the stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

RequiredEntry planned via Bole International Airport

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

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 sourcesEthiopian eVisa - Official Portal (Tourist Visa)Visa policy of Ethiopia - Wikipedia Ethiopia Tourist Visa - VisaIndex

Application link included: Ethiopian eVisa - Official Portal (Tourist Visa)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist eVisa - 30 days single entry~USD 82Government fee paid online; some sources cite ~USD 62 after a recent reduction

Tourist eVisa - 90 days single entry~USD 202Higher-tier single-entry option for longer stays

Visa on arrival (alternative)~USD 82 (30 days)Payable in cash/card at Bole airport; eVisa recommended over VOA

Total estimateUSD 82 — USD 202incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa processing

About 3 business days

Apply online at evisa.gov.et and receive the approved eVisa PDF by email.

Visa on arrival

At the airport

Obtain the visa at counters in the arrivals/passport-control area of Bole International Airport.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No visa-waiver agreement

Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia have no mutual visa-exemption; only Kenya and Djibouti are visa-exempt for Ethiopia.

High

/02

Universal eVisa system

Ethiopia's eVisa is open to citizens of all countries, making it the standard pre-travel route for Saudi nationals.

High

/03

Not in Schengen / no ETIAS

Ethiopia is an African country, not part of the Schengen area, so the 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.

Medium

/04

Entry port restriction

eVisa holders must enter through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, not land or other air borders.

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

Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia route verified

Confirmed via the official Ethiopian eVisa portal and Ethiopia visa policy that Saudi ordinary passport holders require a visa, best obtained as a single-entry tourist eVisa (30 days, ~USD 82, ~3-day processing) with entry via Bole International Airport; visa on arrival also available.

/09 — The questions