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🇪🇷EritreaUS-ER

United States to Eritrea visa requirements

US passport holders need a tourist visa obtained in advance before traveling to Eritrea. There is no visa on arrival and no eVisa; you must apply online through the Eritrean Embassy in Washington DC and mail your passport for stamping. A United States ordinary passport holder must obtain an Eritrean tourist visa before departure. Eritrea offers no visa-on-arrival or true eVisa channel, so the only route is applying through the Embassy of Eritrea in Washington, DC. Applications are submitted via the embassy's Consular Affairs Processing System (CAPS) online portal, after which the applicant mails their original passport to the embassy for the visa to be affixed. The standard tourist visa permits a stay of about one month (30 days), with the visa itself valid for three months from issuance, meaning you must enter Eritrea within that window. The embassy quotes a minimum of 15 business days for processing, and the standard published total (visa fee plus photo and service fees) is around $73 for a single-entry tourist visa; multiple-entry options carry higher fees. Required documents include a passport valid at least six months beyond travel with at least two blank pages, a passport photo (35x45mm), proof of sufficient funds, and the completed application form. Travelers should be aware of two Eritrea-specific points: dual US-Eritrean nationals face exit-visa requirements and possible departure restrictions, and all foreign visitors must obtain a separate internal travel permit to go more than 25 km beyond Asmara.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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 (issued in advance by the Embassy of Eritrea, Washington DC)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (one month), extendable at Immigration in Asmara
per entry
Entries
Single entry standard; 3/6/12-month multiple-entry options available
from issue date
Visa fee
~USD 73 total for single entry (USD 50 visa + USD 13 photo + USD 10 service)
consular fee only
Processing time
Minimum 15 business days
standard track
Validity
Visa valid 3 months from date of issue; must enter within that period
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport eligibility
Ensure your US passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned travel dates and has at least two blank visa pages.
· 6-month validity· 2 blank pages
/02
Apply online via CAPS
Complete the Eritrean Embassy's online tourist visa application (form B62.3) through the Consular Affairs Processing System at us.eriembassy.org and upload a digital passport photo.
· Online portal· Form B62.3
/03
Pay the visa fees
Pay the applicable nonrefundable fees online (visa, photo printing, and service fee). Single-entry total is approximately USD 73.
· Nonrefundable· ~USD 73
/04
Mail your passport to the embassy
Send your original passport plus any required supporting documents to the Embassy of Eritrea in Washington, DC, with a prepaid return shipping label.
· Original passport· Prepaid return label
/05
Allow processing time
Wait a minimum of 15 business days for the embassy to process and affix the visa to your passport before it is returned.
· 15+ business days
/06
Arrange internal travel permits
After arrival in Asmara, obtain a travel permit from the Ministry of Tourism before traveling more than 25 km outside the capital.
· Permit beyond 25 km· Ministry of Tourism
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Eritrea · Tourist visa (issued in advance by the Embassy of Eritrea, Washington DC)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUS passport valid 6+ months beyond travel with 2+ blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted online visa application (form B62.3) via CAPS portal
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredPassport-style photo, 35 x 45 mm
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (recent bank statement)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RecommendedRound-trip flight itinerary showing entry and exit dates
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RequiredNonrefundable visa and service fees paid
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredPrepaid return shipping label for passport return
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredBirth certificate copy (applicants 17 and younger only)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RequiredTravel permit for any destination beyond 25 km from Asmara
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RecommendedAwareness of exit-visa rules for US-Eritrean dual nationals
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 sourcesEmbassy of Eritrea, Washington DC - VisaUS State Department - Eritrea International Travel InformationUS State Department - Eritrea Visa Reciprocity
Application link included: Embassy of Eritrea, Washington DC - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist visa fee (single entry)USD 50Nonrefundable; base government visa fee
Photo printing feeUSD 13Charged by embassy when processing online application
Service / processing feeUSD 10Embassy administrative service fee
Multiple-entry visa (3 / 6 / 12 months)USD 80 / 120 / 200Optional higher-tier visas in place of single entry
Total estimateUSD 73 — USD 200incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Embassy mail-in processing
Minimum 15 business days
Standard route: apply online via CAPS, mail original passport to the Embassy of Eritrea in Washington DC for the visa to be affixed and returned.
Expedited via visa service agency
Around 5-10 business days
Third-party expediting services can submit on your behalf for additional fees, but timelines still depend on the embassy.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa
Eritrea does not offer visa on arrival or a genuine electronic visa for US citizens; a visa must be secured before departure.
High
/02
Mail-in passport requirement
The original passport must be physically mailed to the embassy in Washington DC, so travelers must plan well ahead of departure.
High
/03
Long processing window
A minimum of 15 business days processing means last-minute travel is impractical.
Medium
/04
Internal travel permits
Even with a valid visa, foreigners need separate permits to travel more than 25 km outside Asmara, and these can be denied.
Medium
/05
Dual-national exit restrictions
US-Eritrean dual nationals may face exit-visa requirements and possible departure denial.
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 States of America to Eritrea route verified
Verified against the Embassy of Eritrea (Washington DC) visa page and the US State Department country information page: tourist visa required in advance, no VOA or eVisa, ~USD 73 single-entry total, minimum 15 business days processing.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can US citizens get an Eritrea visa on arrival?—
No. Eritrea does not offer visa on arrival or an eVisa to US citizens. You must obtain a tourist visa in advance from the Embassy of Eritrea in Washington DC before you travel.
How long can I stay in Eritrea on a tourist visa?+
How much does an Eritrean tourist visa cost?+
How long does processing take?+
Do I need anything beyond the visa to travel within Eritrea?+
Are there special rules for US-Eritrean dual nationals?+
/11 — Passport tools

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