Ethiopia eVisa Document Requirements — 2026
To successfully apply for an Ethiopia eVisa through the official portal at evisa.gov.et, you must prepare and submit the following documents. Meeting all requirements before starting your application prevents delays and rejection.
1. Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Ethiopia. This is a firm requirement — passports with less than 6 months validity remaining are automatically rejected. Additionally, your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp from Ethiopian immigration.
If your passport expires soon, renew it before applying. The eVisa is tied to the specific passport used during the application, so if you renew your passport after receiving the eVisa but before travel, you may need to contact immigration to update the details.
2. Color Scan of Passport Biographical Page
You must upload a clear color scan of the biographical data page — the page containing your photo, full name, date of birth, passport number, and expiry date. Requirements for the scan:
- Must be in color — black and white is not accepted
- All text and photo must be clearly legible
- No reflections, shadows, or obstructions
- Accepted formats: JPEG, JPG, or PDF
- File size: within the portal’s specified limits (typically under 2MB)
3. Recent Passport-Size Photo
A color passport-size photo of the applicant is required. Specifications:
- Recent — taken within the last 6 months
- Color photo — no black and white
- White or light background
- Face clearly visible, no sunglasses or head coverings (unless for religious reasons)
- ICAO-compliant format recommended
- File format: JPEG or JPG
4. Valid Email Address
Your email address is used for all communications regarding your eVisa application — confirmation, status updates, and the final approval document. Use an email address you check regularly. The approved eVisa is sent as a PDF attachment to this address.
5. Payment Method
A valid international credit or debit card is required. Accepted cards include Visa and Mastercard. The fee for a Tourist eVisa is:
- $62 USD — Single entry, 30 days
- $152 USD — Single entry, 90 days
Note: Credit card payments from Cuba, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Crimea region of Ukraine, and Syria are not accepted. If you’re from these countries, contact Ethiopian immigration for alternatives.
6. Intended Arrival Date in Ethiopia
You must specify your intended date of arrival in Ethiopia during the application. This is the date from which your eVisa validity period begins. If your plans change and you arrive earlier or later than specified, your visa coverage may be affected. If you delay your trip significantly, you may need to reapply.
Additional Requirements for Specific Visa Types
If you are applying for a business, investment, NGO, conference, or government visa rather than a tourist visa, additional requirements apply:
- Conference Visa (CV) — Invitation letter from the organizing Ethiopian institution; the institution must be registered on the evisa.gov.et portal with a reference code
- Investment Visa (IV) — Reference code from a registered investment organization in Ethiopia
- NGO Work Visa (NV) — Organization registration and reference code from the registered NGO
- Government Institutions Visa (GIV) — Official letter from the Ethiopian government counterpart institution
Business visas are not issued to applicants under 18 years of age. Parents traveling with children should apply for tourist visas for their minor children regardless of their own visa type.
Entry Requirements at the Border
Beyond the eVisa requirements, Ethiopian immigration officers may ask to verify:
- Printed or digital copy of your eVisa — Required at immigration; the officer scans and verifies it
- Passport — The same passport used in your application
- Return or onward ticket — While not mandatory for eVisa application, immigration may request proof you intend to leave Ethiopia
- Sufficient funds — Immigration may ask about your financial means to support yourself during your stay
Ethiopia does not currently require proof of yellow fever vaccination for most travelers, but if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country, a valid yellow fever certificate may be required. Always check the latest entry requirements with your airline and the Ethiopian embassy in your country before travel. See our full page on Ethiopia entry requirements 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need for an Ethiopia eVisa?
You need a valid passport (6+ months validity), a color scan of your passport photo page, a recent color passport-size photo, an email address, and a credit/debit card for payment.
Does my passport need 6 months validity for the Ethiopia eVisa?
Yes — your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry into Ethiopia. This is a hard requirement — passports expiring sooner will be rejected.
Are black and white passport scans accepted?
No. Both the passport scan and the passport photo must be in color. Black and white copies are rejected by the system.
Do I need to show a return ticket to get an Ethiopia eVisa?
A return ticket is not required during the eVisa application process. However, immigration officers at the border may ask for proof of onward travel, so having a return ticket is recommended.
Can I use a child’s passport for an Ethiopia eVisa?
Yes — children need their own separate eVisa application using their own passport. If traveling with a business visa holder, children should be applied for under the tourist visa category.
