Ethiopia Visa Guide: The Best Options for Conference Attendees

Hosting an event in Addis Ababa can be a rewarding experience, providing participants the opportunity to learn, network, and immerse themselves in a vibrant and historic city. However, you must first ensure your international participants have the necessary visa documentation.

Consider this guide a comprehensive overview of the Ethiopian visa process, including the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and fees. We’ll also offer helpful tips and advice to ensure your attendees’ visa application is processed smoothly and efficiently. Need more help? Get in touch, we are eager to aid in your journey to Addis. 

Quick Tips For Ethiopian Visas

1. Only Kenyan and Djibouti citizens can enter Ethiopia visa-free. Other foreign nationals must request visas in advance, online or at the Ethiopian embassy.
2. The validity of Ethiopian e-Visa starts from the date you intend to enter Ethiopia, not from the date of issue.
3. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you intend to enter Ethiopia.
4. e-Visa application fees are not refundable.
5. Credit card payments are not accepted from visa applicants from the following countries: Cuba, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Crimea region of Ukraine, and the Syrian Arab Republic.

What Type of Visa Will Your Event Participants Need for Ethiopia?

If you’re planning to host an international event in Ethiopia, and are worried about visas for your participants – we can help. We’ve organized countless conferences in the country, and never had an issue getting participants their visas. So, get in touch. 

But for now, let’s look at the most common visa options for people attending an international conference in Ethiopia.

Visa Exemption

Ethiopia maintains visa exemption agreements with Djibouti and Kenya only. Citizens of these countries can enter Ethiopia without a prior visa application for up to 30 days. 

Also, holders of diplomatic or service passports of any country other than Pakistan and Somalia can enter visa-free for up to 3 months.

Business Visa

The Business Visa is issued to foreign nationals visiting Ethiopia for business-related purposes. Visitors can apply for this visa online or at the Ethiopian embassy or consulate in their home country. 

Citizens of Kenya and Djibouti can apply for a business visa upon arrival at the port of entry in Ethiopia. Everyone else must apply online or from an Ethiopian embassy or consulate in their home country.

The Ethiopia Business Visa can be subcategorized into:

Conference Visa

The Conference Visa is a 30-day single-entry visa issued to foreigners coming to Ethiopia for international conferences, seminars, or workshops organized by a ministry, government authority, private organization, or educational institution.

Your international event attendees need a Conference Visa for Ethiopia to enter the country, and must have an official invitation to attend a conference, seminar, or workshop in Ethiopia.

Your attendees can apply for the visas themselves via the official e-visa website.

The following is required:

• Recent passport-size photo, copy of passport of the applicant
• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia
• Invitation letter
• Application letter written by the inviting organization to the Immigration And Citizenship Service of Ethiopia
• Business License (renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting organization
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate (renewed for the fiscal year) of the inviting organization

The visa fee is $52, and the processing time usually takes 3 working days, but we advise that your attendees apply well in advance to account for any potential delays. 

Note that the conference visa can’t be extended, and validity starts from the intended entry date to Ethiopia. 

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Work Visa

An NGO visa is issued to foreign nationals invited by NGOs operating in Ethiopia for employment or short-term assignments. 

There are NGO visa types:

• The 30-days single-entry visa that costs $202
• The 90-days multiple-entry visa that costs $602

Unlike the Conference Visa, you can extend the NGO visa before it expires. Visitors who stay beyond their validity period without extending are subject to fines and legal penalties.

The following documents are needed when applying for an NGO visa:

• Recent passport-size photo of the applicant
• Passport of the visa applicant which is valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia
• Copy of NGO visa/last extended if recently extended
• A letter of support not expired more than one week from the international or continental organizations to which the person was invited
• If it’s a relief organization, the renewed recognition certificate of the organization
• TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) Certificate of the inviting organization

Journalist Visa

This visa is issued to foreign journalists, media professionals, or film makers, coming to cover events, report for media organizations or produce films, TV and written material.

The Journalist Visa is a single-entry 30-day visa. It costs $152 and can’t be extended

The processing time usually takes 3 working days, but we advise that your attendees apply well before their estimated arrival date.

Tourist Visa

A tourist visa is an electronic single-entry visa for people visiting Ethiopia for tourism or other non-business purposes only. 

Conference participants bringing their children must apply for a tourist visa for each child and their spouse (if applicable). 

Citizens of all countries are eligible for Ethiopia tourist visas if the below requirements are fulfilled:

• Recent passport-size photo of the applicant
• Passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia

Although the processing time for the tourist visa is 3 days, participants should apply well ahead of their estimated arrival date. 

The visa costs $82 for the 30-day single-entry visa and $202 for the 90-day single-entry visa. You can apply via the official website or the Diplomatic Mission of Ethiopia in your country of residence.

Visa-on-Arrival

Ethiopia offers a Visa-On-Arrival service for tourists from all African Union member states and a small number of other countries. Nationals of African Union member states can pay the visa fee in cash at Bole International Airport. 

Here’s a full list of the African Union member states:

And the remaining countries: 

Avoiding Scam Visa Websites

Many fraudulent visa websites issue fake visas or charge exorbitant processing fees. 

To avoid these, share a link to the official Ethiopian eVisa website with every participant at your conference. 

If you need assistance with visa applications for your conference, we can help. We have years of experience navigating Ethiopian immigration procedures for conferences and events. We’ll guide you through every step of the process and ensure no one gets refused entry. 

Get in touch.

How to Apply for a Visa to Ethiopia 

Ethiopia has an online visa application website for non-visa-exempt nationals. This process is quick and easy and can be completed anywhere in the world.

Applying Online

Your participants can apply for an e-visa online through the Ethiopian eVisa website. The application typically takes a few minutes to complete.

Once their application is submitted, they will typically receive a decision within three days. If their visas are approved, they can download and print their eVisas.

Here are some tips for helping your participants apply for Ethiopian eVisas:

• Encourage your participants to apply for their visas well before their travel date.
• Provide your participants with the link to the official Ethiopian eVisa website.
• Inform your participants of the required documentation for Ethiopian eVisas, which includes a valid passport, two passport-sized photographs, a letter of invitation from the event organizer (if attending an event), proof of hotel reservation, and a visa processing fee.
• Remind your participants to carefully review their visa applications before submitting them.

Applying at the Diplomatic Mission of Ethiopia

If your event participants cannot apply for an Ethiopian e-visa, they can apply at the diplomatic mission of Ethiopia in their home country.

International participants can find the visa application form and more information about the visa application process on the website of the diplomatic mission of Ethiopia in their home country.

The visa application process may vary depending on the country. Your participants should contact the diplomatic mission of Ethiopia in their home country to confirm the specific visa requirements based on their location and nationality.

Applying upon Arrival at the Port of Entry

Here are some tips for applying for a visa upon arrival at Bole International Airport (ADD):

• Arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight departure time.
• Have all of your documentation ready and organized.
• Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose and duration of your visit.
• Be polite and respectful to all immigration officials.

Requirements for entry into Ethiopia

Possession of a visa does not guarantee entry into Ethiopia. Additional entry requirements that must be met.

Passport Validity

All visitors to Ethiopia must have a valid passport for at least six months after the date of entry and at least one blank passport page.

Visa

All visitors to Ethiopia must have a valid visa. The type of visa required will depend on the nationality of the visitor and the purpose of their visit.

Visa-exempt nationals (Kenyans and Djibotians) can enter Ethiopia for up to 30 days without a visa. Non-visa-exempt nationals must apply for a visa in advance from an Ethiopian embassy or consulate in their home country. 

Visitors are expected to have enough money to cover their basic living expenses, such as food, accommodation, and transportation, for their stay.

Health

Ethiopia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if your event attendees arrive from a region where the virus is present. 

Proof of COVID-19 testing or vaccination to enter Ethiopia is no longer required. There is also no requirement to wear a mask in public except in medical facilities.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers to Ethiopia be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
• Polio
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies (if participating in outdoor activities)

If your event participants are not vaccinated against any of the diseases listed above, they should consult with a travel doctor to discuss their individual risk and the need for vaccination.

Invitation Letter

An invitation letter written by the inviting company/organization to the Immigration And Citizenship Service of Ethiopia is a required document for applying for a Business Visa to Ethiopia.

The letter should state the purpose of the visit, the dates of the visit, and the relationship between the inviting party and the visa applicant.

Return or Onward Ticket

All visitors to Ethiopia must have proof of onward travel, such as a return flight ticket or a visa for another country. This ensures that visitors do not plan to stay in Ethiopia illegally.

Accommodation

Accommodation details are not required in advance to enter Ethiopia. However, you should have something booked, especially if you arrive late at night or travel during peak season.

Need Help Applying for an Ethiopia Conference Visa

Our dedicated destination experts in Ethiopia will make your event planning enjoyable and stress-free.

We can assist you with all aspects of your event planning, from venue selection and transportation to entertainment and transportation – including visa applications.

Contact us today, and our local Addis Ababa team will be on hand to guide you through every step.