Ethiopia Travel Guide

Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
British	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes/1	Yes

Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following: 
(a) transit passengers continuing to a third country within 12 hours, provided not leaving the airport and holding valid travel documents for onward destination.
1. Some tourist visas can be issued on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to:
(a) Foreign nationals coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian mission.
(b) Foreign nationals coming from and who are permanent residents in any of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK and USA.
 Note: If applying for a tourist visa on arrival, visitors will require two passport photographs and US$20; application can take up to two hours.

Visa Note

(a) An exit permit is required by all nationals of Ethiopia and visitors staying more than 30 days. (b) Journalists should contact the Ethiopian embassy press office in advance of applying for a visa. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist: £14 (single-entry, one month); £22 (multiple-entry, three months); £30 (multiple-entry, six months). Business: £14 (single-entry, one month); £22 (multiple-entry, three months); £36 (multiple-entry, six months); £72 (multiple-entry, one year). Transit: £14 (single-entry); £22 (double-entry).

Note: Tourist visa for American Citizens: £51; Single/double entry transit visas for American Citizens: £29; 
Two-year student visa for American Citizens: £29

Validity

Tourist: Single-entry visas are valid for 30 days, multiple-entry visas are valid for three or six months. Business: Single-entry visas are valid for 30 days, multiple-entry visas are valid for three, six months or one year. Applications for extensions should be made to the Immigration Department in Ethiopia. Transit: Seven days.

Note: Visas are valid from the date of issue, not from the date of entry; visas cannot be post-dated.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy; see Contact Addresses) in person or by post. For application on arrival, see below.

Working Days Required

Two to three days, longer if application is by post. Applications by journalists and photographers may take up to two weeks.

Travel Warnings

The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed. Several security incidents have taken place along the border, particularly in the Humera region. The risk of cross-border tensions increasing and the security situation deteriorating very rapidly continues.

With the exception of the main road through Axum and Adigrat, travelers are advised against all travel within 50km (31 miles) of the border areas with Eritrea because of the risk of landmines and banditry.

Travelers are also advised against all travel to areas off the principal roads/towns within 50km (31 miles) of the borders with Sudan and Kenya; to the Danakil desert area bounded by the Dessie-Adigrat road, the Dessie-Djibouti road and to the Gambella region outside of Gambella town itself. This is because armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several of these border areas.

Avoid crossing the Ethiopia/Somalia or Somaliland border by road. Travelers are also advised against travel to the Fik, Degehabur, Gode, Korahe and Warder zones of the Somali region, where rebels groups are active and the situation remains volatile. This is because of ongoing military activity and lawlessness in the region. We also advise against all but essential travel to Jijiga town.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Ethiopia; attacks could be indiscriminate including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. As of the beginning of December 2008 the Ethiopian authorities remain on alert following their announcement in November 2008 that they had information about plans to carry out a terrorist attack in Ethiopia. As a result security has been increased around government buildings and major hotels in the capital Addis Ababa and Embassies, including the British Embassy. British nationals are advised to remain extremely vigilant at all times in public places.

There is a low level of crime, but you should avoid any public demonstrations.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Health facilities are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate outside the city. Travelers should bring their own prescription drugs accompanied by a doctor's note. The high altitude and low oxygen level of much of Ethiopia need time to be acclimatized to. Anyone who suffers from heart ailments or high blood pressure should consult a doctor before traveling. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Vaccinations

Vaccination	Special Precaution
Diphtheria	Yes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Typhoid	Yes
Yellow Fever	Yes*