Visas on arrival are only available by arrivals by flight; arrivals by land must have a visa prior to entry. Entry into
Ethiopia is allowed only from
Addis Ababa International Airport, unless the Government has granted permission for another point of entry. Visitors eligible to obtain a visa on arrival require two passport photos; fees vary according to type of visa and length of stay.
Americans: US nationals require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business
visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
UK nationals: British nationals require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Passport holders endorsed British Citizen can obtain a tourist visa on arrival, which is valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance. Other
UK passport holders should check with their embassy in advance whether a visa is required or not.
Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
Australians: Australians require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
South Africans: South Africans require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport and a visa for travel to Ethiopia. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for one or three months; in some cases a business visa can also be obtained on arrival, but it is best to organize this in advance.
Health
Travelers to Ethiopia are recommended to have hepatitis A and cholera vaccines, as there have been recent outbreaks of these diseases. Malaria is prevalent in the low lands (below 6,562ft/2,000m) and altitude sickness may affect travelers to the highland areas such as Addis Ababa. Bilharzia is present in the majority of lakes in Ethiopia and travelers are advised to drink boiled or bottled water, as waterborne diseases are prevalent. Medical facilities are poor outside of Addis Ababa, where hospitals are available but medical supplies are erratic; visitors should bring their own regular medications with them and arrange comprehensive medical insurance before travel.
Safety
Visitors are cautioned to avoid all public demonstrations and large crowds, particularly in Addis Ababa, and to keep a low profile in public places. Travel to the Gambella region near the southern Sudanese border, as well as to within 12 miles (20km) of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions (military zones), should be avoided due to violent unrest and an unstable security situation. The border between
Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed. Traveling to
Somalia by road should also be avoided, as well as all travel east of Harar. There have been several recent explosions in Jijiga. Overland travel to
Sudan or
Kenya is dangerous due to armed bandits, and should only be attempted in a convoy. There is a high threat from local terrorism in the country, and although not directed at foreigners, visitors need to be cautious in public places. Flooding often affects Ethiopia between June and September each year, killing hundreds of people in flash floods in low-lying areas.
