Different Types of Ethiopia Tourist Visas Explained

Ethiopia is a country with great history and magnificent topography; hence many tourists visit it every year. Whether people are hiking to visit the rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, navigating through mountainous terrains in Simien Mountains or enjoying the pulsating city life of Addis Ababa, they require the right visa to enter the country. There various types of visas that tourists can obtain for their travel to Ethiopia based on their countries and purposes of visit. This is because there are various types of visas such as the e-Visas, which will make traveling less stressful as it only requires visiting an embassy and submitting an application.

It is important for anyone traveling to Ethiopia to grasp the variety of Ethiopia Visa available on the market. Currently the country has standard type of visa which include E-Visa, Visa on Arrival, and Embassy Visa. Other types include the Conference Visa for travelers that may be attending a conference, or an exhibition. There must be the following permit when applying for a visa depending on nationality, duration of the planned stay, and the purpose of the stay. This paper provides the list of the visas, the easiest one to get, and some other information on visa for the intended tourist going to Ethiopia.

Types of Tourist Visa to Ethiopia

Ethiopia offers various types of tourist visas to enhance the convenience of visitors in obtaining a visa. Here are the main types:

1. E-Visa (Online Visa)

The most convenient option for travelers.
It is applied online before one arrives in Ethiopia.
Available for single entry.
Valid for either 30 or 90 days.
Fast processing time.

2. Visa on Arrival

Available for eligible travelers at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.
It is quite important to realize that there are no preceding applications made on the Internet.
It has the possibility of a stay of up to 90 days.
Only available to travelers from select countries.

3. Embassy Visa

Validity for those who are coming from countries that do not qualify for E-Visa or Visa on Arrival.
It must be lodged at an Ethiopian embassy or consulate of a country of applicant’s choice.
The time taken to process the application also depends on the nationality of the applicant.

4. Conference Visa

Targeted at the conferenced, event, or exhibit attendees who are tourists in Ethiopia.
Not a visa for tourism but a visa for a temporary stay in the country for social or business purposes.
It is normally done when invited by the organizers of the event.

Which Ethiopia tourist Visa is Easy to Obtain?

However, the E-Visa is the simplest to acquire due to the following reasons:

As an added advantage, applying for a visa through the Dutch VISA services does not require one to visit an embassy.
Faster processing – Approval is granted in cases within a few days only.
No lines – When arriving at the airport, the traveler is relieved from the experience of a long queue.
It is offered in 30 or 90-day package – Which allows choice based on the duration of the trip.

How Many Visa Types Are There in Ethiopia?

Currently Ethiopia has various visas that include:

Tourist Visas – E-Visa, Visa on Arrival, Embassy Visa.
Business Visas – For those who intend to engage in business within the host country and other business related activities.
Conference Visas – For attendees of events, conferences, or exhibitions.
Work Permits – Necessary for all foreign persons that aim to get a job in Ethiopia.
Diplomatic Visas – Issued to foreign diplomats and officials.

What are the provisions regarding Tier 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Visa in the case of Ethiopia?

As in many countries, there is no division of visas in groups like Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or Tier 5 in Ethiopia. Thus, the visa regime is based on the purpose of the visit to the USA, namely:

Tourist Visas – For leisure travelers.
Business Visas – For business-related visits.
Conference Visa – For inviting or attending conferences, meetings or any officially recognised events.
Employment Permits – For employment of more than three months in Ethiopia.
Diplomatic Visas – For government officials and diplomats.

Note: We Only Offer Tourist Visas, Not Business or Work Visas

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Different Types of Ethiopia Tourist Visas Explained