Ethiopia Visa from Dubai – How to Apply, Documents Required & Process Time

Ethiopia Tourist Visa – Things to Know Before You Apply

• Note that the term ‘visa validity’ usually indicates the duration within which you need to make your trip. However, when it comes to the Ethiopian e-Visa, the visa validity begins on the date you enter Ethiopia, and not from the date that the e-Visa was issued.
• Your e-Visa will be valid for 30 or 90 days from your date of arrival in Ethiopia. Your e-Visa validity depends on the type of e-Visa you choose.
• The duration of your stay cannot exceed the validity period of your e-Visa. For example, if you have a 30-day e-Visa and you decide to travel 10 days later, you can stay in Ethiopia only for 20 days. If you have a 90-day validity and you travel 10 days after visa issuance, you can stay in Ethiopia only for 80 days.
• Ethiopian e-Visas are usually issued within 24 hours. We recommend that you apply for the e-Visa at least 3 days before your planned trip.
• Also, note that the Ethiopian e-Visa is meant only for tourist purposes. You are not to solicit for work or attend training using this visa.
• The Ethiopian e-Visa is valid only if you travel by air and land at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. If you’re going to travel by sea, this visa will not be applicable.
• The Ethiopian e-Visa is a single entry visa. If you want to visit the country again, you’ll have to apply for another e-Visa. Or you can apply for a regular tourist visa at your local Ethiopian consulate.
• If you’re traveling with children, you must have valid birth certificates for each of them. If the children are adopted, then be sure to carry the adoption certificate.
• As of July 2018, Ethiopia is allowing nationals of 36 different nations to obtain a single-entry visa upon arrival at Addis Ababa. If you’re a national of one of these 36 countries and you’re living in the UAE, you might not need to apply for a visa at all. Check the list of countries on the Ethiopian Immigration site.

The Ethiopian Online Visa: e-Visa

Nationals of all countries are now eligible to apply for an Ethiopian online visa (e-Visa). This means you don’t have to visit the consulate to apply for a regular tourist e-visa. You can fill out the application form, input the required information and submit the documents asked for, and pay your fees online. You will be issued an e-Visa from the Ethiopian Main Department of Immigration and Nationality Affairs. The e-Visa will arrive directly to your email.

What You Need To Do To Obtain the e-Visa

In order to obtain the Ethiopian e-Visa, you need to do the following:

• Download the Ethiopian e-Visa application form and fill it without leaving out a single field. Review the information at least once.
• Gather electronic copies of all the following documents:

1. Copy of your passport; your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in Ethiopia. Make sure that you scan the passport bio page and the back page.
2. If you’re living in Dubai on a residence permit, be sure to upload that document so that your actual residential status is clear. You will be required to show your residential permit to the immigration authorities when you land in Ethiopia as well.
3. Digital copy of a recently-taken passport-size photo, taken on a white background.
4. Your debit card, credit card or PayPal information for payment.
5. Upload all of these documents along with your filled-up application form. Once you submit all your documents, you can select one of the three following processing times for your e-Visa:
6. Standard Processing: 3 business days
7. Rush Processing: 2 business days
8. Super Rush Processing: 1 business day
9. The payment for your e-Visa will be accordingly deducted from your credit card, debit card or PayPal account.

Procedure to Apply For an Ethiopian Tourist Visa Stamp

In order to successfully obtain your Ethiopian tourist visa stamp, contact Rayna Tours and Travels in Dubai. Obtain an Ethiopian tourist visa application form from them. To apply for an Ethiopian tourist visa stamp, you will need the following documents:

• An original, signed passport is valid for 6 months after your departure from Ethiopia. Make sure there’s at least one blank page for the visa stamping, not any amendment pages located in your passport’s back.
• Duly filled and signed the Ethiopia Visa Application Form and a copy of it.
• A recent passport picture, 2 inches by 2 inches in color on a white background, matt, with a clear front view. Headgear and eyeglasses are not permitted in the photo.
• Complete flight itinerary or copies of airline tickets with entry and departure dates clearly provided.
• International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
• If not a citizen of the UAE, then a copy of your residency visa.
• Bank statement covering 3 to 6 months of transactions, to indicate your ability to support yourself while in Ethiopia

How to Submit Your Documents

Gather all these documents and hand them over to your Rayna representative, who will submit your application form for you at the Ethiopian Consulate General in Dubai. Your visa may take a few days to process, but you don’t need to follow up with it. Rayna Tours and Travels will take care of all the formalities. If additional documents are required, they will inform you and you can get them ready. Your visa will be stamped on your passport.

Multiple Entry Visas

By default, only single-entry visas are issued. If you want a multiple entry visa, make it clear in the application form, and let your Rayna representative know about it. Multiple entry visas are valid for three to six months.

Visa Extension

You are not allowed to stay on in Ethiopia after your visa validity expires. If you need an extension on your visa, you can get in touch with the visa representatives at Rayna Tours and we can get the job done.

Reasons why Ethiopia Visa Application Gets Rejected

• If there are errors in your application form or documents, your visa application would get delayed or rejected completed.
• Less than 6 months of validity in your passport (from the date of traveling) can also cause rejection of the Ethiopia visa application.
• Not fulfilling certain vaccination requirements can also lead to rejection of visa application for Ethiopia travel.

Ethiopia Visa Process Time and Fee 

• Ethiopia 30 Days Visa: AED 357.25
• Ethiopia 90 Days Visa: AED 461.25
• Ethiopia 90 Days Multiple Entry Visa: AED 513.00

Process Time: Usually 3 working days.

Things to Know Before You Visit Ethiopia

• Best Time to Visit Ethiopia

Although Ethiopia is a tropical country, the place enjoys a moderate climate, with the weather being chillier in hilly areas. Still, the best time to visit the country is between October and February, when the climate is pleasant. Ethiopia enjoys the wet season between March and September, with June and July experiencing the heaviest rains. March and April are a great time to travel if you want to save money. The rains are not too heavy, and you would find some amazing discounts on tours and accommodation.

• Where to Stay in Ethiopia

From budget hotels to luxury ones, there is no dearth of good places to stay in Ethiopia. You would have to book the hotels in advance before you visit Ethiopia, especially if you are traveling during peak season.

• Traveling Tips to Ethiopia

  • The currency of Ethiopia is Birr. While most big hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, it would always be better to carry a bit of cash with you. You can get some exchanged at the airport or use an ATM to withdraw cash.
  • One of the cheapest ways of traveling within Ethiopia is by domestic flights. You can also opt for buses if you want to have a bit more local experience. Taxis are a great way of commuting within cities and towns.
  • The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic and moreover, the country has 83 more official languages. However, English is widely spoken. Still, it would always be better to hire a guide if you want to explore the remote areas of Ethiopia, where people do not speak or understand English.
  • Ethiopia has its own calendar and time system. Hence, you must always confirm whether they are talking about Ethiopian time or international time while booking tickets or making reservations.
  • Most stores and other businesses close for lunch between 12 PM and 2 PM.
  • The temperature in Ethiopia can drop a bit in the evening, and hence it would be best to pack a jacket, sweater, and shawl.
  • Ethiopia is generally considered a safe country. However, you must take precautions to keep yourself and your valuables safe.
  • Street food in Ethiopia is cheap as well as safe.

Conclusion

So what are you waiting for? Ethiopia with its rich culture and abundant natural landscapes await! Addis Ababa is a thriving city with a vibrant shopping and nightlife. You’ll have great fun in Ethiopia. Good luck with your visa!