Is it safe to travel to Ethiopia right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Ethiopia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Ethiopia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how Ethiopia’s entry requirements apply to you, contact the Ethiopian Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must be:

• valid for at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Ethiopia
• machine-readable

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Ethiopia for tourism or business.

You do not need a visa if you have a valid Ethiopian Diplomatic ID Card, Ethiopian Temporary Residents Permit or Ethiopian Origin ID (Yellow Cards).

Applying for a visa

We recommend UK nationals apply online for tourist and business visas before arrival.

You will need to provide a scanned colour copy of your passport and a colour passport sized photo. Get a 30-day single entry tourist visa from the official Ethiopian e-visa platform.

If you visit Ethiopia on a tourist visa, you cannot take employment, including voluntary employment. If you break the rules, you can get heavy fines or be imprisoned.

Check what type of visa you need for business, work, study or other reasons. Journalists will also need to obtain Media Arrival entry clearance via the Arrival Clearance Portal.

You can apply for an official extension of 30 or 90 more days before your visa expires. You need to go in person to the Head Office of the Immigration and Citizenship Service in Addis Ababa.

Leave the country before your visa or your extension expires. The penalty for overstaying is 30 US dollars a day. You will not be allowed to leave until you pay in full.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Ethiopia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Ethiopia guide.

You may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries, due to the risk of yellow fever in Ethiopia.

Mpox screening

Travellers arriving from some countries are required to complete an Ethiopian Ministry of Health survey before arrival, if they are visiting Ethiopia or making a transit stop which includes movement outside of the airport. Check with your airline if the country you are traveling from requires this.

You could be required to undergo testing or treatment if you have symptoms.

Health screening

Travellers from some countries may be required to complete a health declaration form if they are visiting or transiting through Ethiopia. Check with the airline if the country you are travelling from requires this.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that you can take into or out of Ethiopia.

If you plan to take in specialist equipment, such as filming or audio equipment, the Ethiopian Embassy in London advises you check with your tour operator or local contact before you travel as special customs regulations may apply.

Contact the Ethiopian Embassy Press Office for more information and advice.

Taking money into and out of Ethiopia

You can carry up to 3,000 Ethiopian birr when entering or leaving Ethiopia. An exception is when travelling to Djibouti from Ethiopia, in which case you can carry up to 10,000 birr. If you are found with more than the legal limits, customs authorities can seize your cash and you could get a prison sentence.

When you enter or leave Ethiopia, you must declare any cash over 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent in other currencies). Residents of Ethiopia, including resident British nationals, must declare any cash over 4,000 US dollars.

If you leave Ethiopia with cash above these amounts, you must show officials the customs declaration form you got when you entered Ethiopia, or the bank advice note if you purchased currency locally.

If entering Ethiopia through a land border you must declare cash worth over 500 US dollars.

Keep your receipt if you change currency into birr. Without a receipt you are unlikely to be able to change leftover money back at the end of your trip.

Khat

Khat is legal in Ethiopia but it is illegal to take it out of the country. Customs officials regularly search luggage at Addis Ababa Bole Airport. Anyone found with khat is likely to be prosecuted.

Antiques

You need an export certificate to take antiques out of the country. If you do not have one, border officials are likely to confiscate your items if they find them. You could be arrested and prosecuted by the authorities.

It is illegal to buy or possess ivory – even your own pieces brought in with you. British nationals have had ivory jewellery confiscated and the authorities have imposed fines of up to 25,000 birr (about £220).

Satellite phones, binoculars and drones

It’s illegal to import or export satellite phones, binoculars or drones to or from Ethiopia without prior approval from the Customs and Information Network and Security Agency. Get advice from your travel provider on permissions required.

Unapproved items can be confiscated by authorities. You may be able to collect them on departure from Ethiopia, but this is not guaranteed.

Entry and overstay fines

You must have your passport stamped immediately upon entry into Ethiopia. You must also either leave Ethiopia or request an extension before you overstay your visa.

If you do not comply, you could face heavy entry and overstay fines.

For more information on entry and overstay fines

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Ethiopia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Transit visa: required

You must have a valid visa to enter the country, which can be obtained online.

Ethiopian e-Visa platform – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Entry and overstay fines

Ensure that the Ethiopian authorities stamp your passport when you arrive.

If you need to extend your stay beyond the period authorized by your visa, you must apply for an extension at the Head Office of the Immigration and Citizenship Service in Addis Ababa before your visa expires.

You will face heavy fines and possibly arrest and detention if you do not comply. These fines increase each day you remain in Ethiopia without a stamped passport or after the period permitted by your visa.

You will not be permitted to leave Ethiopia until you have paid all entry and overstay fines in full.

Dual citizenship

Ethiopia does not recognize dual citizenship. Persons who acquires Canadian citizenship will automatically lose their Ethiopian citizenship, including the right to reside in Ethiopia.

This also applies to children born in Ethiopia, including those who have Ethiopian parents. Confirm with immigration authorities that you and your child are authorized to stay in Ethiopia.

Failure to maintain a valid immigration status results in fines, which increase with each day of non‑compliance.

Useful links

Dual citizens

About consular services

Working and volunteering

You cannot perform any type of work, including volunteer work, on a tourist visa. Make sure you obtain a visa that matches the purpose of your stay; otherwise, you may face heavy fines and possible detention.

Land border crossings

Authorities may request additional documents if you enter Ethiopia by vehicle at certain border crossings. Contact local authorities to determine specific entry requirements at land border crossings.

Immigration officials may not be present at some border crossings when you arrive.

• Cross only at official crossings
• Always ensure that your passport is stamped upon entry
• Immediately declare your presence to the nearest local authorities if you were unable to obtain an entry stamp

Failure to have your passport stamped upon entry could result in arrest, detention, and heavy fines.

Electronics and military equipment

You may not bring or transit through Ethiopia with many consumer electronics, including items that customs officials could consider having military applications. This could apply even to items commercially purchased, with no obvious military applications. Items include but are not limited to:

• satellite phones
• binoculars
• drones
• rangefinders

If you attempt to enter Ethiopia with any of these items without prior authorization, customs officials may confiscate them. You could also face arrest and detention. Confiscated items on entry may not be returned upon departure.

Foreign representatives in Canada

Cell phones

You may bring one mobile phone into Ethiopia for personal use, but it must be registered with the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority for it to function. Phones can be registered at Bole International Airport or at any shop of the main cellular provider. Any additional devices are subject to both a customs fee and an activation fee.

Computers and audiovisual equipment

You must declare all laptop computers and video equipment other than those for personal use upon arrival and departure. Some recording devices may require special customs permits.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).