In 2026, the Ethiopia eVisa cost ranges from $32 (£25) for a 30-day business visa to $72 (£57) for a 90-day tourist visa. A standard 30-day tourist eVisa costs $52 (£41). All fees are set by the government and charged in USD on the evisa.gov.et portal. Last updated: 2026.
UK travellers can apply online via the evisa.gov.et portal, where all fees are processed in USD. The payment gateway adds a ~$10 surcharge at checkout, so a 30-day tourist eVisa totals ~$62 (~£49), not the advertised $52. Online processing takes ~24 hours.
What Is the Ethiopia eVisa and Why It Matters for UK Travellers
The Ethiopia eVisa is an electronic travel permit required for UK passport holders, applied for online at evisa.gov.et. The portal is powered by Ethiopian Airlines and operated by the Immigration and Citizenship Service (copyright 2017-2026). The system launched on 12 June 2017 and achieved universal eligibility by June 2018. Fees range from $32 for the shortest business visa to $150 for a multiple-entry embassy visa, a 4.7x difference depending on category. Syria is currently listed as an ineligible country.
UK passport holders must present a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the intended entry date. The Ethiopia eVisa cost for 2026 covers tourist, business, and transit categories, with prices set in USD on the portal. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Ethiopia.
Beware of fraudulent websites. The portal lists www.ethiopiavisas.net as an unauthorised URL. Only use evisa.gov.et.
Ethiopian eVisa Fee Overview 2026 – All Visa Types at a Glance
The Ethiopia eVisa cost in 2026 spans six visa categories with government fees ranging from $32 (£25) for a 30-day business e-Visa to $150 (£118) for a multiple-entry embassy tourist visa. All GBP equivalents below use the Bank of England exchange rate of approximately $1 = £0.79. Standard e-Visas are single-entry; multiple-entry is available only through embassy or consular application. Processing on the online portal at evisa.gov.et takes approximately 24 hours (up to 72 hours in exceptional cases), while embassy processing requires 1-3 business days.
| Visa Type | Validity | Entry | USD | GBP (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-Visa | 30 days | Single | $52 | £41 |
| Tourist e-Visa | 90 days | Single | $72 | £57 |
| Business e-Visa | 30 days | Single | $32 | £25 |
| NGO Work Visa (NV) | 30 days | Single | $32 | £25 |
| Conference e-Visa (CV) | Varies | – | Portal quote | – |
| Investment e-Visa (IV) | Varies | – | Portal quote | – |
Portal quotes in USD; GBP estimates depend on the exchange rate at payment. Conference and investment e-Visas require an invitation letter or Business Support Letter from the nearest Embassy of Ethiopia, and final fees are confirmed during the online application.
Tourist, Business & Transit eVisa Fees Breakdown
Tourist eVisa Fees – 30-Day and 90-Day
The 30-day tourist eVisa costs $52 (£41) and the 90-day version $72 (£57), both single-entry (code VT, tourism only). The Ethiopia eVisa cost for embassy alternatives is $60 single-entry or $150 multiple-entry, available only through consular application. Required documents include a passport scan (minimum 6 months validity) and a digital passport-type photo taken within the last 6 months against a white background. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. All e-Visa categories permit entry solely through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Work is prohibited on a tourist visa; a new visa is required for re-entry after departure.
Business eVisa Fees
The Ethiopia eVisa cost for a business visa in 2026 is $32 (£25) for a 30-day single-entry permit, requiring an invitation letter from the inviting company or organisation. Validity starts on the intended entry date. Sub-categories include the NGO Work Visa (code NV, $32/£25, cannot be extended) and the Conference e-Visa (code CV, requires an invitation letter from the inviting organisation). The Investment e-Visa (code IV) requires a Business Support Letter from the nearest Embassy of Ethiopia. Business e-Visa applicants requesting urgent service must provide supporting evidence or reason; no separate expedited fee is published by the portal.
Ethiopia Transit Visa Fees 2026 & Airside Exemption Rules
Airside transit at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is free – no visa is required if passengers remain in the international transit zone and do not pass the Immigration Desk. Passengers who need to exit the international zone (e.g., overnight layover or hotel stay) must obtain a standard tourist e-Visa at $52 (£41) for 30 days. The Ethiopia eVisa cost structure thus creates a clear divide: zero-fee airside transit versus paid entry for those leaving the airport. Visa on Arrival is available for 93 eligible countries and territories at the same government fee ($52 for 30 days, $72 for 90 days), accepting card payments in USD, EUR, GBP, or CAD. Ethiopian Airlines advises securing the approved e-Visa before departure, as the payment receipt alone is not accepted as arrival authorisation.
Complete Ethiopia eVisa Fee Table 2026: GBP and USD
The complete Ethiopia eVisa cost spans $32 (£25) for a 30-day business eVisa to $150 (£118) for a multiple-entry embassy tourist visa.
| Visa Type | Duration | Entry | Gov. Fee (USD) | Gov. Fee (GBP est.) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-Visa | 30 days | Single | $52 | £41 | 24 h (up to 72 h) |
| Tourist e-Visa | 90 days | Single | $72 | £57 | 24 h (up to 72 h) |
| Embassy Tourist | N/A | Single | $60 | £47 | 1-3 business days |
| Embassy Tourist | N/A | Multiple | $150 | £118 | 1-3 business days |
| Business e-Visa | 30 days | Single | $32 | £25 | 24 h (up to 72 h) |
| NGO Work Visa | 30 days | Single | $32 | £25 | 24 h (up to 72 h) |
| Transit (Airside) | N/A | N/A | Free | Free | N/A |
| Visa on Arrival | 30 days | Single | $52 | £41 | On arrival |
| Visa on Arrival | 90 days | Single | $72 | £57 | On arrival |
The Ethiopia eVisa cost figures shown are GBP estimates based on the Bank of England exchange rate: $1 ≈ £0.79 (2026). Verify current fees on the evisa.gov.et portal before applying.
Ethiopia eVisa Cost for UK Travellers – Real GBP Budget Guide
The Ethiopia eVisa cost for UK travellers extends beyond the published government fee, as the online payment gateway applies a processing surcharge at checkout. The ~$10 surcharge was confirmed by applicant reports on Reddit (r/Ethiopia) between 2025 and 2026, all using the evisa.gov.et portal.
| Visa Type | Government Fee (GBP) | Processing Surcharge | Real Total (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day tourist | £41 | ~£8 | ~£49 |
| 90-day tourist | £57 | ~£11 | ~£68 |
| 30-day business | £25 | ~£5 | ~£30 |
The Ethiopia eVisa cost in GBP uses the Bank of England exchange rate of $1 ≈ £0.79. A family of four (two adults and two children) applying for 30-day tourist eVisas would pay approximately ~£196 in total, as every traveller including infants requires a separate application at the full fee with no child discount.
To minimise additional charges, UK applicants should pay in USD using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Monzo or Starling, avoiding the typical 2.5-3% bank conversion surcharge on GBP-denominated cards.
Where to Apply and What It Costs – Portal vs Embassy vs Visa on Arrival
The Ethiopia eVisa cost for a 30-day tourist visa is $52 on the evisa.gov.et portal, compared to $60 at the embassy and $52 for Visa on Arrival. The Ethiopia eVisa cost for embassy multiple-entry reaches $150.
The embassy accepts only money orders payable to the Embassy of Ethiopia and is located at 3506 International Dr NW, Washington, DC 20008. Drop-off hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM, with phone inquiries at +1 202 587 1684 from 2 PM to 4 PM.
| Channel | Fee (USD) | Processing | Payment / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Portal | $52 (30-day) / $72 (90-day) | ~24 hours | Visa/Mastercard in USD. |
| Embassy | $60 single / $150 multiple | 1 to 3 business days | Money order only. Multiple-entry available exclusively here. |
| Visa on Arrival | $52 / $72 | On arrival | Bole Airport. 93 eligible countries. Card payments in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD. |
| Third-Party Agents | $121 total (VisaHQ) / €50 fee (Netafri) | Varies | VisaHQ includes $62 embassy fee + $59 service fee. Netafri adds €50 to the government fee. |
Payment, Surcharges & Hidden Costs
The Ethiopia eVisa cost at checkout exceeds the advertised government fee by approximately $10, raising a 30-day tourist visa from $52 to roughly $62 total. This Ethiopia eVisa cost discrepancy is not published by the portal; the figure reflects applicant reports on Reddit (r/Ethiopia) confirmed between 2025 and 2026.
Third-party agents add further charges. VisaHQ applies a $59 service fee on top of its $62 embassy fee, totalling $121. Netafri charges a €50 service fee alongside the government fee.
UK cardholders paying in USD face a 2.5-3% foreign transaction fee unless using a no-FTF card such as Monzo, Starling, or Revolut.
| Channel | Base Fee | Surcharge / Service | Total (USD) | Total (GBP est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online portal (evisa.gov.et) | $52 | ~$10 | ~$62 | ~£49 |
| VisaHQ | $62 | $59 | $121 | ~£96 |
| Netafri | Gov fee | €50 | Varies | Varies |
Payment methods differ by channel: the portal accepts Visa/Mastercard in USD; the embassy accepts money orders only (no cash, debit, credit, or personal checks); Visa on Arrival accepts card payments in USD, EUR, GBP, or CAD. This is an informational resource, not a government portal.
Overstay Penalties & Visa Extension Costs
The Ethiopia eVisa cost does not include any statutory extension fee, as extensions are processed separately and payable in Ethiopian Birr (ETB) at the Immigration & Citizenship Service office in Addis Ababa.
Only tourist eVisas are eligible for extension. Applicants must apply in person before the visa expires, with a valid visa and reasonable grounds. The exact extension fee is not published online; travellers should contact evisa.gov.et support at [email protected] or phone +251 (11) 1262635 for current rates. The NGO Work Visa (code NV) cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Overstaying results in fines and legal penalties assessed at immigration control upon departure, per both evisa.gov.et and netafri.com. A 30-day tourist visa expiring on 15 October, for example, must be extended before that date at the Addis Ababa office; failure to do so triggers daily fines until departure and may lead to additional entry bans.
The Ethiopia eVisa cost for extensions cannot be settled online; only the Addis Ababa office accepts in-person applications and ETB payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Ethiopia eVisa cost in 2026?
A 30-day tourist eVisa costs $52 (£41) and a 90-day tourist eVisa costs $72 (£57). Business eVisas start at $32 (£25). All fees are government-set and paid in USD on the evisa.gov.et portal.
Do children need a separate eVisa and is there a reduced fee?
Yes, every traveller including infants and children requires a separate eVisa application at the same government fee. There is no child or family discount. A family of four applying for 30-day tourist eVisas would pay $208 (£164) in government fees alone.
Can I get a refund if my Ethiopia eVisa is rejected or I cancel my trip?
No. All Ethiopian eVisa application fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome (approval, rejection, or cancellation). This policy is set by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service.
Do I need a transit visa for a layover at Addis Ababa Bole Airport?
No, if you remain in the international transit zone and do not pass through Immigration. Airside transit passengers do not need a visa and pay no fee. If you need to leave the airport, you require a standard tourist e-Visa from $52 (£41).
Is the Ethiopia eVisa fee the same for single-entry and multiple-entry?
No. Standard e-Visas are single-entry only. Multiple-entry tourist visas ($150 / £118) are available only through embassy or consular application, not through the online portal.
Can I pay for my Ethiopia eVisa in British Pounds (GBP)?
The portal charges in USD by default. UK travellers using a GBP-denominated card will face a bank conversion fee (typically 2.5% to 3%) unless using a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.
Is there an expedited processing option for urgent travel?
The online portal’s standard processing is approximately 24 hours (up to 72 hours in peak periods). Business e-Visa applicants may be asked for supporting evidence of urgency, but no separate expedited fee is published by the portal.
How long does it take to get an Ethiopia eVisa?
Embassy applications take 1 to 3 business days. Ethiopian Airlines advises securing the approved e-Visa before departure as the payment receipt alone is not accepted as arrival authorisation.
