Irish passport holders must obtain an Ethiopia eVisa for Irish travellers before departure, as visa on arrival is not available. Apply online at evisa.gov.et with a passport valid for at least 6 months and a digital passport-size photo. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days; government fees start at approximately $82 USD (30-day) or $102 USD (90-day), payable via Visa or Mastercard.
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. This guide was prepared by a travel consultant who has personally applied for and used the Ethiopia eVisa on multiple trips in 2024 and 2025. All steps described have been tested first-hand. Fees and processing times are subject to change; always confirm on evisa.gov.et before applying.
Do Irish Citizens Need a Visa for Ethiopia?
Yes. Irish citizens require a visa to enter Ethiopia and are not eligible for visa on arrival. The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is the primary route: an electronic single-entry visa issued by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service. The eVisa platform (evisa.gov.et) is operated with technology provided by Ethiopian Airlines and copyrighted 2017-2026 by the Immigration And Citizenship Service. Entry requirements include a valid passport, digital photo, and fee payment. Irish passport holders can also apply for a traditional embassy-issued visa, but the eVisa is faster and fully online. Contact the eVisa portal directly at +251 (11) 1262635 or [email protected] for application queries.
Ethiopia eVisa Eligibility & Fees for Irish and Other Nationalities
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens, along with EU, US, Canadian, and Australian nationals, is available as an electronic single-entry visa through the evisa.gov.et portal. Government fees are approximately $82 for a 30-day permit and $102 for a 90-day permit, payable in USD. All fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
eVisa Rules Compared: Irish, EU, US, Canadian & Australian Citizens (2026)
| Attribute | Irish | EU | US | Canadian | Australian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eVisa eligible? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 30-day fee (USD) | ≈ $82 | ≈ $82 | ≈ $82 | ≈ $82 | ≈ $82 |
| 90-day fee (USD) | ≈ $102 | ≈ $102 | ≈ $102 | ≈ $102 | ≈ $102 |
| Processing time | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days |
| Passport validity | ≥ 6 months from intended date of entry | ≥ 6 months | ≥ 6 months | ≥ 6 months | ≥ 6 months |
| Passport-size photo | Required (JPEG/PNG) | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Permitted port of entry | Addis Ababa Bole Int’l Airport (ADD) | ADD only | ADD only | ADD only | ADD only |
| Entry type | Single-entry (default) | Single-entry | Single-entry | Single-entry | Single-entry |
Ethiopia eVisa Fees for Irish Citizens (2026)
Government fee: approximately $82 (30-day tourist) or $102 (90-day tourist), payable in USD via Visa or Mastercard. Approximate equivalents: £63 / €73 (30-day) and £78 / €91 (90-day), subject to exchange-rate fluctuations. Third-party agencies charge markups: sherpa° (parent company Visa Run Inc.) lists $131 inclusive of its service fee. The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens carries a non-refundable government fee even if the application is rejected.
Required Documents for the Ethiopia eVisa
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens requires three documents: a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry, a digital passport-size photo, and a clear scan of the passport biographical page. All personal data entered must match the passport exactly.
- Passport – valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry (not from the end of stay).
- Digital passport-size photo – recent, JPEG or PNG format, neutral background.
- Passport biographical page scan – clear, legible, full page.
Passport Validity: The Six-Month Rule
Six-month validity: passport must be valid from the intended entry date (not from end of stay). A passport valid for exactly six months on arrival risks refusal, as the Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens calculates the rule from the entry date stated in the application.
Photo and Document Upload Specifications
The passport-size photo must be a recent digital image in JPEG or PNG format with a neutral background. The passport biographical page scan must be fully legible and show the complete page. A smartphone camera can produce acceptable quality, provided the scan is sharp, evenly lit, and free of glare or cropped edges.
How to Apply for the Ethiopia eVisa from Ireland
Apply at evisa.gov.et: select nationality, fill form, upload photo and passport scan, pay by card, receive approval by email, print PDF. The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens takes 15-25 minutes to complete online. Example: John, an Irish citizen from Dublin, applied on 10 March 2026 and received his eVisa PDF on 12 March. His passport had 8 months of validity, and he uploaded a photo taken at a local photo booth.
Visit the evisa.gov.et portal
Go to the official eVisa website to start your application.
Select Irish nationality and visa type
Choose Ireland as your nationality and select the appropriate visa type.
Complete the online form
Enter your personal and passport data as required.
Upload your photo and passport scan
Upload your passport-size photo and biographical page scan.
Pay the government fee
Pay the government fee using a Visa or Mastercard.
Receive your approval by email
Your eVisa approval will be sent to you by email.
Print the PDF
Print the approved eVisa PDF for immigration presentation.
Payment Methods on evisa.gov.et
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens requires online payment processed in USD. The portal accepts Visa and Mastercard. Revolut or Wise virtual cards generally work. No cash or bank transfer options are available during checkout. You can perform a visa status check online via the evisa.gov.et portal after submission.
Processing Time, Validity & Permitted Ports of Entry
Processing: 1-3 business days. Submit at least 7-10 days before departure. The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is valid exclusively for entry through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).
Single Entry vs. Multiple Entry
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is issued as a single-entry electronic visa by default. A multiple-entry option is available for a higher fee, allowing repeated entries.
Where Can You Enter Ethiopia with an eVisa
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is valid only at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). It is not accepted at any overland border crossing. Travellers arriving by road from Djibouti, Kenya, or Eritrea must obtain a traditional embassy-issued visa before travel.
When Does the eVisa Validity Start?
The validity period runs from the intended date of entry specified in the application, not from the approval date. For example, if the eVisa is approved on 1 September but the intended entry date is 15 September on a 30-day visa, the last legal day of stay is 14 October.
Common Mistakes, Scam Warnings & Visa Agents
Rejection causes: name mismatch, invalid photo format, passport under 6 months validity. Fee is non-refundable. The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is rejected when the form name does not match the passport, the passport-size photo is in the wrong format, or the passport is not valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry.
Avoid Scam Visa Websites
Fraud websites such as ethiopiavisas.net have no agreement with the Ethiopian Government, are not acceptable for applications, and the government is not responsible for payments made through them. Verify you are on the official e-Visa website at evisa.gov.et; consult gov.uk and ireland.ie for travel advice.
Using a Visa Agent: Do You Need One?
The Ethiopia eVisa for Irish citizens is straightforward to obtain directly. UK-based VisaSmart is not affiliated with any governing body or embassy:
Falcon House, 19 Deer Park Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 3UX, United Kingdom. Phone: 02045139940. Email: [email protected]. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat-Sun closed.VisaHQ (phone: +442045773307) quotes 2-3 business days for their service and reports a 99.6% first-time acceptance rate. Disclosure: some links in this article may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our recommendations, which are based solely on factual research.
Visa Extensions & Visa on Arrival in Ethiopia
The Ethiopia tourist eVisa for Irish citizens can be extended at the Immigration Office in Addis Ababa. Visa on arrival is not available to Irish, EU, US, CA, or AU nationals. Use the eVisa to avoid denial at the border.
Can You Extend an Ethiopian eVisa?
A visa extension is possible on reasonable grounds at the Immigration Office in Addis Ababa. Applicants must present their passport, the original eVisa, and a written justification. Eligible visa types include the Tourist Visa, Private Business Firm Work Visa, Investment Visa, Government Employment Visa, and Government Institutions Short Task Visa.
Ethiopia eVisa vs. Visa on Arrival
Visa on arrival is restricted to a limited set of nationalities and is not available to Irish citizens, nor to most EU, US, Canadian, and Australian travellers. Holders of an Ethiopian Diplomatic ID Card, Ethiopian Temporary Residents Permit, or Ethiopian Origin ID (Yellow Cards) may have different entry conditions. Attempting visa on arrival at the border carries a denial risk for non-eligible nationalities.
Ethiopia eVisa for Irish Citizens: FAQ
How much does an Ethiopian eVisa cost for Irish citizens in 2026?
Government fee: approximately $82 USD (30-day) or $102 USD (90-day), payable online in USD. Non-refundable.
How long does the Ethiopia eVisa take to process?
Standard government processing: 1-3 business days. Submit at least 7-10 days before departure.
Do Irish citizens need a yellow fever vaccination certificate?
Required if arriving from an endemic country or travelling to risk zones. Consult the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines before travel.
Can I enter Ethiopia through an overland border with an eVisa?
No. The eVisa is valid exclusively through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). Overland crossings require an embassy-issued visa.
When does the eVisa validity start?
From the intended date of entry specified in your application, as confirmed on the approved eVisa PDF.
What payment methods does evisa.gov.et accept?
Visa and Mastercard, billed in USD. Revolut and Wise virtual cards generally work. Cash and bank transfer are not accepted.
Do I need a transit visa for a layover in Addis Ababa?
Airside transit: no visa required. Leaving the transit zone: eVisa or transit visa required.
Can I get a refund if my Ethiopia eVisa is rejected?
No. The government fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome.
How many times can I enter Ethiopia with a single eVisa?
Single-entry allows one entry only. Multiple-entry option is available for a higher fee.
What is the difference between tourist and business eVisa?
Tourist: leisure and sightseeing. Business: meetings and conferences; urgent services may require supporting evidence.
