For an Ethiopia eVisa in 2026, UK travellers need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry, 2 consecutive blank visa pages, and a colour digital scan of the bio-data page in JPEG or PNG format, maximum 2 MB, at 300 DPI or higher. Missing any requirement causes automatic rejection.
The eVisa is a single-entry electronic visa valid for 30 days ($62, ~£50) or 90 days ($152, ~£122) from your intended entry date. The application fee is non-refundable, and the visa is linked to your passport number, so renewing your passport after approval invalidates the eVisa.
This page was last reviewed on 9 September 2026. Ethiopia eVisa rules and fees change frequently; always double-check the official portal evisa.gov.et before paying. This is independent travel guidance, not an official Ethiopian government page. The only official eVisa application portal is evisa.gov.et. Beware of fraudulent sites such as www.ethiopia-evisa.com and www.ethiopiavisas.net. Editorially reviewed by our travel-visa compliance team.
Ethiopia eVisa Passport Validity Rules
6-Month Validity Rule Explained for UK Travellers
Ethiopia eVisa passport validity benchmarks the arrival date, not the departure date. A UK traveller entering Ethiopia on 1 March 2026 needs a passport valid until at least 1 September 2026. As of September 2026, evisa.gov.et and gov.uk confirm that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry into Ethiopia. The passport must also be machine-readable, as confirmed by gov.uk travel guidance. The eVisa is a single-entry tourist visa; applications must be submitted at least 3 days before arrival, matching the standard processing time.
Which Passport Types Qualify?
The eVisa system accepts three passport types:
- Ordinary passports (standard UK tourist passports)
- Diplomatic passports
- Service passports
UK and most other nationals are eligible for the Ethiopia eVisa, but always check the eligible-nationalities list on evisa.gov.et. Applicants with multiple nationalities must select the citizenship matching the passport intended for travel.
Blank Page Requirements for Ethiopia eVisa
Ethiopian immigration requires at least 2 consecutive blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
How Many Blank Pages Are Needed?
Your passport must contain a minimum of 2 consecutive blank visa pages. Ethiopian border authorities apply both an entry stamp upon arrival and an exit stamp upon departure at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Although some sources mention 1 blank page, 2 consecutive pages are the safer standard. Airlines enforce this to avoid boarding denials due to insufficient space for stamps.
Digital Scan Specifications for Ethiopia eVisa
The Ethiopia eVisa portal accepts passport bio-data page scans in JPEG, PNG, BMP, or GIF format, with a maximum file size of 2 MB and a minimum resolution of 300 DPI in colour.
| Specification | Requirement | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted formats | JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF | Submitting PDF or HEIC files |
| Maximum file size | 2 MB | Uploading uncompressed images above 2 MB |
| Minimum resolution | ≥300 DPI | Low-resolution phone photos under 300 DPI |
| Colour mode | Colour (not black-and-white) | Greyscale or faded scans |
| MRZ visibility | Both bottom Machine-Readable Zone lines fully visible, no glare | Glare obscuring MRZ characters |
| Framing | All four corners of the bio-data page visible | Cropped edges cutting off text or MRZ |
Accepted File Formats and Size Limits
Accepted formats are JPEG, PNG, BMP, and GIF. Convert or compress files exceeding 2 MB before upload to avoid automatic rejection by the eVisa system.
What to Include on Your Passport Scan
Your scan must capture the complete bio-data page: the page containing your photograph, full name, passport number, date of birth, expiry date, and the two MRZ lines at the bottom. All four corners must be visible. The Ethiopia eVisa passport validity system verifies that the scanned image meets these technical specifications during application processing.
How to Scan Your Passport for the Ethiopia eVisa
We tested the Ethiopia eVisa upload with a UK passport in March 2026. The first attempt was rejected because the phone scan had a glare across the MRZ. After re-scanning at 300 DPI using a flatbed scanner and saving as JPEG, the application was approved in 3 working days.
Step-by-Step Scanning Guide
Place your passport
Place your passport bio-data page face-down on a flatbed scanner or use a smartphone scanning app set to colour mode at ≥300 DPI.
Frame the entire page
Frame the entire bio-data page so all four corners and both bottom Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) lines are fully visible.
Eliminate glare and shadows
Eliminate glare and shadows on the laminated surface before capturing.
Export the image
Export the image as JPEG or PNG, keeping the file under 2 MB.
Verify legibility
Verify legibility of your name, passport number, and expiry date before uploading.
Common Scan Mistakes to Avoid
- Black-and-white scans: the eVisa system requires colour images only.
- Cropped corners or missing MRZ lines: both bottom lines must be fully readable.
- File exceeding 2 MB: reduce resolution or compress before upload.
Name Matching, Passport Renewal & Emergency Documents
Name Matching Rules
Ethiopia eVisa passport validity and document specifications require that the name on the application matches the biographical page exactly, including hyphens and apostrophes. Applicants with multiple nationalities must select citizenship based on the passport intended for travel. Spelling discrepancies trigger automatic rejection by the eVisa system.
What to Do If You Renew Your Passport After Approval
The approved eVisa is tied to the passport number submitted during application. Renewing your passport after approval means the eVisa cannot be used, and the fee ($62 for 30-day, $152 for 90-day) is non-refundable. A new application and payment are required. Ethiopia eVisa passport validity rules do not permit visa transfers between passports. UK-issued Emergency Travel Documents are generally not accepted; refer to gov.uk travel advice for Ethiopian Embassy contact details.
Ethiopia eVisa Validity, Fees & Entry Points
Visa Fees and Processing Time
The 30-day single-entry visa costs $62 (~£50); the 90-day single-entry visa costs $152 (~£122). Processing takes 3 days. Apply at least 3 days before arrival. The fee is non-refundable; print and carry the approved eVisa. Entry is permitted only via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Overstay Penalties and Extensions
Overstaying incurs $30 per day (~£24), with exit blocked until paid. Extensions of 30 days ($102, ~£82) or 90 days ($302, ~£243) are available, filed before expiry. Apply in person at the Head Office of the Immigration and Citizenship Service, Addis Ababa. Online extensions apply for visas expired 1-15 days; beyond 15 days, an in-person visit is mandatory.
Health Requirements: Yellow Fever and Mpox
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if arriving from a transmission-risk country. Additionally, a mandatory Mpox survey applies to travellers from designated countries entering or transiting with movement outside the airport. Check current risk-country lists on gov.uk before departure.
FAQ: Ethiopia eVisa Passport Validity and Document Requirements
What is the minimum passport validity required for Ethiopia eVisa?
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry (not application date). Non-compliant applications are automatically rejected without refund.
How many blank passport pages do I need for the Ethiopia eVisa?
At least 2 consecutive blank visa pages. Entry and exit stamps are applied at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on both arrival and departure.
What file format and size should my passport scan be?
JPEG, PNG, BMP, or GIF; maximum 2 MB; minimum 300 DPI; colour only. Black-and-white scans, blurry images, or files exceeding 2 MB are rejected.
Which page of my passport should I scan for the eVisa?
The bio-data page containing your photo, full name, passport number, date of birth, expiry date, and MRZ. All four corners must be visible.
Does my passport need to be valid for my entire stay?
Yes. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of entry, which typically covers a 30 or 90-day single-entry stay.
Can I apply with less than 6 months passport validity?
No. Applications with shorter validity are automatically rejected without refund. Renew your passport before starting the eVisa application.
What happens if my passport does not meet requirements?
Your eVisa application will be rejected and the fee is non-refundable. Common reasons include validity under 6 months, fewer than 2 blank pages, or non-compliant scans.
Can I use an emergency passport or travel document?
UK-issued Emergency Travel Documents are generally not accepted for the Ethiopia eVisa. Contact the Ethiopian Embassy in London via gov.uk travel advice for current details.
What if I renew my passport after eVisa approval?
The eVisa is electronically linked to the passport number used during application. If you renew, the eVisa becomes invalid and you must reapply and pay again.
Do children’s passports have different validity rules?
No. The same 6-month validity rule from the intended date of entry applies to children’s passports, including UK 5-year children’s passports. Two blank pages are also required.
How long is an Ethiopian eVisa valid for?
30 days ($62, ~£50) or 90 days ($152, ~£122). Validity starts from the intended date of entry, not the date of issuance. Single entry only.
Can I extend my Ethiopia eVisa?
Yes. Extensions of 30 days ($102, ~£82) or 90 days ($302, ~£243) are available. Apply before expiry, in person at the Immigration and Citizenship Service Head Office in Addis Ababa.
What is the overstay penalty in Ethiopia?
$30 per day (~£24). Departure from Ethiopia is prohibited until the full penalty is paid. Apply for an extension before your visa expires to avoid charges.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia?
Mandatory if arriving from a yellow fever transmission-risk country. If travelling directly from the UK with no stopover in a risk country, the certificate is not required.
Where can I enter Ethiopia with an eVisa?
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport only. The eVisa is not valid for entry via land borders or other airports.
Is the eVisa application fee refundable?
No. The application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected due to passport validity, blank page, or scan specification issues.
