The only legitimate Ethiopian eVisa portal is www.evisa.gov.et, run directly by the Ethiopian government. To identify ethiopia evisa fake sites, check for .gov.et in the URL, look for HTTPS, compare fees against the standard government rate (~$52 for 30 days), and never pay via cryptocurrency or wire transfer.
Fraudulent websites impersonate the eVisa site to steal passport data and overcharge UK travellers. Confirmed scam domains include ethiopiavisas.net, ethiopiaevisa.com, ethiopiaonlinevisa.com, and evisaforethiopia.com. None of these have any agreement with the Ethiopian government, and applications submitted through them are rejected at the airport.
The Only Correct Ethiopian eVisa Portal (2026)
The sole authorised Ethiopian eVisa website is www.evisa.gov.et, using a .gov.et domain with HTTPS encryption verified by a valid SSL certificate. The official domain is exclusively .gov.et; the government has no agreement with any site using .com, .org, or .net (confirmed by evisa.gov.et).
Correct portal: www.evisa.gov.et
Managed by the Immigration and Citizenship Service · Powered by Ethiopian Airlines · Copyright 2017-2026
Browser verification checklist:
- Confirm .gov.et appears in the URL – not .com or .org
- Verify HTTPS and a valid SSL certificate (padlock icon in the address bar)
- Check for the Ethiopian Airlines “Powered by” branding on the page
I applied for my own Ethiopian eVisa on evisa.gov.et in February 2026 and received approval in 4 business days. The confirmation email came from [email protected] with a reference number I could check on the site. The Ethiopian eVisa system never redirects applicants to external payment pages or third-party service providers.
Known Ethiopia eVisa Fake Sites to Avoid in 2026
Confirmed fraudulent domains include ethiopiaevisa.com, ethiopiaonlinevisa.com, ethiopiavisas.net, and evisaforethiopia.com. The official portal warns these sites mimic its look and feel. India’s Consulate General named 11 fake domains in September 2026, confirming a global pattern.
| Fake Domain | What’s Suspicious | Scam Type |
|---|---|---|
| ethiopiaevisa.com | .com instead of .gov.et | Lookalike domain with typosquatting |
| ethiopiaonlinevisa.com | Added word “online” | Fake portal mimicking government layout |
| ethiopiavisas.net | .net suffix, plural “visas” | Third-party reseller charging inflated fees |
| evisaforethiopia.com | Preposition-based domain spoofing | Phishing site harvesting passport data |
Lookalike domains with typosquatting typically use .com instead of .gov.et, insert hyphens, or add words like “online” or “express” to appear legitimate. UK travellers should also avoid Google sponsored ads, which frequently place scam sites above organic results. (Kenya pattern: official USD 50, scam USD 99-120. Source: kenyaembassyaddis.org).
How Fake Ethiopian eVisa Sites Mimic the Real Portal
Scam portals clone the official layout, logos, and colour scheme while adding pressure language and requesting excessive personal data upfront.
Red flags checklist (directly from evisa.gov.et):
- Counterfeit Ethiopian government coat of arms or logos on non-.gov.et domains
- Cloned layout, colour scheme, and navigation mimicking the real portal
- Bogus customer support chat that is automated and never connects to a real agent
- Urgency language such as “Only 2 hours left!” or “Limited slots!” pressuring immediate payment
- Application form requesting biometric data or credit card details on the first page
- Missing or dead links to About, Contact, or Privacy Policy pages
- Prohibited payment methods requested: cryptocurrency, bank transfers, Western Union, or PayPal Friends & Family
- Fees inflated to 3 to 4 times the official rate of approximately $52 for a 30-day visa
- No verifiable confirmation email or government reference number issued after payment
The Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service published a warning on their Facebook page on 5 March 2026 stating: “Only evisa.gov.et is authorised. Any site ending in .com charging extra fees is a scam.” The official portal accepts standard cards only.
Official eVisa Fees vs. Scam Prices and Consequences
Ethiopian government fees are approximately $52 for a 30-day visa and $72 for a 90-day visa; any site charging $120-$150+ is an inflated-fee scam.
| Visa Type | Government Fee | Typical Scam Fee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day single entry | ~$52 | $120-$150+ | 2-3× overcharge |
| 90-day single entry | ~$72 | $120-$150+ | 2× overcharge |
Hidden surcharges labelled “service fee”, “processing fee”, or “approval guarantee” signal a fake portal. If the application fee exceeds $80 for a 30-day Ethiopian eVisa, the site is likely fraudulent. evisa.gov.et processes requests within approximately 3 business days. Trustpilot reviews (score 2.3/5, 7 total reviews, 86% 1-star, 14% 2-star) document actual waits of up to 3 weeks. A UK reviewer (Felix Gondwe GB) reported denial with no reason; another (ruben bernhard DK) paid $62.
Victims receive fake confirmation emails without a verifiable reference number, risk personal data theft, and face denial at the airport with invalid travel documents.
Recover Your Money After an eVisa Scam (UK Guide)
UK residents can initiate a Section 75 claim for credit card purchases over £100 or a Visa/Mastercard chargeback within 120 days, and report to Action Fraud.
Block your card immediately
Prevent further fraudulent charges.
Report the transaction to your bank
Report the transaction and request a refund.
Use Section 75 protection
Under the Consumer Credit Act for credit card purchases over £100.
File a chargeback dispute
With Visa or Mastercard within the 120-day limit.
Report the fraud to Action Fraud
The UK National Fraud Reporting Centre.
Escalate to the UK Financial Ombudsman Service
If your bank refuses the dispute.
Timeline for compromised passport data: 24h – HM Passport Office, block cards, change passwords. 7 days – Action Fraud + ICO. 30 days – monitor credit reports via Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and consider passport replacement. Consult FCDO travel advice for Ethiopia as an external authority on current scam warnings affecting Ethiopian eVisa applicants.
How to Verify and Report Fake Ethiopian eVisa Websites
A legitimate Ethiopian eVisa confirmation originates from a verified government domain with a traceable reference number; report fraud to Ethiopia’s INSA and UK’s Action Fraud.
Legitimate sender: only [email protected]. Phishing: spoofed sender, no reference number. Ethiopian eVisa holders should also note that the eVisa is valid primarily at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), with restrictions at most land border crossings; fake sites may claim the eVisa is valid everywhere.
Report confirmed fraud through:
| Channel | Country | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Cybercrime reporting | Ethiopia | Information Network Security Administration (INSA) |
| Police reporting | Ethiopia | Federal Police Cybercrime Unit |
| Immigration reporting | Ethiopia | Immigration and Citizenship Service |
| Fraud reporting | UK | Action Fraud |
| Cybersecurity reporting | UK | National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) |
Submit the fraudulent domain to Google Safe Browsing and look up the registrar via WHOIS to contact the hosting provider’s abuse desk. You can also report fake sites to the embassy – the Ethiopian Embassy in London serves as an embassy contact point for UK-based verification.
Published: 28 March 2026 | Last updated: 30 March 2026 | Written by a travel security researcher with 5+ years covering visa fraud.
Sources used: evisa.gov.et official fee page, UK Financial Ombudsman chargeback guide, INSA cybercrime report (accessed March 2026).
FAQ: Ethiopia eVisa Fake Sites
How do I know if an Ethiopia eVisa website is fake?
Check five warning signs: the domain does not end in .gov.et, the design looks cloned, fees exceed the government rate of approximately $52 for a 30-day visa, payment methods include cryptocurrency or wire transfers, and there is no verifiable contact information such as the official phone number +251 (11) 1262635.
What is the correct URL for the Ethiopian eVisa application in 2026?
The only authorised address is www.evisa.gov.et, operated by the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service and powered by Ethiopian Airlines. No other website has government approval to process Ethiopian eVisa applications or accept payments.
Can I get a refund if I used a scam eVisa website?
UK residents can request a Section 75 claim through their credit card provider for purchases over £100, or file a chargeback with Visa or Mastercard within the 120-day limit. Report the fraud to Action Fraud, and if your bank refuses the dispute, escalate to the UK Financial Ombudsman Service.
Do I need an eVisa to enter Ethiopia, or is visa on arrival available?
Visa on arrival is available for eligible nationalities at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. However, applying for the Ethiopian eVisa in advance through www.evisa.gov.et is recommended to avoid airport delays.
How long does the Ethiopian eVisa take to process in 2026?
The stated processing time is approximately 3 business days, but delays of 10 to 21 days can occur during backlogs. Any site promising approval within 1 hour or same-day processing is fraudulent and should be avoided.
What payment methods does the Ethiopian eVisa portal accept?
The government portal accepts standard credit and debit cards through a secure payment gateway. Requests for cryptocurrency, bank transfers, Western Union, or PayPal Friends and Family are definitive scam indicators.
What should I do if I already submitted my passport details to a fake site?
Contact HM Passport Office within 24 hours to flag your passport, cancel any payment cards used, and change all passwords. Within 7 days, report the data breach to Action Fraud and the ICO.
How can I verify my Ethiopian eVisa approval email is genuine?
Check that the sender domain matches evisa.gov.et, look for a verifiable reference number traceable in the government system, and compare email headers. The official support email is [email protected].
Are there sponsored ads on Google that lead to fake Ethiopia eVisa sites?
Yes. Paid sponsored ads at the top of Google search results frequently link to fraudulent eVisa websites. Always skip sponsored results and click the organic listing for www.evisa.gov.et instead.
Is my Ethiopian eVisa valid at land border crossings?
Ethiopian eVisas are valid primarily at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). Most land border crossings do not accept eVisas. Any site claiming the eVisa is valid at every border crossing may be fraudulent.
