UK passport holders apply online at evisa.gov.et; the 30-day Ethiopian eVisa costs ~$52 (~£42), processes in 1-3 business days, and is valid only for entry via Addis Ababa Bole Airport. Applicants from London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast follow an identical digital process with no regional offices involved.
Published: 15 June 2026. Last updated: 20 August 2026. Fees and processing times verified against the evisa.gov.et portal on 20 August 2026. This guide is an independently researched resource for travellers and is not affiliated with the Ethiopian government or any visa-processing body. Always verify current requirements at evisa.gov.et before applying.
Ethiopian eVisa Requirements and Application Process
The Ethiopian eVisa is an electronic travel authorization for British passport holders with minimum 6-month validity, requiring an online application through the evisa.gov.et portal. The Ethiopian eVisa requires no biometric submission or physical embassy visit for tourist visas.
Passport Validity and Photo Upload Rules
The Ethiopian eVisa requires UK applicants to hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry. Applicants must upload a passport-size photograph measuring 35×45 mm in JPEG or PNG format (maximum file size ~2 MB) and a full-colour scan of the passport bio-data page. No biometric submission is required.
Step-by-Step Online Application
Choose tourist or business visa. Apply in eight steps:
Create account
Create account at evisa.gov.et.
Choose visa type and duration
Select 30-day or 90-day visa.
Fill application form
Enter personal and passport details.
Upload photo
JPEG/PNG, max 2 MB, 35×45 mm.
Upload passport bio-data page
Upload colour scan of passport bio-data page.
Review information
Review all entered information for accuracy.
Pay visa fee
Pay by Visa or Mastercard (USD or ETB).
Receive approved eVisa
Receive approved Ethiopian eVisa by email within 1-3 business days.
Ethiopian eVisa Fees and Processing Times for UK Applicants
The Ethiopian government charges approximately $52 (~£42) for a 30-day single-entry Ethiopian eVisa and $72 (~£58) for a 90-day single-entry, with standard processing taking 1-3 business days. All fees are subject to exchange-rate fluctuation. Fee amounts as published on the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service official fee schedule, effective January 2026.
Fee Breakdown and UK Payment Methods
| Visa Type | Duration | USD | GBP (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist single-entry | 30 days | ~$52 | ~£42 |
| Tourist single-entry | 90 days | ~$72 | ~£58 |
The evisa.gov.et portal charges in USD or ETB, not GBP. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Standard UK bank cards may incur foreign-transaction fees, so using fee-free cards such as Monzo or Revolut helps avoid surcharges when paying for the Ethiopian eVisa.
Processing Time and Delays
Standard processing delivers the approved Ethiopian eVisa within 1-3 business days. Submit at least 2 weeks before travel. Track status via evisa.gov.et. Weekends and Ethiopian public holidays may extend processing times. If delayed, check spam folder, verify payment, or contact [email protected] / +251 (11) 1262635.
Ethiopia Visa London: Guide by UK City
Applicants from all UK cities use the same online Ethiopian eVisa process. Only London hosts the Ethiopian Embassy, which handles diplomatic, work, and long-term residency cases, not tourist eVisas.
London: Embassy and Local Support
The Embassy of Ethiopia in London, at
17 Princes Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 1PZ, United Kingdom, handles non-eVisa categories only: diplomatic visas, work permits, long-term residency, and emergencies. Tourist Ethiopian eVisa applicants do not need to visit. Contact: +44-20-75897212 or [email protected]. Direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) are operated by Ethiopian Airlines.
Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast Applications
No Ethiopian consulate exists in Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, or Belfast. The Ethiopian eVisa process is fully online via evisa.gov.et with no biometric submission required. Whether applying for an ethiopia visa london or an ethiopia visa from manchester, glasgow, cardiff, or belfast, upload a passport photo and scanned bio-data page from any location with reliable internet.
Travellers from Manchester (MAN), Glasgow (GLA), Cardiff (CWL), and Belfast (BFS) reach Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) via connecting flights through London or European hubs. The Ethiopian eVisa is valid only for air entry through ADD; land border arrivals require a traditional consular visa.
Entry Rules, Health and Common Application Mistakes
The Ethiopian eVisa permits UK travellers to enter Ethiopia only through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). Land borders require a traditional consular visa. Avoid blacklisted fraudulent sites (see list below).
Entry Points and Yellow Fever Rules
The Ethiopian eVisa is not valid at land borders with Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, or Somaliland. Travellers flying directly from the UK are generally not required to present a Yellow Fever certificate. Transit through endemic countries (e.g. Kenya, Nigeria) may trigger the requirement. Check FCDO travel advice at gov.uk before departure.
Avoiding Fraudulent Visa Websites
The Government of Ethiopia has blacklisted seven domains. Applications and payments through them are NOT valid:
- www.ethiopiaevisa.com
- www.ethiopiaimmigration.org
- www.ethiopiaonlinevisa.com
- www.evisaforethiopia.com
- www.ethiopian-visa.com
- www.ethiopia-evisa.com
- www.ethiopiavisas.net
The only valid portal is evisa.gov.et. Commercial agencies such as VisaHQ and Gulfvisa charge additional service fees and are not affiliated with any government body. Direct application via evisa.gov.et is lower cost. Learn more about how to spot fake Ethiopian eVisa sites and apply safely.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Common errors when applying for the Ethiopian eVisa: selecting “business” instead of “tourist” when visiting family, uploading a photo over 2 MB, submitting a passport scan that is not in full colour, and typos in the passport number. One typo invalidates the Ethiopian eVisa. Always screenshot the completed application before submitting.
FAQ
Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in Ethiopia?
Yes, at Addis Ababa Bole Airport, but the Ethiopian eVisa is recommended for faster entry clearance and to avoid queues.
How much does an Ethiopian eVisa cost from the UK?
Approximately $52 (~£42) for 30-day and $72 (~£58) for 90-day single-entry tourist eVisa. Fees subject to exchange-rate fluctuation. Portal processes payments in USD or ETB using Visa or Mastercard.
How long does it take to get an Ethiopian eVisa from London?
Standard processing: 1-3 business days. For ethiopia visa london applications, apply at least 2 weeks before travel to account for weekends or Ethiopian public holidays.
Do I need to visit the Ethiopian Embassy in London?
No. Tourist Ethiopian eVisa is fully online. The embassy (17 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PZ) handles only diplomatic, work, residency, and emergencies.
Can I extend my Ethiopian eVisa?
Yes, the Ethiopian Tourist eVisa is eligible for extension on reasonable grounds. Apply through the immigration office in Ethiopia with valid justification.
I hold an Ethiopian Origin ID (Yellow Card) – do I still need a visa?
Holders of Ethiopian Origin ID (Yellow Cards), Diplomatic ID, or Temporary Residents Permit are generally exempt. Check with the embassy if your ID has expired.
Do I need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter Ethiopia from the UK?
Direct UK flights: generally not required. Transit through endemic countries (Kenya, Nigeria) may trigger the requirement. Obtain from NHS travel clinic or GP.
Are there fraudulent Ethiopian visa websites I should avoid?
Yes. The Ethiopian government has blacklisted 7 domains including www.ethiopiaevisa.com and www.ethiopiaimmigration.org. Always use evisa.gov.et for your Ethiopian eVisa.
