Planning an Ethiopia eVisa family application for 2026? The evisa.gov.et portal allows multiple family members to be processed in a single session. Every applicant, including infants, needs a separate passport, and fees are paid via one consolidated card transaction of $82 USD per person for a 30-day visa. A family of four saves approximately £200 by applying directly on evisa.gov.et instead of using a UK agency.
Published: 15 January 2026 | Last updated: 9 September 2026
Quick answer: To complete an Ethiopia eVisa family application, visit evisa.gov.et, add each family member in one session, upload individual passports and photos, and pay a single consolidated fee of $82 USD per person for a 30-day visa. Each member receives a separate eVisa PDF by email within 3-5 business days.
Who Qualifies for an Ethiopia eVisa Family Application?
Any group travelling together can submit an Ethiopia eVisa family application, but every member, including infants, must hold an individual biometric passport.
The Ethiopia eVisa family application process allows any travel party (spouses, children, parents, siblings) to submit visa requests through a single consolidated session on the eVisa portal at evisa.gov.et. The portal applies no formal definition of “family”; any group travelling together qualifies.
According to the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service, every person, including infants aged 0-5, must hold an individual biometric passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date with a minimum of 1 blank visa page. A child cannot be added to a parent’s passport. The tourist eVisa is single-entry only, which affects families planning side trips outside Ethiopia before returning. Fake or damaged travel documents are not eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival.
Can I Include My Infant or Toddler in the Family Application?
Yes. Infants require their own biometric passport and an ICAO-compliant digital photo: white background, neutral expression, eyes visible, and no parent’s hands visible in the frame. No parental consent letter is needed when both parents travel together.
Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting a Family eVisa
Create a session
Visit the evisa.gov.et portal, select “Tourism” and enter the lead applicant’s details. Beware of fraudulent sites like ethiopiavisas.net – applications or payments made there are not accepted by the government.
Add family members
Enter each person’s full name, passport number, and date of birth. Names must match the passport spelling exactly; even a double space causes rejection.
Upload documents per member
Upload a passport bio page scan and a digital passport-style photograph for each applicant within the same session.
Review all entries
Cross-check every name against the passport. Spelling mismatch is the most common rejection cause.
Consolidated payment
One card transaction covering all applicants; the fee is $82 USD per person for a 30-day visa. A payment receipt does not serve as visa approval. UK applicants should use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid GBP conversion markups.
Save reference numbers
Each family member receives a unique reference number for tracking.
Can One Person Pay for the Entire Family?
Yes. The Ethiopia eVisa family application process bundles all applicants’ fees into a single USD card transaction. Use a UK card with no foreign transaction fees (e.g., Chase, Starling, Revolut) to avoid conversion charges.
Required Documents for Your Family eVisa
For your Ethiopia eVisa family application, each member needs a passport valid 6+ months from arrival with 1 blank page, plus a digital passport-style photo (white background, taken within 6 months). See the age-segmented table below.
| Age Group | Passport | Photo | Additional Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | Valid 6+ months, 1 blank page | Digital, white background, within 6 months | Return flight, hotel reservation, proof of sufficient funds |
| Child (6-17) | Own passport | Same as adult | Consent letter (if one parent travels), birth certificate |
| Infant (0-5) | Own passport | ICAO-compliant | Birth certificate (if requested) |
Parental Consent Letter for Single-Parent Travel
The Ethiopia eVisa family application process requires a notarised parental consent letter when a child aged 6-17 travels with only one parent. The letter must state the child’s full name, travel dates, and absent parent’s details. UK parents should notarise the document with a solicitor before departure. Attach a copy of the birth certificate, and a court custody order if sole custody applies. A downloadable consent-letter template can be prepared from these requirements.
Common Documentation Mistakes to Avoid
Frequent errors include photographs older than six months, passports with fewer than six months validity, application names not matching the passport exactly, and infant photos showing a parent’s hands in frame.
Ethiopia eVisa Cost Breakdown and Savings for Families in 2026
The Ethiopia eVisa family application process charges a flat government fee of $82 USD per person for a 30-day single-entry visa, with no group or family discount. Savings come from eliminating third-party agency service fees by applying directly on the eVisa portal.
| Family Size | eVisa Portal (DIY) | VisaSmart (£115/pp) | Savings (DIY vs VisaSmart) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | ~$164 / ~£130 | £230 | ~£100 |
| 3 people | ~$246 / ~£195 | £345 | ~£150 |
| 4 people | ~$328 / ~£260 | £460 | ~£200 |
| 5 people | ~$410 / ~£325 | £575 | ~£250 |
| 6 people | ~$492 / ~£390 | £690 | ~£300 |
VisaSmart charges £75 embassy fee plus £40 service fee per person, while the Ethiopia eVisa family application portal charges only the government fee. GBP conversions use an approximate rate of $1 = £0.79 – verify the current rate before applying.
Processing Times and Approval Notifications
The Ethiopia eVisa family application process requires 3-5 business days per applicant. Submit your Ethiopia eVisa family application at least 7 days before your intended entry date.
Each family member receives a separate eVisa PDF by email. Use a single shared email address for the entire family and create a dedicated folder to store every PDF before departure.
Track each applicant’s status on evisa.gov.et using their reference number. If sessions were split, email the complete list to [email protected] or call +251 (11) 1262635 to request batch processing.
Arriving at Bole Airport with a Family eVisa
Families completing an Ethiopia eVisa family application must present a printed eVisa PDF for each member at dedicated immigration counters in Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopia eVisa family application process requires all approved travellers to enter through Bole International Airport, the designated entry point for e-Visa holders. Separate immigration counters process eVisa holders, where an officer checks each family member’s passport and printed eVisa PDF.
Digital copies displayed on phones are not accepted. Keep printed copies of every family member’s eVisa in an easily accessible folder. At the port-of-entry inspection, each passport must have at least 6 months validity and a minimum of 1 blank visa page. Officers may also request proof of sufficient funds, a return flight booking, and a hotel reservation. For non-tourism purposes (employment, meetings, NGO activities, media work, investment), obtain approval from the Immigration and Citizenship Service in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ethiopia eVisa Family Application
How do I get a visa for my family to visit Ethiopia?
Apply on the external portal evisa.gov.et for your Ethiopia eVisa family application. Each member fills in their details within a single session, and one person pays for all applicants via a single card transaction. See the Cost Breakdown and Required Documents sections above for fee and document details.
How many people can I add in one family eVisa session?
The portal typically supports up to 5 to 10 members per session. If your group exceeds this limit, split into two batches, note all reference numbers, and email [email protected] to request linking the separate applications.
Does Ethiopia offer a group discount on eVisa fees?
No. The fee is a flat $82 USD per person for a 30-day visa with no group or family discount. Savings come from eliminating third-party agency service fees by applying directly on evisa.gov.et.
Can I apply for an Ethiopia eVisa for my child?
Yes. Each child, including infants, must have their own valid biometric passport. Children aged 6 to 17 additionally need a parental consent letter if travelling with only one parent, along with a copy of their birth certificate.
What documents do I need for a family eVisa application to Ethiopia?
Every member needs a passport (6+ months validity, 1 blank page), a recent digital photo, and travel documents (return flight, hotel). Children may additionally need a consent letter and birth certificate. See the Required Documents table for full details.
How long does the Ethiopia eVisa take to process for families?
Processing takes 3 to 5 business days per applicant. Apply at least 7 days before departure. Each member receives a separate eVisa PDF by email.
What is the difference between an Ethiopia eVisa and a visa on arrival?
The eVisa is obtained online before travel for $82 USD per person. A visa on arrival is purchased at Bole International Airport in cash using USD, EUR, GBP, or CAD, and is only available for eligible countries. The eVisa saves time at immigration and eliminates the risk of carrying cash.
Can I extend my family’s eVisa in Ethiopia?
Yes, but only in person at the Immigration and Citizenship Service Head Office in Addis Ababa, and strictly before the current visa expires. Extensions are not available at the airport. Plan ahead to avoid overstay penalties.
This is an independent information portal. We are not affiliated with the Ethiopian government. All fees and requirements are sourced from the official eVisa portal and verified regularly.
