Nomadsurance
Change passport or destination

Ethiopia visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Tourist / short stay

Visa on arrival

Get the visa at the border on entry.

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Ethiopia

Rules are written for foreign nationals generally; Ethiopia's tourist eVisa is open to citizens of all countries, while Kenyan and Djiboutian nationals are visa-exempt and African Union plus many other nationals may use visa-on-arrival.

  • Most nomadsTourist

    Tourist eVisa (VT)

    30 or 90 days, single entry (verify your nationality's option)

    Insurance
    RecommendedNot required for entry, but strongly recommended. The US Embassy advises buying travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover as local medical facilities are limited.
    Good for
    Travellers visiting Ethiopia for tourism, sightseeing or family visits; open to citizens of all countries online.
    Requirement
    Passport valid 6+ months with two blank pages; online eVisa application and fee (approx. USD 60 for 30-day single entry, approx. USD 150 multiple-entry — verify); entry via Addis Ababa Bole airport.
  • Business

    Business / Conference eVisa (VB / CV)

    30 or 90 days, generally single entry (varies by nationality)

    Insurance
    RecommendedNot a stated entry requirement; private medical/travel insurance recommended given limited local facilities.
    Good for
    Foreign nationals attending short-term business meetings, training, seminars or an invited international conference/workshop — not local employment.
    Requirement
    Online eVisa application, passport valid 6+ months, and an invitation/supporting letter from the host company or conference organiser; entry via Addis Ababa Bole airport.
  • Work

    Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa (WV) + Work & Residence Permit

    Tied to employment contract; renewed in tandem with the work permit (no fixed cap)

    Insurance
    OptionalNot specified as a national requirement; employers commonly arrange private health cover. Confirm with employer/INVEA.
    Good for
    Foreign nationals taking up employment with a registered Ethiopian or foreign-operated company (separate GV exists for government roles, NV for NGO assignments).
    Requirement
    Three-stage process: work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Skills (skills not locally available, signed contract, qualifications), an employment entry visa, and a residence permit from the Immigration and Citizenship Service (INVEA). End-to-end processing can run 60-90+ days (verify).
  • Study

    Student Visa (SV)

    Granted for the duration of the course of study

    Insurance
    OptionalNo health-insurance requirement stated in the official guidance; private cover advisable.
    Good for
    Foreign nationals enrolled in a recognised Ethiopian educational institution for full-time study.
    Requirement
    Acceptance letter from an accredited Ethiopian institution, passport valid 6+ months, proof of tuition payment/scholarship and sufficient funds, application form and photos.
  • Residence

    Investor & Golden Visa (residence)

    New 10-year Golden Visa for significant investors (launched 29 March 2026); 5-year tier for executives/shareholders and 3-year tier for managers/board directors; 3-year investor residence permit also available

    Insurance
    OptionalNo insurance requirement stated; long-stay residents are advised to hold private health cover.
    Good for
    Foreign investors, company executives, shareholders, managers and board directors investing in or operating businesses in Ethiopia.
    Requirement
    Approved investment / investment licence from the Ethiopian Investment Commission, letter on investment purpose, business documents; Golden Visa carries a processing fee reported around USD 10,000 with real-estate routes reportedly from approx. USD 150,000 (verify current thresholds, which are evolving).
  • Transit

    Transit Visa

    Issued for 12, 24, 48 or 72 hours (max 72 hours); no visa if staying airside under roughly 8-12 hours

    Insurance
    OptionalNot required; travel insurance optional.
    Good for
    Passengers connecting through Ethiopia who need to leave the airport transit area between flights.
    Requirement
    Proof of onward travel (confirmed onward ticket and, where needed, the visa for the final destination); typically obtained from an Ethiopian mission before travel.

Visa rules, fees and durations change frequently and vary by nationality and entry point (eVisa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole airport) — always confirm on evisa.gov.et or with an Ethiopian mission before booking. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Visa-free isn’t insurance-free

Whatever route you take into Ethiopia, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.

Get a quoteVisa insurance requirements

United Kingdom → Ethiopia: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Ethiopia?
Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Ethiopia?
Yes, via a long-stay visa. Ethiopia has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
Do I need travel insurance for Ethiopia?
Entry to Ethiopia never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
United Kingdom passportFull visa-free ranking & mapCompare passportsTwo passports, side by side

Last updated

Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.