PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Ethiopia

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Ethiopia.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourist e-Visa for tourism. A business e-Visa and other categories exist on the Immigration and Citizenship Service platform. Work needs a work permit.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months from intended date of entry; machine-readable.

  • How to apply

    Apply online ONLY at https://www.evisa.gov.et (Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service). Upload a passport scan and photo, pay by card. Government fees reported: USD 62 (30-day) and USD 152 (90-day) single-entry tourist e-Visa. Processing about 3 working days; apply at least 3 days ahead (2–3 weeks advised). Fees are non-refundable; applications can't be edited. Tourist e-Visa entry is via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Print the approval.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online at evisa.gov.et. Consular alternative: Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 763 Justice Mohammed St, Bailey's Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria (tel +27 12 346 3542, pretoria.embassy@mfa.gov.et).

  • Proof of funds

    Currency limits rather than a funds test: non-residents may bring in up to USD 3,000 (or equivalent) and at most ETB 1,000; excess may be confiscated. Exit: ETB 1,000 (4,000 if going to Djibouti).

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    ETHIOPIA: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a risk country; vaccination recommended for most of Ethiopia (except Afar and Somali regions). The GSA lists it as compulsory for SA travellers. RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA: Ethiopia is on South Africa's yellow fever risk-country list. South African Department of Health / DIRCO rules require every traveller over 1 year old (South Africans included) arriving from a risk country, or transiting a risk-country airport for more than 12 hours, to show a valid yellow fever certificate (vaccine at least 10 days before departure; certificates are valid for life). Without one you may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days. ADDIS TRANSIT: South African travellers connecting at Addis Ababa Bole for more than 12 hours also need a yellow fever certificate to re-enter South Africa.

  • Arrival forms

    Health declaration forms may be required for travellers from some countries (including for transit with movement outside the airport); Mpox screening surveys reported by FCDO.

  • Transit

    Airside transit at Addis Ababa Bole: no visa needed if you arrive and depart by air within 12 hours and remain in the transit area. Leaving the airport needs a visa (e-Visa, or Ethiopian Airlines' transit-visa arrangements, which were not verifiable because the airline's page was unreachable). Mind the South African 12-hour yellow fever transit rule (see vaccinations).

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service (official e-Visa portal) (Official, evisa.gov.et) https://www.evisa.gov.et/
  2. 2. Immigration and Citizenship Service, Ethiopia (Official, ics.gov.et) https://ics.gov.et/
  3. 3. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ethiopia/entry-requirements
  4. 4. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ethiopia.html
  5. 5. National Department of Health, South Africa (Other government, health.gov.za) https://www.health.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Protocols-for-Travellers.pdf
  6. 6. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  7. 7. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Ethiopia
  8. 8. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2583-ethiopia-country-guide
  9. 9. Fragomen (News and guides, fragomen.com) https://www.fragomen.com/insights/ethiopia-visas-on-arrival-suspended-until-further-notice.html
  10. 10. Drive Ethiopia (News and guides, driveethiopia.com) https://driveethiopia.com/blog/ethiopia-e-visa-application/

From doineedavisa.co.za/ethiopia. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.