Ethiopia entry requirements for Serbia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
eVisa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Serbian passport holders need an e-visa to enter Ethiopia in 2026. Apply online before travel; the process is straightforward with documents ready. The e-visa covers tourism and business visits.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia eVisa application Apply before departure | Apply at the official Ethiopia eVisa portal at least 3 business days before travel. The eVisa costs around $52 USD for a single-entry tourist visa valid for 30 days. Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport — immigration at Addis Ababa Bole Airport will check it before issuing the entry stamp.Apply for eVisa | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 6 months | Your Serbian passport needs at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of entry into Ethiopia. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Bole Airport routinely ask for proof of a return or onward flight out of Ethiopia. Have a printed or digital copy of your ticket ready — they may deny entry if you cannot show one. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended to carry | Hotel booking confirmations or an invitation letter from a host in Ethiopia can speed up the immigration process. Officers occasionally ask where you are staying — have a printed or digital copy ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended to carry | Carry at least $200 USD in cash or have a bank statement showing sufficient funds for your stay. Immigration may ask how you plan to support yourself during the trip. | Recommended |
Apply early — don't leave it to the last minute
The e-visa processing time is 3-5 business days, but it can take longer during holidays or if there's a system glitch. Apply at least 10 days before your flight to avoid stress.
Keep a digital copy of everything
Save your e-visa approval, flight booking, and hotel confirmation as PDFs on your phone. Also take screenshots. If your phone dies or you lose signal, you'll still have access.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for the e-visa online
Go to the official Ethiopian e-visa website (evisa.gov.et) and fill out the application. You'll need your passport details, a digital photo, and your travel itinerary. Pay the fee online with a credit or debit card.
2
Wait for approval
Processing usually takes 3-5 business days, but can be faster. Check your email (including spam) for the approval. Print the e-visa approval letter or save it on your phone.
3
Arrive at Bole International Airport
When you land in Addis Ababa, go to the immigration counter. Present your passport, the e-visa approval, and your return ticket. The officer will stamp you in. The whole process usually takes 10-20 minutes.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through customs. There's usually no customs declaration for personal items. Then you're free to leave the airport.
Download Ethiopia Entry Checklist
PDF · Serbia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable twice for 30 days each
Validity90 days from issue
Cost$52 USD (approx. €48)
Standard eVisa; apply online before travel.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, total 90 days validity
Validity90 days from issue
Cost$72 USD (approx. €66)
Good for multiple visits within validity period.
Business visa
Max stay30 days, extendable
Validity90 days from issue
Cost$82 USD (approx. €75)
Requires invitation letter from Ethiopian company.
work visa
Ethiopian Work Permit
1 year, renewable annually
~$200 USD (approx. €185) per year
For foreign nationals employed by an Ethiopian company. Requires employer sponsorship, contract, and ministry approval. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Ethiopian Student Visa
Duration of study program (typically 1–4 years)
~$50 USD (approx. €46) per year
For enrolled students at recognized Ethiopian institutions. Requires admission letter, proof of funds, and health insurance. Renewable annually.
investor visa
Ethiopian Investor Visa
2 years, renewable
~$500 USD (approx. €460) initial fee
For individuals investing at least $100,000 USD in an Ethiopian business. Requires business registration and investment proof. Leads to permanent residence.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ethiopian eVisa (single entry)Standard fee for tourism, valid for 30 days from entry. | $52 USD (approx. €48) |
| Ethiopian eVisa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within 90 days, each stay up to 30 days. | $72 USD (approx. €66) |
| Visa on arrival (if eligible)Available at Addis Ababa Bole Airport for some nationalities; check eligibility. | $50 USD (approx. €46) |
| Stay extension (per 30 days)Apply at immigration office before current visa expires; max 2 extensions. | $30 USD (approx. €28) |
| Overstay fine (per day)Charged daily; maximum cap of $200 USD. | $10 USD (approx. €9) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Ethiopia
No transit visa needed
Serbia passport holders transiting through Ethiopia (Addis Ababa Bole Airport) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For connecting flights within 24 hours, no visa is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a transit visa or eVisa is required.
Transit hubsAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Health & vaccines for Ethiopia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission; proof of vaccination may be requested.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningococcal MeningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in lowland areas; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue FeverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance is key.
Altitude SicknessModerate risk
Risk in high-altitude areas like Addis Ababa (2,355m) and the Simien Mountains; acclimatize gradually.
Malaria risk: high
High risk in all areas below 2,500m, including Addis Ababa. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Addis Ababa
Main Immigration Office (Addis Ababa)
Bole Road, near Bole International Airport
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00
Main office for extensions and visa issues; bring passport, photos, and fee.
Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Immigration & Citizenship Service (Head Office)
Kirkos Sub-city, Woreda 08, Addis Ababa
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00
Handles complex cases and long-term visas.
Practical information for RS travellers
Country basics
CapitalAddis Ababa
LanguageAmharic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyEthiopian birr (ETB)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 157.41 ETB
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with grounding clips)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The standard tourist e-visa costs around $52 USD (about 2,000 Ethiopian birr). The fee is paid online during the application. There's also a $2-3 processing fee. Check the official website for the latest price.
Processing usually takes 3-5 business days. It can be faster sometimes, but don't count on it. Apply at least a week before your trip to be safe. You'll get the approval by email.
Yes, but only if you don't have an e-visa. The visa on arrival costs about $52 USD and you need to pay in cash (USD, euros, or pounds). The queue can be long. The e-visa is faster and more reliable.
The e-visa is typically valid for up to 30 days. You can extend it once at the immigration office in Addis Ababa for an additional 30 days. The extension costs around $20-30 USD.
Yes, if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever. Serbia is not a yellow fever country, so you don't need it if you're flying directly from Serbia. But if you've been in any African or South American country recently, you'll need the vaccine certificate.
Rejections are rare but can happen if your passport photo is wrong or your details don't match. You can reapply with corrected info. If it's rejected again, you can try for a visa on arrival at the airport.
No. The e-visa is only valid for entry at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. If you're crossing by land from Kenya, Sudan, or Djibouti, you need a different visa. Check with the Ethiopian embassy.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.