Ethiopia entry requirements for Tanzania passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 29, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
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
Tanzanian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and most land border crossings. This has been standard for years, so no advance application is needed. Just arrive with the right documents and cash for the fee.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Tanzanian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Have 50 USD in cash ready for the single-entry tourist visa (valid for up to 90 days). The visa on arrival counter is before immigration — follow the signs.Apply online | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover your entire stay | Your passport needs at least one blank page for the visa sticker. Ethiopia does not enforce a 6-month validity rule — just make sure it covers your travel dates. Airlines may still ask for 6 months, so check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers at Bole Airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket ready. If you're overlanding to a third country, show the bus or flight booking. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a hotel booking. A printed hotel confirmation or an Airbnb receipt works. If you're staying with friends, have their address and phone number written down. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry at least 200 USD in cash or have a bank statement showing you can cover your stay. Ethiopia has a cash economy for many expenses, and ATMs outside Addis can be unreliable. Credit cards are accepted only at major hotels and some restaurants. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa counter
The visa-on-arrival counter does not accept credit or debit cards. Bring USD 50 in crisp, undamaged bills. Old or torn notes are often refused. ATMs are available after immigration, but you'll need cash before that.
Yellow fever certificate required
If you're arriving from Tanzania (or any country with yellow fever), you must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. Without it, you may be vaccinated at the airport or denied entry. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Bole International Airport
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. The counter is before the main passport control booths. Queue up, fill out the visa application form (available at the counter), and hand over your passport, photo, and cash.
2
Pay the visa fee
Pay USD 50 (or equivalent in birr) at the counter. They prefer US dollars. You'll get a receipt. Keep it safe.
3
Receive your visa sticker
The officer will paste a visa sticker into your passport and stamp it. Check that the validity dates are correct before walking away.
4
Proceed to passport control
With the visa in your passport, join the main passport control queue. Hand over your passport and boarding pass. They may ask for your return ticket and accommodation details.
5
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, collect your bags from the carousel, then walk through customs. If you have nothing to declare, use the green channel.
Download Ethiopia Entry Checklist
PDF · Tanzania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 29, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days)
Max stay30 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$52 USD (approx. 52 USD)
Apply online via eVisa; faster processing than visa on arrival.
Tourist visa (multiple entry, 90 days)
Max stay90 days total, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost$72 USD (approx. 72 USD)
Best for multiple visits within 3 months.
work visa
Ethiopia Work Permit
1 year, renewable
Varies by employer; typically $200–500 USD
Requires a job offer from an Ethiopian employer and approval from the Ministry of Labour. Allows long-term residence and multiple entries.
student visa
Ethiopia Student Visa
Duration of studies, renewable annually
~$50 USD per year
For enrolled students at recognized Ethiopian institutions. Requires admission letter and proof of financial support.
investor visa
Ethiopia Investor Visa
1–3 years, renewable
Varies; minimum investment $100,000 USD
For foreign investors meeting minimum capital requirements. Includes residency rights and business operation permission.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in cash (USD or local currency) at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. | $50 USD (approx. 50 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, 30 days, pre-arranged)Available via Ethiopian eVisa portal before travel. | $52 USD (approx. 52 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry, 90 days)Also available via eVisa; allows multiple entries within validity. | $72 USD (approx. 72 USD) |
| Overstay fineCharged at immigration upon departure; no official cap but may be negotiable. | $20 USD per day (approx. 20 USD/day) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
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
Tanzania passport holders transiting through Ethiopia for less than 12 hours and staying airside do not need a transit visa.
Airside transitAllowed up to 12h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa on arrival is required.
Transit hubsAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Health & vaccines for Ethiopia
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Tanzania).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present in all areas below 2,000m; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
Altitude sicknessModerate risk
Risk in highland areas like Addis Ababa (2,355m); acclimatize gradually.
Malaria risk: high
High risk in all regions below 2,000m; CDC recommends atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline prophylaxis.
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 (Headquarters)
Bole Road, near Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00
Handles visa extensions and residency permits; bring passport, photos, and fee in cash.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa Immigration Office (Branch)
Around Mexico Square, Addis Ababa
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:00
Alternative location for visa-related services; less crowded than headquarters.
Practical information for TZ 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 = 158.42 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
Yes, you can get a visa on arrival at most major land border crossings, including Moyale (from Kenya), Galafi (from Djibouti), and Metema (from Sudan). The process is similar — cash, passport, photo. But some smaller crossings may not offer it, so check ahead if you're planning a land entry.
The standard tourist visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. It's a single-entry visa. If you need longer, you can apply for an extension at the Immigration Office in Addis Ababa, but it's not guaranteed.
Extensions are possible but not automatic. You'll need to visit the Immigration Office in Addis Ababa (near Bole Airport) before your visa expires. The fee is around USD 50 for a 30-day extension. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and cash. Processing takes 1-3 days.
Immigration officers at Bole Airport routinely ask for proof of onward travel. If you can't show a return or onward ticket, they may deny your visa on arrival. Book a refundable ticket or a cheap onward bus/flight to a neighboring country just in case.
Yes, you can pay in birr, but the exchange rate at the airport counter is poor. It's cheaper to pay in US dollars. Credit cards are not accepted at the visa-on-arrival counter.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever (including Tanzania), you must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. If you don't have one, you may be vaccinated at the airport or denied entry. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.
Rejection is rare for Tanzanian passport holders with proper documents. If it happens, you'll be denied entry and put on the next flight back. Common reasons: invalid passport, no return ticket, or insufficient funds. Double-check everything before you queue.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 29, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.