Ethiopia has lifted COVID-19 entry restrictions.
Temporary measures including pre-departure testing and quarantine on arrival in Ethiopia have ended.
Find out more about the health regulations and what you need to travel to Ethiopia now.
COVID-19 Entry Requirements for Ethiopia
COVID-19 travel regulations ended on October 28, 2022. Standard visa and entry requirements now apply.
Before the restrictions were lifted, travelers needed to present a negative COVID-19 test to board a flight to Ethiopia. PCR tests and Rapid Antigen tests were accepted.
A COVID-19 recovery certificate could be used instead of the test result.
Children under 12 were exempt from testing requirements.
Rules for fully vaccinated travelers to Ethiopia
Rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers traveling to Ethiopia are now the same. A vaccine certificate is not requested.
Previously, passengers with a COVID-19 certificate showing full vaccination at least 14 days before arrival did not need a pre-arrival test.
Can I Fly to Ethiopia in 2022?
Ethiopia’s borders are open to international travelers who meet the Ethiopian visa requirements.
Airline passengers must follow local COVID-19 safety protocol on arrival in Ethiopia. It is no longer necessary to have a PCR test to travel to the country or be fully vaccinated.
The Ethiopian government may change procedures at short notice. Travelers must check the latest coronavirus restrictions before making plans.
Rules for Transiting Ethiopia during COVID-19
It is possible to travel through an Ethiopian airport as normal. COVID-19 restrictions have also ended for transit passengers.
A negative test is not needed to transit Addis Ababa. However, passengers must check they meet the entry requirements for their destination.
Are Ethiopia’s Land Borders Open?
Some Ethiopia’s land borders have reopened. Travelers must check whether the checkpoint they wish to use is open.
Visa Applications for Ethiopia during COVID-19
Online visas for Ethiopia are being processed and approved. Travelers from eligible countries can now apply for a visa for Ethiopia online.
Foreign visitors must meet Ethiopia’s eVisa requirements.
Visas on arrival have been reinstated for selected nationalities. All eligible travelers are advised to apply for their visa before departure.
Measures Against COVID-19 in Ethiopia
Travelers in Ethiopia should be aware of safety rules in place across the country. The government state of emergency has ended and most services are operating as normal:
- National parks are open at full capacity
- Tourist attractions are open with safety protocol
- Face masks are mandatory in public places
- Restaurants are open
- Public transportation is operational
Getting COVID-19 When Visiting Ethiopia
Anyone who knows they have COVID-19 must not enter Ethiopia.
Travelers who experience COVID-19 symptoms whilst traveling must wear a face mask and self-test or get tested at a medical facility.
Visitors who test positive for COVID-19 must follow COVID-19 protocol. This includes isolating at home or at a facility.
General Travel Advisory for Ethiopia
Outside of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, visitors should avoid certain parts of Ethiopia due to sporadic civil unrest, communications disruptions, crime, and conflict.
These areas tend to be border regions, such as Somalia and Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea frontiers.
Other regions where foreign travelers should be careful when visiting are:
- Somali Regional State
- Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR)
- The East Hararge region and the Guji zone of Oromia State
- Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia State
The rest of Ethiopia is mostly safe for foreign nationals.
As with visiting any country, all travelers should be vigilant of their surroundings and take care of their personal belongings.
General Entry Restrictions for Ethiopia
Under normal circumstances, only nationals of 2 neighboring countries may enter Ethiopia without a visa. Travelers from all other nations must obtain a visa to visit.
The Ethiopia online visa (also known as the Electronic Visa or eVisa for Ethiopia) is available to most travelers.
The eVisa is quick and easy to acquire by completing a simple Ethiopia online visa application form, which takes a matter of minutes to fill in. This accessibility eliminates the need to go to an embassy to apply for a visa, which takes longer to process than the online option.
Find out who is eligible for an eVisa by checking the Ethiopia visa requirements.
Foreign nationals who obtain the necessary travel documents will be able to enter the country.
