Validity and Extension

Validity Period

The validity period of an Ethiopia eVisa refers to the length of time you are permitted to stay in Ethiopia after entering the country. It's important to understand that the validity period begins from the date you enter Ethiopia, not from the date the visa is issued.

All Ethiopia eVisas are single-entry visas, meaning you can enter Ethiopia only once during the visa's validity period. If you exit Ethiopia and wish to return, you will need to apply for a new visa.

Important: Your eVisa must be used within 30 days of its issue date. If you do not enter Ethiopia within this period, your visa will expire and you will need to apply for a new one.

Entry and Exit Dates

When planning your trip to Ethiopia, pay careful attention to these dates:

Issue Date: The date your eVisa is approved and issued
Valid From Date: The date from which you can enter Ethiopia (typically the issue date)
Valid Until Date: The last date you can enter Ethiopia (typically 30 days after issue)
Maximum Stay Period: The number of days you can remain in Ethiopia from your entry date
Must Exit By Date: The last date you must leave Ethiopia (entry date + maximum stay period)

Validity Periods by Visa Type

Visa Type	Maximum Stay Period	Must Enter Within	Extensions Possible
Tourist eVisa (30 days)	30 days from entry date	30 days from issue date	Yes, up to 90 days total
Tourist eVisa (90 days)	90 days from entry date	30 days from issue date	Yes, up to 180 days total
Business eVisa	Up to 90 days from entry date	30 days from issue date	Yes, up to 180 days total
Transit eVisa	Up to 3 days (72 hours) from entry date	30 days from issue date	No, not typically extendable

Extending Your eVisa

If you wish to stay in Ethiopia longer than your initial visa validity period allows, you may apply for an extension. Visa extensions must be applied for before your current visa expires.

Extension Process

To extend your Ethiopia eVisa, follow these steps:

Visit the Immigration Office: Go to the Main Immigration Office in Addis Ababa or a regional immigration office
Complete the Extension Form: Fill out the visa extension application form
Submit Required Documents: Provide your passport, current eVisa, and supporting documents
Pay the Extension Fee: Pay the applicable fee for your visa type and extension duration
Biometric Data: You may need to provide fingerprints and a photograph
Collect Extended Visa: Receive your visa extension stamp or document

Important: Begin the extension process at least 7-10 days before your current visa expires to allow sufficient processing time.

Required Documents for Extension

When applying for an Ethiopia eVisa extension, you will need to provide the following documents:

Basic Requirements

Valid Passport: With at least 6 months validity remaining
Current eVisa: Your original eVisa document or entry stamp
Completed Application Form: Available at the immigration office
Passport-sized Photographs: Usually 2-4 recent photos
Extension Fee Payment: Receipt of payment

Additional Documents by Visa Type

Tourist Visa Extension:

Proof of accommodation for the extended period
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, credit cards)
Return or onward ticket

Business Visa Extension:

Letter from Ethiopian company/organization requesting extension
Business activities justification
Proof of business registration in Ethiopia (if applicable)

Extension Fees

Fees for extending your Ethiopia eVisa

Visa Type	Extension Period	Approximate Fee
Tourist eVisa	1 month	$20-30 USD
Tourist eVisa	3 months	$40-60 USD
Business eVisa	1 month	$30-40 USD
Business eVisa	3 months	$60-80 USD

* Fees are approximate and subject to change. Payment is typically accepted in Ethiopian Birr or USD.

Overstaying Your Visa

Staying in Ethiopia beyond your visa's validity period without obtaining an extension is considered overstaying and can lead to serious consequences. It's important to understand the implications of overstaying your visa and how to avoid it.

Consequences of Overstaying

Financial Penalties: Fines of approximately $10-20 USD per day of overstay
Exit Visa Requirement: Need to obtain a special exit visa before leaving
Detention: Possible temporary detention until fines are paid
Future Visa Difficulties: Potential rejection of future visa applications
Immigration Record: Negative mark on your immigration record
Deportation: In severe cases, formal deportation proceedings

How to Avoid Overstaying

Know Your Dates: Be aware of your visa expiration date
Set Reminders: Set calendar alerts for 2 weeks and 1 week before expiration
Plan Ahead: Apply for an extension well before your visa expires
Check Requirements: Understand the extension process and requirements
Book Flexible Travel: Consider changeable return tickets
Emergency Contact: Know who to contact if unexpected issues arise

Important: If you find yourself in a situation where you have overstayed your visa due to unforeseen circumstances (such as medical emergencies), contact the Immigration Office immediately. In some cases, with proper documentation of the emergency, penalties may be reduced or waived.

Special Circumstances

There are certain situations where special considerations may apply to visa validity and extensions:

Medical Emergencies

If you experience a medical emergency that prevents travel, you may be granted a special extension with proper medical documentation from an Ethiopian hospital or doctor.

Flight Cancellations

If your departure flight is canceled or significantly delayed, keep documentation from the airline to explain a brief overstay when exiting the country.

Natural Disasters

In case of natural disasters or civil unrest that prevent travel, immigration authorities may implement special provisions for foreign visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ethiopia eVisa validity and extensions

Yes, it is possible to extend your Ethiopia eVisa more than once, but each subsequent extension becomes more difficult to obtain and may require stronger justification. Tourist visas can typically be extended up to a maximum total stay of 6 months (180 days), while business visas may have more flexibility depending on the nature of the business activities.

If you need to stay in Ethiopia beyond the maximum extension period (typically 6 months for tourists), you will generally need to exit the country and apply for a new visa. In exceptional circumstances, such as for business investments, academic research, or humanitarian work, special permits may be available through the appropriate Ethiopian government ministries.

No, currently visa extensions cannot be applied for online. You must visit the Immigration Office in person to apply for an extension. This is because the process typically requires biometric data collection and in-person verification of your documents and status in Ethiopia.

No, Ethiopia eVisas are single-entry visas. Once you exit Ethiopia, your visa is considered used regardless of how many days you actually stayed in the country. If you wish to return to Ethiopia, you will need to apply for a new eVisa, even if you did not use the full validity period of your previous visa.

The Main Immigration Office (Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency) in Addis Ababa is located near Mexico Square. The exact address is: Jomo Kenyatta Street, Kirkos Sub-City, Addis Ababa. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning as the office can get very busy, and processing may take several hours or even multiple days for complex cases.

Ready to Apply for Your Ethiopia eVisa?

Start your application today and plan your stay in Ethiopia.

Choose Visa Type Start Application

Ethiopia eVisa Validity and Extension