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Choose the right electronic visa category for your travel purpose to Ethiopia
Apply for Ethiopia eVisa NowSelecting the appropriate visa category for your travel needs
Ethiopia offers different types of electronic visas (eVisas) to accommodate various travel purposes. Understanding which eVisa type is appropriate for your trip is essential for a successful application and smooth entry into the country.
The Ethiopian eVisa system currently provides two main categories: Tourist eVisa for leisure travelers and Conference/MICE eVisa for business event attendees. Each type has specific requirements, validity periods, and permitted activities.
Before starting your eVisa application, carefully review the different visa types to ensure you select the correct category that matches your travel purpose.
Two primary types of electronic visas available
The Tourist eVisa is designed for travelers visiting Ethiopia for tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends and family, or other leisure purposes.
Standard processing: 3 business days
Must enter through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Apply for Tourist eVisaThe Conference eVisa (also known as MICE - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) is for travelers attending business-related events in Ethiopia.
May require invitation letter from event organizer or hosting entity in Ethiopia
Standard processing: 3 business days
Apply for Conference eVisaQuick comparison of Ethiopia eVisa categories
| Feature | Tourist eVisa | Conference/MICE eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Tourism, leisure, visiting friends/family | Business events, conferences, meetings |
| Validity Period | 30 or 90 days | 30 or 90 days |
| Entry Type | Single entry | Single entry |
| Processing Time | 3 business days | 3 business days |
| Visa Fee | US$32 (30-day) or higher for 90-day | US$32 (30-day) or higher for 90-day |
| Invitation Letter | Not required | May be required |
| Extension Possible | Yes, in Ethiopia | Yes, in Ethiopia |
| Port of Entry | Addis Ababa Bole International Airport | Addis Ababa Bole International Airport |
For detailed fee information, visit our eVisa fees page.
Guidelines for selecting the appropriate visa category
The first step is to clearly identify the primary purpose of your visit to Ethiopia:
Your visa type must match your actual travel purpose.
Different visa types may have different documentation requirements:
Review the complete document requirements for your chosen visa type.
Both visa types offer 30-day or 90-day validity options:
Learn more about visa validity and duration of stay.
The Tourist eVisa is the most commonly applied visa type for Ethiopia. It's designed for travelers whose primary purpose is leisure, recreation, or visiting friends and family.
You should apply for a Tourist eVisa if you plan to:
The Tourist eVisa does not permit the following activities:
To apply for a Tourist eVisa, you need:
The Conference eVisa (MICE - Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) is specifically for business travelers attending professional events in Ethiopia.
You should apply for a Conference eVisa if you plan to:
For Conference eVisa applications, you may need to provide an invitation letter from:
The invitation letter should include:
The Conference eVisa is not a work permit. It allows you to attend business events but does not authorize:
Important distinctions between visa validity and permitted stay
The validity period is the timeframe during which you can use your eVisa to enter Ethiopia:
The validity period begins on the date your eVisa is approved, not from your date of entry. If you don't enter Ethiopia within the validity period, your eVisa expires and you'll need to apply for a new one.
Example: If your 30-day eVisa is issued on January 1st, you must enter Ethiopia by January 31st. If you arrive on January 15th, you can stay for the full duration permitted by your visa type.
The duration of stay is how long you can remain in Ethiopia once you enter:
Your permitted stay begins when you enter Ethiopia, not when the visa is issued. You must leave Ethiopia before your permitted stay expires.
Example: With a 30-day eVisa, if you enter on January 15th, you must leave by February 14th (30 days later).
For more detailed information, visit our page on visa validity and duration of stay.
Common questions about Ethiopia eVisa categories
No, you cannot change your eVisa type after submitting your application. If you realize you've selected the wrong visa type, you'll need to submit a new application with the correct category. This is why it's crucial to carefully select the appropriate visa type before applying. If you're unsure which type to choose, review the permitted activities for each category or contact support for guidance.
Yes, you can engage in tourism activities during your free time while holding a Conference eVisa. The visa type indicates your primary purpose of travel, but you're not restricted from sightseeing or visiting tourist attractions when you're not attending your business event. However, your main reason for entering Ethiopia should match your visa type.
If you have multiple purposes for your trip, apply for the visa type that matches your primary purpose. If attending a conference is your main reason for traveling to Ethiopia, apply for a Conference eVisa. If visiting family is primary and you'll only briefly attend a conference, a Tourist eVisa may be more appropriate. Consider which activity will take up most of your time and resources.
Currently, Ethiopia's eVisa system offers the Conference/MICE eVisa for business-related travel. There isn't a separate "business eVisa" category. If you're traveling for business purposes such as meetings, conferences, or exhibitions, you should apply for the Conference eVisa. For other types of business activities not covered by the eVisa system, you may need to contact an Ethiopian embassy or consulate.
Yes, both Tourist and Conference eVisas can potentially be extended while you're in Ethiopia. You must visit the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs in Addis Ababa before your current visa expires. Extension approval is at the discretion of immigration authorities and may require additional documentation. Learn more about the eVisa extension process.
Choose your visa type and start your application today
Apply for Ethiopia eVisaSimple steps to complete your application
Choose the appropriate eVisa category based on your travel purpose:
Make sure you select the correct type as it cannot be changed after submission.
Fill out the online application form with accurate information:
Follow our step-by-step application guide for detailed instructions.
After payment and processing:
Track your application status using our status checker.
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