In today’s world, traveling has become an integral part of our lives. Be it for leisure or work, many of us find ourselves regularly on the move across borders. However, one integral aspect that you may overlook is the safety of your travel documents. Losing these critical papers can turn a dream holiday into a
Ethiopia eVisa Requirements for South African Citizens
Electronic Travel Authorization Available
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South African passport holders can get a visa for Ethiopia quickly and easily thanks to the electronic visa (eVisa) service.
The Ethiopian eVisa for South African citizens is obtained online. Simply fill in a quick digital form and you will receive your visa by email within 2 business days.
This convenient process avoids wasting time going to an Ethiopian diplomatic mission in person to fill out paperwork.
To take advantage of the online application system, you must meet a few basic Ethiopia eVisa requirements for South Africans.
Do South Africans Need a Visa for Ethiopia?
Yes, citizens of South Africa must have a valid visa to enter the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The easiest and fastest way to get an Ethiopian tourist visa for South Africans is to apply online.
The Ethiopia eVisa for South Africans allows the holder to visit the country for tourism and leisure.
The eVisa frees South African applicants from having to schedule a visit at an embassy or consular office to obtain a visa in person. Instead, they can obtain a visa fully online from the comfort of their home.
South African nationals interested in traveling to Ethiopia for other purposes, such as job-seeking opportunities or a long-term relocation, should note the eVisa does not cover these activities.
We recommend that they schedule an appointment at the Ethiopian embassy in Pretoria for further visa options.
What Is the Ethiopian eVisa for South African Citizens
The Ethiopia Electronic Visa (eVisa) is a tourist visa that can be obtained online. It is regarded as the quickest and most convenient visa for international visitors. According to the Ethiopian visa policy, South African passport holders are eligible to apply.
The eVisa system was introduced by the Ethiopian government in 2017 to make it easier for international tourists to get a visa.
South African passport holders can choose between the following options:
- Ethiopia eVisa for 30 days – with a validity of 30 days for their entry
- Ethiopia eVisa for 90 days – with a validity of 90 days for their entry
Both eVisas grant South Africans a single entry into the country for tourism.
Requirements for South Africans to apply for the Ethiopia eVisa
Ethiopia has a few basic visa requirements for South Africans. Applicants must meet these conditions to obtain the Ethiopian eVisa.
Items required for online Ethiopia visa applications for South Africans include providing the following:
- South African passport valid for at least 6 months on their arrival in Ethiopia
- Digital copy of their passport’s biographical page
- Recent passport-style photograph
- Frequently-used current email address
- Bank card to pay the eVisa fee
If your South African passport is set to expire in less than 6 months, you should renew it before applying for the eVisa for Ethiopia.
The eVisa is registered to the passport provided for the application. It cannot be transferred to another document.
If the South African passport used to apply is stolen, lost, damaged, or becomes invalid, the eVisa cannot be used to enter Ethiopia. It will be necessary to reapply using your new passport.
Application Process for the Ethiopian eVisa for South African Travelers
The application for the Ethiopian eVisa for South African nationals is a simple online questionnaire.
It takes a matter of minutes to enter the required information and submit the application. South Africans must provide the following details:
- Basic personal info (name, nationality, etc.)
- Passport details
- Travel plans (arrival and departure dates, etc.)
Applicants are advised to take care when entering the information and double-check their answers before submitting the form. Small errors and inconsistencies can lead to issues such as delays and even rejection of the application.
Do South African children need an eVisa for Ethiopia?
South African groups planning a family holiday with children in Ethiopia should note that each passenger must reach the country with their own individual eVisa.
Parents can fill in their dependents’ petitions on their behalf and use the same payment methods and email address.
How much is a visa from South Africa to Ethiopia?
South African applicants must pay a small processing fee for their Ethiopian eVisa.
The Ethiopia visa price for South Africans depends on the type of visa. There are different fees for the 30-day visa and the 90-day visa.
At the relevant part of the application process, you will be prompted to enter your card details.
All transactions are protected by secure servers. This makes it quick, easy, and safe to get your Ethiopia eVisa from South Africa.
Evaluation Process of the Ethiopian eVisa for South African Citizens
After submitting the Ethiopian eVisa application, South African travelers will receive an email confirming its receipt, along with a reference number. The evaluation process of their application usually takes between 24 and 48 hours.
If South African applicants meet the requirements and have completed their application form correctly, they should receive an email with the eVisa attached as a PDF. We recommend printing out a copy of the eVisa to show to border officials once you reach the country.
South African Travelers visiting Ethiopia with the eVisa
The eVisa grants entry into Ethiopia at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa only. Upon landing, South African citizens are recommended to head straight to the fast-track counters compatible with the eVisa to save time at immigration desks.
South African visitors should bear in mind that the eVisa allows a single entry into the country. If you wish to temporarily leave Ethiopia and then return, they must simply reapply using the quick online application system to get a new eVisa.
South Africans with dual nationality will need to use the same passport for the Ethiopian eVisa application as the one they intend to enter the country. The Ethiopian eVisa is automatically linked to their passport and cannot be shared with a second travel document.
Visa on arrival for South African nationals reaching Ethiopia
South African passport holders can request a visa on arrival at Bole International Airport if they have not had the chance to apply for an eVisa beforehand. However, there are various drawbacks to the Ethiopian visa on arrival.
Travelers have to stand in line to apply at border control and deal with the application paperwork there. South Africans with an eVisa can avoid waiting around and wasting time applying for a visa at immigration.
More importantly, the eVisa brings the peace of mind of having an approved visa before traveling.
The visa on arrival runs the risk of having the application denied at the Ethiopian border.
In this case, you will be forced to buy a flight home without being allowed into the country.
For these reasons, the eVisa is considered the better option in most cases.
Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaEthiopian Embassy in South Africa
Holders of a South African passport may apply for the Ethiopian eVisa over the internet and, therefore, do not need to visit the Ethiopian Embassy in South Africa. Everything is done completely online, including filling out the application form and uploading the traveler’s photo.
South African citizens who do not meet the requirements for an Ethiopian eVisa should contact their nearest embassy for further information and instructions.
The Ethiopian Embassy in South Africa is located at the following address:
Pretoria
47 Charles St. Baileys Mucklenenuk, P.O.Box: 11469, Hatfield 0028
Embassy
Country policy
Ethiopia Visa Policy
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Learn about the visa policy of Ethiopia and discover the travel requirements for your nationality.
South African Tourism in Ethiopia
Thanks to its fairly close location and simplified entry requirements, more and more South Africans are choosing to travel to Ethiopia for their holidays.
In fact, the number of arrivals from South Africa has remained fairly steady and is expected to increase over the next few years.
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Ethiopia for South Africans include the awe-inspiring (and sweltering) Danakil Depression, the beautiful nature at the Bale Mountains National Park, and the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Year
Non-resident arrivals from South Africa
2015
19,153
2016
18,283
2017
20,547
2018
17,145
2019
17,171
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Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.