Sri Lanka has announced an extension of its visa-free entry initiative for visitors from 7 countries until April 30, 2024. Citizens of India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand were first approved for visa-free entry by the Cabinet of Ministers in October 2023. The program was initially due to last until March 31. However,
Visa Requirements for Ethiopian Citizens
Each country around the world has its own list of visa requirements for Ethiopian citizens — regulations that determine if, and in what circumstances, a national of Ethiopia needs a visa or travel authorization to enter.
The Ethiopian passport is ranked 95th in the Henley Passport Index’s list of the world’s strongest passports, permitting access to 44 destinations without having to apply for a visa in person at an embassy before traveling.
The visa requirements for citizens of Ethiopia to enter a particular country or territory often depend on the purpose of the trip and the length of time the Ethiopian traveler plans to spend there.
For example, some countries have online platforms for Ethiopian nationals to obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) or electronic travel authorization (eTA) for short stays as a tourist, while individuals who plan to stay in the country long-term and/or live and work there must go through the longer process of applying for residence and work visas at an embassy.
Certain destinations permit Ethiopians to enter visa-free, at least for short visits, while the majority require Ethiopian nationals to obtain a visa before arriving at the border.
Some countries and territories also have the option to apply for a visa on arrival, although this comes with certain drawbacks, such as having to queue at border control.
Citizens of Ethiopia should check the visa requirements for their destination before traveling abroad and ensure that they have the correct authorization to cross the border.
