🇿🇦 → 🇪🇹

Ethiopia Visa for South Africans

✓ Visa Free — No visa required for your passport
2/5 Difficulty
3–5d Processing
ZAR 1,147 Total (~$62)

Quick Facts

Requirement evisa
Visa Fee ZAR 1,147 (~$62)
Processing Time 3–5 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 30 days
E-Visa Available online

Ethiopia is a growing destination and major transit hub for South African travellers — Addis Ababa Bole Airport is the busiest African aviation hub and Ethiopian Airlines connects South Africa to more destinations than any other African carrier. South Africans need a $62 e-Visa (reduced from $82 in August 2024), applied for online at evisa.gov.et. The 90-day visa option was discontinued in November 2023; only a 30-day single-entry visa is now available electronically. Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for South African arrivals.

Key Warnings

  • Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY for South African passport holders entering Ethiopia. South Africa is classified as a yellow fever risk country. You will be refused entry or quarantined without it.
  • Ethiopia's e-Visa permits entry ONLY through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. It is not valid for land borders or other airports.
  • The 90-day e-Visa option no longer exists. As of November 2023, the maximum stay on an e-Visa is 30 days, single entry only.

Insider Tips

  • Addis Ababa (Addis) is one of Africa's most important aviation hubs. Many South Africans pass through on Ethiopian Airlines connections to Europe, Asia, and North America. If you have a long layover (8+ hours), an e-Visa lets you exit the airport and explore the city.
  • Apply for your e-Visa at least 5 business days before travel to allow buffer time. Normal processing is 3 business days but can occasionally take longer.
  • Lalibela, the Danakil Depression, the Omo Valley, and Simien Mountains are standout destinations for South African adventure and cultural travellers. Addis Ababa itself has excellent food — injera with kitfo and tej honey wine are must-tries.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Check your yellow fever vaccination

    South Africa is a yellow fever endemic country, so Ethiopia requires a valid yellow fever certificate for South African arrivals. If you don't have one, visit a travel health clinic or designated Yellow Fever vaccination centre (available at major SA airports and many travel clinics) at least 10 days before departure. The vaccine takes 10 days to take effect.

  2. Apply online at evisa.gov.et

    Visit the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.et. Complete the online application form with your personal details, travel dates, accommodation, and contact information. Upload a scan of your passport biographical page and a recent digital photo.

  3. Pay the $62 e-Visa fee online

    Pay the government e-Visa fee of $62 USD using a credit or debit card. Select your processing speed: normal (3 business days), urgent (2 days), or super urgent (24 hours).

  4. Receive and print your e-Visa

    Your approved e-Visa will be emailed to you. Print it and carry a physical copy — Ethiopian immigration officers may require a printed copy at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

  5. Note: entry through Addis Ababa Bole Airport only

    The Ethiopian tourist e-Visa is only valid for entry through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. It is not valid for land border crossings or other airports. Most South African-originating flights (via Ethiopian Airlines) already route through Addis Ababa.

Required Documents

  • Valid South African passport Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Ethiopia. Scan the biographical data page for upload.
  • Recent passport-sized photograph Digital scan of a recent biometric-standard photo. White background, clear face, no glasses.
  • Intended travel dates and duration of stay Enter your planned arrival and departure dates. Must be within the 30-day maximum.
  • Accommodation details in Ethiopia Hotel name and address, or host's details if staying privately.
  • Valid email address and phone number Your e-Visa approval will be sent to the email address provided. Use an email you can access easily.
  • Credit or debit card for online payment The $62 fee is paid online during the application. Visa, Mastercard, and major debit cards accepted.

Health Requirements

⚠️ Yellow Fever Certificate required. Ethiopia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a yellow fever risk country. South Africa is a yellow fever risk country — a valid yellow fever certificate (International Certificate of Vaccination, ICV) is therefore required for South African travellers entering Ethiopia. Carry your yellow card at all times.

Why Applications Get Rejected

  • Missing yellow fever certificate

    South Africa is a yellow fever risk country. Travellers without a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) may be refused entry or detained for vaccination.

    Fix: Vaccinate at least 10 days before travel. Carry the original yellow card — a photo copy is not sufficient.

Latest Updates

2024-08

Ethiopia cut its electronic tourist visa fee by $20, from $82 to $62 USD, in August 2024 as part of efforts to boost tourism.

2023-11

Ethiopia discontinued the 90-day long-stay e-Visa. Since November 2023, the only available electronic tourist visa is single entry, 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South Africans need a visa for Ethiopia?
Yes. South African passport holders require a visa for Ethiopia. The visa is obtained online before travel via evisa.gov.et — no embassy visit required. The fee is $62 USD and the visa allows a 30-day single-entry stay. Apply at least 3–5 business days before departure.
Do South Africans need a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia?
Yes — it is compulsory. South Africa is classified as a yellow fever risk country, so Ethiopia requires all South African arrivals to present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV, also called the 'yellow card'). Vaccinate at least 10 days before travel. Without it, you risk being refused entry or quarantined.
Can I enter Ethiopia on an e-Visa through a land border or another airport?
No. The Ethiopian tourist e-Visa is only valid for entry through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. It is not valid for land border crossings (e.g. from Kenya or Mozambique) or other Ethiopian airports. Most Ethiopian Airlines flights from South Africa already route through Addis Ababa.
Can I get a 90-day Ethiopia e-Visa?
No. Ethiopia discontinued the 90-day e-Visa in November 2023. The only electronic tourist visa now available is a single-entry, 30-day visa costing $62 USD. For a longer stay, you would need to apply for a different visa category at the Ethiopian Embassy in Pretoria.

Other destinations for South African travellers

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