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
Insider Tips
The yellow fever certificate matters on this route, but not for the reason usually given: Ethiopia does not require it from South Africans, because South Africa is not a yellow fever risk country. South Africa requires it from anyone arriving who has been in a risk country — and Ethiopia is on that list. So the certificate is for your return home, and it is enforced: without one you can be refused entry to South Africa or held for vaccination. Get it at least 10 days before you fly, since that is when it becomes valid.
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.
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).
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.
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.
⚠️ Yellow Fever Certificate needed for your return to South Africa. Ethiopia requires a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. South Africa is not one of them, so no certificate is needed for direct travel from South Africa to Ethiopia. Separately from entry to the destination: South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from anyone arriving — including returning South Africans — who has been in, or transited through, a yellow fever risk country. Ethiopia is on that list. Without a certificate you can be refused entry or quarantined for up to six days at a South African port of entry. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before you fly home; the certificate is valid for 10 years. Source: South African Tourism, checked 2026-07-31.
The refusal risk sits on the way back, not the way out. South Africa requires a valid International Certificate of Vaccination from anyone who has been in a yellow fever risk country, and Ethiopia is on that list. Ethiopia itself asks South Africans for nothing.
Fix: Get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure and carry the original yellow card, not a photocopy or a phone photo.
E-Visa fee reduced from $82 to $62
Ethiopia cut its electronic tourist visa fee by $20, from $82 to $62 USD, in August 2024 as part of efforts to boost tourism.
90-day e-Visa discontinued; maximum stay reduced to 30 days
Ethiopia discontinued the 90-day long-stay e-Visa. Since November 2023, the only available electronic tourist visa is single entry, 30 days.
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