Country guide
Ethiopia
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
Required
Currency
Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Time zones
UTC / GMT +3 (1 hour ahead of South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 251
Best time to go
October to January
Drinking water
Bottled water recommended.
Travel tips
Locals may expect a small payment for being photographed. Photography of tourist attractions may carry a small charge too.
Visa guide
Visa requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
South Africans may get a visa-on-arrival. Payment should be done in cash at the airport.
Visa applications for tourist and business visas may be done online at: www.evisa.gov.et
Tourist Visa
- Recent passport-size photo of the applicant.
- Passport of the visa applicant which is valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry to Ethiopia.
- For other visa types, please refer Ethiopian E-visa website.
Issuing authorities
Embassy of Ethiopia
763 Justice Mohammed Street, Bailey’s Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Tel:+27 (0)12 346 3542
Email: pretoria.embassy@mfa.gov.et
Online Visa Applications:
E-mail: support@evisa.gov.et
Web: www.evisa.gov.et
Visa processing time
Tourist Visa: 3 Working days
Visa validity
30 or 90 days, counted from intended arrival date
Visa cost
Tourist (30 days): USD 62
Tourist (90 days): USD 152
SA representative
SA Embassy in Ethiopia
Nafisilk Lafto, Subcity, Kebele 03, South Africa Avenue, Addis Ababa
Tel: +251 11 371 1002/1017/0272/3034
E-mail: consular.addis@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/ethiopia/
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
Public holidays
2026: Jan 7, 19; Mar 2, 20; Apr 10, 12; May 1, 5, 27-28; Aug 26; Sep 11, 27