Djibouti
Djibouti visa guide: e-Visa and asylum
- 2 visa types
- checked 24 October 2026
How visas for Djibouti work
Djibouti issues short-stay visas through an online e-Visa platform run by the Immigration Directorate of the General Directorate of the National Police. The e-Visa replaced the visa formerly issued at the airport or land border: since 1 May 2018 no visas are issued at any point of entry, so travellers must hold an approved e-Visa before departure.
The e-Visa covers tourism, business and transit only and allows one entry. A transit e-Visa (1 to 14 days) costs USD 12 and a short-stay e-Visa (15 to 90 days) costs USD 23, paid online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Holders of diplomatic, service or official passports and people covered by a courtesy visa arrangement cannot use the platform.
Work, study and other long-term purposes require a traditional visa from a Djiboutian embassy or consulate. People who fear returning to their country can seek asylum with the Office National d'Assistance aux Réfugiés et Sinistrés (ONARS), the government body under the Ministry of the Interior that registers and decides asylum claims with UNHCR support.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, family visit or business trip of 15 to 90 days: short-stay e-Visa, USD 23.
Passing through Djibouti and leaving the airport for up to 14 days: transit e-Visa, USD 12; no visa is needed if you stay in the airport transit area.
Work or study: traditional visa from a Djiboutian embassy or consulate, not the e-Visa.
Fear of persecution or of war in your country: asylum claim at ONARS in Djibouti City or at a border post.
Visa types for Djibouti
- e-Visa Djibouti eVisa (short stay and transit)
The Djibouti eVisa is the only way to get a tourist, business or transit visa for Djibouti, because visas are no longer issued at the border.
Maximum stay: Short stay: 15 to 90 days. Transit: 1 to 14 days
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Asylum application at ONARS
Asylum in Djibouti is the responsibility of the government through ONARS, which registers claims, interviews applicants and issues their documents with UNHCR support.
Maximum stay: You may stay in Djibouti while your claim is pending
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a visa on arrival at Djibouti airport?
No. The Immigration Directorate states that no visas have been issued at the airport or any other border point since 1 May 2018. You must obtain the e-Visa online before travelling.
How much does the Djibouti e-Visa cost?
The portal lists USD 12 for a transit e-Visa of 1 to 14 days and USD 23 for a short-stay e-Visa of 15 to 90 days. The payment page shows the amount including 10 percent VAT. Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused or unused.
Can I work or study in Djibouti on an e-Visa?
No. The e-Visa is for tourism, business and transit only. Work, study and other purposes need a traditional visa obtained at a Djiboutian embassy or consulate.
Who handles asylum claims in Djibouti?
ONARS, the Office National d'Assistance aux Réfugiés et Sinistrés under the Ministry of the Interior, registers and processes all asylum claims and issues documents to asylum seekers and refugees, with UNHCR support.
What are the weekend days for e-Visa processing?
The e-Visa FAQ notes that the weekend in Djibouti falls on Friday and Saturday, so allow for these days when you calculate the usual 72-hour processing time.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.