Djibouti e-Visa: requirements, fees and how to apply

The eVisa is open to holders of ordinary passports of any nationality travelling for tourism, business or transit. It is not available to holders of diplomatic, service or official passports or to people covered by a courtesy visa arrangement, who deal with a Djiboutian mission instead.

Since 1 May 2018 Djibouti has stopped issuing visas at the airport and at land border posts, so the eVisa must be approved before you travel. You do not need a transit visa if you stay inside the airport transit area and do not pass immigration.

You need a passport valid for at least six months, a flight booking or other proof of how you will travel, an accommodation address in Djibouti (a hotel or your host's home), an invitation letter from the organisation or person you are visiting with their phone and email, and a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card. Transit applicants add an onward ticket or the visa for their next destination.

The photo must be a JPG or PNG file; other attachments may be JPG, PNG or PDF. Each file must not exceed 250 KB, and the portal warns that applications not meeting these conditions are rejected.

The eVisa costs USD 12 for transit of 1 to 14 days and USD 23 for a short stay of 15 to 90 days. The payment page states the amount with 10 percent VAT, and the portal also offers an express option for an extra per-person charge.

Payment is by card only (Visa, Mastercard or American Express with 3D Secure and international transactions enabled); the card need not be in your name. Fees are administrative and are not refunded if the eVisa is refused, unused, or issued with wrong details you entered. Applications left unpaid for more than a week are cancelled.

The eVisa is usually emailed within 72 hours once the application is complete. Apply at least 72 hours before travel, and preferably a week ahead, remembering that Friday and Saturday are the weekend in Djibouti.

Validity starts on the arrival date you entered, and you may arrive on any day within the validity period. The eVisa allows a single entry and is tied electronically to the passport you used, so you must travel on that same passport. If your dates change and you do not use the eVisa in time, you must apply again.

To stay longer you must already be in Djibouti and your current visa must have at least 48 hours of validity left. Extensions are requested through the portal's extension module or at the immigration office; for stays beyond what the eVisa allows, the FAQ refers you to the local police services for a permit to stay.

Overstaying can lead to a fine, deportation or a temporary ban on returning. The portal includes a penalty calculator so travellers can see and pay any overstay penalty before their departure date.

If you receive a notice that your eVisa was not approved, the Immigration Directorate advises contacting the nearest Djiboutian embassy or consulate to apply for a traditional visa. The fee is not refunded. An approved eVisa does not guarantee entry: border officers can still refuse admission.