Eritrea
Eritrea visa guide: tourist, business, employment, family visit, student and transit visas
- 6 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Eritrea work
Eritrea has no visa on arrival or e-visa for foreign visitors. Everyone who does not hold an original Eritrean national ID card must obtain an entry visa from an Eritrean embassy or consulate before travelling. Missions such as the Embassy in Washington and the Consulate General in Frankfurt take applications through an online Consular Affairs Processing System (CAPS) on form B62.3, and the applicant then mails the original passport for the visa sticker.
Missions issue tourist, business, employment, family visit, student, transit, official and other visas. All visas are valid for three months from the date of issue, which means you must arrive within three months; once in Eritrea the visa is normally valid for one month and can be extended or renewed at the Immigration office in Asmara. Processing takes at least 15 business days at the Washington and Frankfurt missions and ten working days at the Geneva mission.
Missions ask for proof that you live in their area: a residence permit or registration in Germany for Frankfurt, a residence card for non-US citizens in Washington. Where Eritrea has no mission in your country, contact the Eritrean embassy or consulate accredited to it and check its residency requirement before applying.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday or sightseeing: tourist visa, USD 50 in Washington or EUR 50 in Frankfurt.
Meetings with an Eritrean company or partner: business visa, single entry USD 100 or EUR 90, multiple entries up to one year.
A job with an Eritrean employer: employment visa, USD 100 or EUR 90, with a letter from the sponsoring entity.
Visiting relatives: family visit visa, USD 70 or EUR 65, with a reference in Eritrea. Studying: student visa, USD 50 or EUR 45. Passing through: transit visa, USD 30 or EUR 30.
Visa types for Eritrea
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa
Tourists need an Eritrean visa issued by an embassy or consulate before departure.
Maximum stay: Typically one month after arrival, extendable at Immigration in Asmara - Family and friends visit visa Family visit visa
The family visit visa is for travellers visiting relatives in Eritrea.
Maximum stay: Typically one month after arrival, extendable at Immigration in Asmara - Transit visa
Travellers passing through Eritrea apply for a transit visa at an Eritrean mission before the trip.
Validity: Three months from the date of issue
Business and self-employment
- Business visa
A business visa is for meetings and commercial visits hosted by a registered company or partner in Eritrea.
Maximum stay: Typically one month per stay, extendable in Asmara
Study and training
- Student visa
An Eritrean student visa is issued by Eritrean missions on form B62.3 to applicants with a letter from the school stating the purpose and duration of the stay and proof of sufficient funds.
Maximum stay: Typically one month after arrival, extendable at Immigration in Asmara
Work
- Work visa Employment visa
An Eritrean employment visa is for foreigners hired by an entity in Eritrea.
Maximum stay: Typically one month after arrival, extendable at Immigration in Asmara
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a visa on arrival in Eritrea?
No. Eritrean missions state that every non-Eritrean, and every Eritrean without an original national ID, needs an entry visa issued by a mission before travel.
How long is an Eritrean visa valid?
Three months from the date of issue, within which you must arrive. After arrival it is typically valid for one month and can be extended at Immigration in Asmara.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Eritrea?
The Frankfurt Consulate General requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers coming from listed countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
Are Eritrean visa fees refundable?
No. The Washington Embassy, the Frankfurt Consulate General and the Geneva mission all state that visa fees are non-refundable.
What if there is no Eritrean mission in my country?
Apply to the Eritrean embassy or consulate accredited to the country where you live. Check its residency requirement first: Washington asks non-US citizens for a residence card, Frankfurt for a German residence permit or registration.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.