Eritrea student visa: requirements and steps

The student visa is for people coming to Eritrea to study at a school or institution there. Its distinctive requirement is a letter from the school stating the purpose and the duration of your stay; the other conditions match the general visa rules of the Washington and Frankfurt missions, including proof that you live in the mission’s country.

Complete and sign form B62.3 online and upload a 35 x 45 mm photo with it. Add proof of residence or a permanent resident card (Washington, for non-US citizens) or a German residence permit or registration certificate (Frankfurt), a passport valid at least six months beyond the trip, the letter from the school and proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses. Travellers from the countries on the missions’ yellow fever list must show a vaccination certificate on entry.

Washington charges USD 50 for the student visa, plus a USD 13 photo printing fee and a USD 10 service fee. Frankfurt charges EUR 45. Payment is made online with the methods offered at checkout, and fees are not refunded.

Select the student visa in the online Consular Affairs Processing System, submit the form and fee, then mail your original passport to the mission. Washington states a minimum of 15 days and Frankfurt at least 15 working days. You travel only after receiving the visa.

All Eritrean visas are valid for three months from the date of issue, so you must arrive within three months. Once you are in Eritrea the visa is typically valid for one month and can be extended or renewed by visiting the Immigration office in Asmara; the New Delhi embassy adds that whether an extension is possible depends on the type of visa.

Apply to the Eritrean mission responsible for the country where you live: Washington asks non-US citizens for proof of residence or a permanent resident card, Frankfurt asks for a German residence permit or registration certificate, and New Delhi handles residents of India and several neighbouring Asian countries only. Where there is no Eritrean mission in your country, contact the one accredited to it.