Eritrea employment visa: requirements and steps

An employment visa is for foreigners hired by an entity in Eritrea. The Embassy in New Delhi explains that the employer or host organisation must start the visa request with the Department of Immigration in Eritrea, and that the embassy does not handle employment visa applications until that department has approved them.

The Washington Embassy and the Frankfurt Consulate General ask for form B62.3 completed and signed online, a 35 x 45 mm photo uploaded with it, proof of residence, a passport valid six months beyond the trip, and a letter of employment from the sponsoring entity stating your role and the duration of employment.

The employment visa costs USD 100 at the Washington Embassy, plus USD 13 for photo printing and a USD 10 service fee, and EUR 90 at the Frankfurt Consulate General. Fees are paid online and are not refundable.

Once your employer has done its part in Eritrea, submit the online form and fee, then mail your original passport to the mission. Processing takes at least 15 business days, and you must enter within three months of the visa's issue date.

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.