South Africa
Ethiopia
Ethiopia visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens can get a visa on arrival in Ethiopia, valid for stays of up to 90 days.
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at pretoria.mfa.gov.et
Which Ethiopia visa?
Key facts
- Processing time
- Issued at the port of entry
Ethiopia’s official site for the visa on arrival is evisa.gov.et. Processing time, as Ethiopia states it: Issued at the port of entry.
Ethiopian citizens travelling to South Africa
EthiopiaSouth Africa e-Visa South Africa visa for citizens of Ethiopia
Travel advice for Ethiopia
- US State Department Level 3: Reconsider travel
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) Advises against all travel to parts of the country
- German Foreign Office Partial travel warning for parts of the country (Teilreisewarnung)
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
South African citizens planning a trip to Ethiopia can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Ethiopia at Level 3, reconsider travel (updated 26 August 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to parts of Ethiopia (updated 30 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has a partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung) for parts of Ethiopia (updated 21 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Ethiopia
South African citizens may stay in Ethiopia for up to 90 days. The stay granted is recorded on entry to Ethiopia.
How South African citizens apply
South African citizens receive the visa for Ethiopia at the port of entry, so they should have their passport, the fee and any documents the officers may ask for, such as a return ticket.
Ethiopia’s neighbours for South African citizens
Kenya admits South African citizens visa-free. Eritrea and Sudan require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Ethiopian citizens travelling to South Africa
Ethiopian citizens need an e-Visa for South Africa, applied for online before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Ethiopia?
South African citizens can get a visa on arrival in Ethiopia, valid for stays of up to 90 days.
How long can South African citizens stay in Ethiopia?
South African citizens can stay in Ethiopia for up to 90 days with a visa on arrival.
Do Ethiopian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Ethiopian citizens need an e-Visa for South Africa, applied for online before travel.
Can South African citizens enter Ethiopia visa-free?
No; South African citizens need a visa on arrival in Ethiopia.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.