Find the right Eritrea Visa for your trip with price, requirements, and application time

Eritrea Visa Policy

All visitors must obtain visas from Eritrea if they must enter the country, excluding those from visa-exempt countries. Foreign nationals whose country makes the visa-exempt list are qualified for visa-free entry into Eritrea for short visits. Some others are also issued visas on arrival once they land at the entry point.

Eritrea Visa Exemption

Eritrea’s visa exemption list is limited to only a few countries whose ordinary passport holders can visit the country visa-free. Additionally, diplomatic, service, and public affairs passport holders from China are allowed to visit Eritrea for 60 days, even without visas. Eritrea also doesn’t expect visas from visitors under 18 if they travel with their parents with valid ID cards issued by the Eritrean government.

Visa On Arrival

The visa-on-arrival scheme is for selected nationalities who can visit Eritrea even if they have obtained a visa from a foreign mission abroad. This visa is issued to them and try point of entry, and they can stay in the country for up to 30 days. A special pre-arranged visa confirmation is issued to visitors that qualifies them for a visa on arrival as long as they have a sponsor in the country who submitted a request to the Immigration officers at least 48 hours before the visitor’s arrival.

Transit

Eritrea allows transit passengers with confirmed flight tickets to fly to another country as long as they leave within 6 hours of arrival. They must also have a visa or resident permit for the next country they are headed to if they are not citizens of such countries.

Eritrea Visa Application And Travel Information

Validity: Eritrean visas have different validity timelines, you should remember. While short-stay visas only last for 90 days or less, long-stay visas are valid for 1 year or more. You should never overstay your visa in the country, as that will make you an illegal immigrant. If you are caught living in Eritrea illegally, you will be penalized as that is a crime. I should also be careful if you have a multiple entry visa; even if the visa remains valid, there is a selected number of days you can stay per visit.

Be Aware Of The History: Eritrea used to be at war with Ethiopia during the war of independence, and there are scars of the war everywhere. Avoid areas with a history of land mines for your safety. If you must tour such areas, it is best to go with a guide who knows the area well.

Application Fee: Application fees are mandatory for all visa applications; you can submit your application with this fee. The fee is mostly non-refundable with cash or a bank card. Applicants should also note that this fee is only for processing and does not guarantee the visa will be issued.

Safety: Security and safety should be your top priority in Eritrea when you are out in the open. Street fights and theft are still in the country, especially in Asmara, so we recommend staying away from crowded places and not wandering at night.

When To Apply: The best time to apply for the visa is at least 1 month before the day you plan to travel. The foreign mission may process your application before then, but early application is always the best move. Also, make sure that you submit the correct documents so your application will be completed on time.

Vaccination: Eritrea doesn’t have a vaccination protocol in place, but visitors from selected countries are advised to get vaccinated against some diseases and viruses. 

COVID vaccines are recommended for visitors from some regions, while the Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for some others. You must show evidence of receiving the vaccine by presenting a certificate.

Self Protective Measures: If you must visit rural areas, you should wear protective clothing to cover your arms and legs. Drink only bottled water to protect your system from cholera and other diseases. Chilled water should be a huge no.

Sufficient Funds: As a visitor in Eritrea, especially if you are staying for only a short time, you should have sufficient funds at your disposal. The border control officers may even ask you for evidence of financial sufficiency. If you have yet to pay for your hotel, they will expect you to have more money at hand.

Hotel Reservation: You can make hotel reservations online by checking for prices of hotel rooms in the city where you will stay. Better still, you can pay for Airbnb accommodation in the city if you’re looking for something with a homely feature. 

The receipt of payment should also be presented to the border control officers at the point of entry as evidence that you have somewhere to stay.

How To Apply For An Eritrean Visa

If you require a visa for Eritrea because of your nationality, there are two ways to obtain one.

Visa On Arrival: Check your nationality to see if you qualify for a visa on arrival; if you do, just ensure you arrive in Eritrea with a valid passport, a return ticket, and enough funds to cover your expenses. You will be given an application form to fill out at the entry point. Do so correctly and submit it to the officer on duty. You must also pay an application fee for the visa.

Foreign Mission: The Eritrean embassy or consulate is the place to obtain short or long-stay visas. Locate the nearest mission and forward your completed application form and other travel documents. The process takes a few weeks to complete before the visa is issued.

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Traveling to Eritrea can be quite an adventure, but you must apply for a visa first if you are not from a visa-exempt country. Many visitors from around the world visit Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, and you can do the same with proper documentation.