Does Ethiopia Require a Visa for South African Citizens in 2026?

Quick answer: Yes. South African citizens travelling on South African passports need a visa for Ethiopia, and the available tourist route is an Ethiopian single-entry e-Visa for eligible applicants. Current reference information lists South Africa as eligible for an Ethiopian e-Visa, while Ethiopia’s official guidance says foreign nationals generally require a visa to enter the country.

For tourism, the e-Visa options listed by an Ethiopian embassy are a single-entry visa for up to 30 days at US$50 or a single-entry visa for up to 90 days at US$70, plus a US$2 processing fee; however, fees can change, so confirm the amount shown on the official portal before payment. The official portal also says your passport must have at least six months remaining after your planned entry date and that e-Visa fees are non-refundable.

Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Do South African citizens need a visa for Ethiopia?

Yes. A South African passport holder should arrange an Ethiopian visa before departure rather than assume visa-free entry. Current passport-eligibility information identifies South Africa as an e-Visa country, and Ethiopia’s consular guidance states that foreign nationals seeking to enter Ethiopia are required to obtain a visa.

The most practical option for a South African holidaymaker is usually the Ethiopian tourist e-Visa. The online system is administered by Ethiopia’s immigration authorities rather than by an embassy, and approved applicants receive an authorisation by email before travelling.

If you are comparing documentation rules for different nationalities in your group, SafariFind also covers whether Indian citizens need an Ethiopia visa. Visa eligibility is passport-specific, so a South African resident travelling on another passport must use the nationality shown on that passport when checking requirements.

Ethiopia visa types for South African travellers

Tourist e-Visa

The tourist e-Visa is intended for short visits for tourism or family visits. The official consular information describes tourist visas as typically valid for 30 or 90 days, depending on the type issued. The online option described by the Ethiopian embassy is single-entry and intended for tourist travel; multiple-entry visas are handled through an Ethiopian embassy rather than the online tourist system.

Apply for the tourist e-Visa if your trip involves a holiday, wildlife viewing, cultural sightseeing, a visit to Addis Ababa, or destinations such as Lake Tana or the Simien Mountains. The visa does not replace any separate permission that may be required for employment, study, journalism, or other non-tourist activities. Ethiopia’s visa guidance distinguishes tourist and business categories, and business visas are not included in the online tourist option described by the embassy.

Embassy visa

An Ethiopian embassy or consular office may be the appropriate route when you need a multiple-entry visa, a business visa, or a category that is not available through the tourist e-Visa system. The supporting documents and submission process can differ by embassy and applicant circumstances, so confirm the process with the Ethiopian diplomatic mission responsible for your application.

Visa on arrival

Do not treat visa on arrival as a guaranteed option for a South African passport. Ethiopia’s consular guidance says that some nationalities may qualify for arrival visas at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, but the research does not provide an official South Africa-specific confirmation. The safer approach is to obtain an approved e-Visa before boarding and carry the approval with your passport. The Ethiopian e-Visa process is designed to provide travel authorisation before arrival, with the visa stamped in the passport at Addis Ababa after approval.

How to apply for an Ethiopia e-Visa from South Africa

1. Use the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal

Submit the application through the Ethiopian government’s e-Visa website, evisa.gov.et. The Ethiopian embassy explains that applicants register, complete the application, pay online, and check the application status through the electronic system.

Use the official portal rather than relying on an unaffiliated visa agent or a search advertisement. The embassy states that e-Visas are administered by Ethiopia’s immigration authority, not by the embassy itself.

2. Select the correct purpose and visa period

Select tourism if you are visiting Ethiopia for a holiday or family visit. Choose the available stay period that matches your itinerary: the embassy-published tourist options are up to 30 days or up to 90 days, both single entry for the online tourist route.

Check every date and personal detail against your passport before submitting. Incorrect information can create problems at check-in or immigration, and the e-Visa approval is linked to the passport used in the application. The official process requires the approved applicant to present the passport for stamping on arrival in Addis Ababa.

3. Prepare the required documents

The official Ethiopian e-Visa information confirms that the passport must have at least six months remaining after the planned entry date. Embassy visa guidance also lists a recent passport-sized photograph and a valid passport among the typical tourist-visa requirements.

Document or detail	What South African applicants should do
South African passport	Use the passport you will carry to Ethiopia and ensure it has at least six months remaining after your planned entry date.
Passport photograph	Prepare a recent passport-sized photo in the format accepted by the online application. Embassy guidance describes the photo as typically having been taken within the previous six months.
Application information	Enter names, passport details, travel dates, and other information exactly as shown in the passport. The official e-Visa system requires online registration and application submission.
Email address	Use an email account you can access because the approval authorisation is sent electronically.
Payment method	Pay online through the official application process and verify the final amount before confirming payment.

4. Pay and save the approval

After completing the application, pay the displayed fee online. Once approved, save the authorisation email and print a copy to carry with your passport. The Ethiopian embassy says the approved e-Visa authorises travel and that the passport is stamped with the visa on arrival in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia visa fees for South African citizens in 2026

The fee table below is based on an Ethiopian embassy’s published e-Visa information. Because the government portal is the payment point and fees may be updated, confirm the current fee and any additional charge on evisa.gov.et immediately before applying.

Tourist e-Visa	Published fee	Entry
Up to 30 days	US$50, plus a US$2 processing fee	Single entry
Up to 90 days	US$70, plus a US$2 processing fee	Single entry

The official e-Visa portal states that application fees are not refundable. Check the spelling of your name, passport number, date of birth, travel dates, and visa category before paying because an error may require a new application and payment.

Processing times, validity and permitted stay

The supplied official sources do not guarantee a fixed processing time for a South African applicant. Confirm the current processing estimate on the official e-Visa portal and apply well before your flight rather than relying on a same-day decision. The government information confirms the online application and approval process but does not support a guaranteed number of hours or business days.

Tourist visas are generally issued for either 30 or 90 days, depending on the type approved. The online tourist options listed by the embassy are single-entry. Use the visa period and entry conditions shown on your approval notice, not an assumption based on the date you paid.

The official portal requires at least six months of passport validity after the planned entry date. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before applying so that the passport details in the application match the document you will present.

Arriving in Ethiopia: what immigration checks

At Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, present your South African passport and approved e-Visa authorisation. The Ethiopian embassy explains that the online approval authorises travel and that the visa is stamped into the passport upon arrival in Addis Ababa.

• Carry the passport used for the application.
• Keep a printed or accessible copy of the approval email.
• Check that the visa details correspond with your passport before leaving the immigration desk.
• Use the authorised entry point and conditions stated by the current e-Visa approval and official portal. Ethiopia-specific entry arrangements can change, so verify them before departure.

Passengers making an airside connection at Addis Ababa may not need an Ethiopian visa if they remain inside the airport and do not pass immigration or leave the airport. This exception is limited to transit circumstances and should not be used if you plan to enter Ethiopia during the connection.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Transit

Transit passengers who remain airside and do not pass the immigration desk are described by Ethiopian consular guidance as not requiring a visa. If you must collect baggage, change to a separate ticket, leave the airport, or pass immigration, confirm the applicable requirement with the airline and Ethiopian authorities before travel.

Extensions

The supplied official research does not establish an extension period, online extension process, or guaranteed approval route for a tourist e-Visa. If you need to stay longer than the period granted, contact Ethiopian immigration authorities or an Ethiopian embassy before the visa expires and confirm the available procedure. Do not assume that a 30-day visa can automatically be converted into a 90-day visa.

Overstays

Do not remain in Ethiopia beyond the authorised stay. The research does not provide a current overstay fine or penalty, so confirm the consequences and regularisation procedure directly with Ethiopian immigration authorities before travelling. This article does not provide legal advice, and immigration requirements can change.

Common Ethiopia e-Visa mistakes and rejection risks

• Applying with less than six months’ passport validity: the official portal requires at least six months remaining after planned entry.
• Choosing the wrong visa purpose: the online tourist route is for tourism, while business and other categories may require a different application.
• Using an incorrect passport number or name: the approval is issued against the application and passport details, so check the form carefully before payment.
• Assuming visa on arrival is automatic: official guidance limits arrival eligibility to some nationalities, and the supplied research does not confirm South African eligibility.
• Booking a non-refundable safari before approval: wait for the authorisation email where possible, and compare safari packages on SafariFind while keeping visa approval and travel dates in mind.
• Ignoring the entry conditions on the approval: the e-Visa process provides an authorisation to travel and passport stamping on arrival, so carry the approval and follow the stated entry instructions.

For a broader comparison of Ethiopia entry planning, you can also read whether Singaporean citizens need an Ethiopia visa in 2026. The answer for each traveller still depends on the passport nationality and the purpose of the visit.

Plan your Ethiopia safari documents early

For South African citizens, the clearest documented route for a tourism visit is to apply online for an Ethiopian single-entry tourist e-Visa, meet the six-month passport rule, pay the fee shown on the official portal, and wait for approval before departure. Keep checking the official portal because fees, processing information, eligible nationalities, and entry procedures can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Ethiopia?

Yes, South African passport holders need a visa to enter Ethiopia, and current eligibility information lists South Africa as eligible for an Ethiopian e-Visa. For tourism, apply for the single-entry tourist e-Visa through the official portal.

How much is an Ethiopia visa for South African citizens in 2026?

The published tourist e-Visa fees are US$50 for up to 30 days or US$70 for up to 90 days, plus a US$2 processing fee. Confirm the current amount on the official portal because fees can change and payments are non-refundable.

How long does an Ethiopia e-Visa take for South African citizens?

The supplied official sources do not guarantee a fixed processing time for South African applicants. Check the current estimate on the official e-Visa portal and apply before booking or travelling.

How long is an Ethiopia tourist e-Visa valid?

The tourist options described in the research are generally for 30 or 90 days, depending on the visa issued. The online tourist options are single-entry.

What passport validity is required for Ethiopia?

Your passport must have at least six months remaining after the date you plan to enter Ethiopia. Apply with the same passport that you will present at the border.

Can South African citizens get an Ethiopia visa on arrival?

Do not assume that visa on arrival is guaranteed for South African citizens. Ethiopian guidance says some nationalities may qualify at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, but the supplied official research does not confirm South African eligibility specifically.

Can I apply for an Ethiopia visa online from South Africa?

Yes, eligible South African passport holders can apply for the tourist e-Visa online through evisa.gov.et. The process involves registration, completing the application, online payment, and checking the status electronically.

Can I get a multiple-entry Ethiopia tourist e-Visa?

The embassy information says only single-entry tourist visas can be issued online. If you need a multiple-entry visa, contact an Ethiopian embassy about the appropriate application route.

Do I need an Ethiopia visa if I am only transiting at Addis Ababa?

You may not need a visa if you remain airside, do not leave the airport, and do not pass the immigration desk. Confirm the arrangement with your airline if your connection requires baggage collection, an airport exit, or immigration clearance.

Are Ethiopia e-Visa fees refundable?

No, the official Ethiopian e-Visa portal states that application fees are not refundable. Check all application details before submitting payment.