Visa and Immigration Requirements
Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Ethiopia, with the exception of nationals of Kenya and Djibouti. Visas may be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas. However, nationals of 37 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia. The nationals of these countries can also apply for a tourist visa on line at www.evisa.gov.et. The list includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, the New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.
Health Requirements
A yellow fever certificate is required for some African destinations. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.
Public Holidays
Public holidays are celebrated according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar which consists of the following:
September 2018– September 2019 Year
Date | Public holidays | Remarks |
September 11 | Ethiopian New Year | National holiday |
September 27 | The Finding of the True Cross (Meskel) | Christian holiday |
October 26 | Id Al Adaha (Arafa) | Muslim holiday |
January 7 | Ethiopian Christmas | Christian holiday |
January 19 | Ethiopian Epiphany | Christian holiday |
January 24 | Prophet Mohamed’s Birthday(Maulid) | Muslim holiday |
March 2 | Victory of Adwa | National holiday |
May 1 | International Labor Day | National holiday |
May 3 | Ethiopian Good Friday | Christian holiday |
May 5 May 5 |
Ethiopian Patriots day Easter |
National holiday Christian holiday |
May 28 | Downfall of the Derg | National holiday |
August 8 | Id Al Fater (Ramadan) | Muslim holiday |
The maximum number of office closure days in a year is 12.
Business Hours
Government
Government offices work 39 hours in a week. Office hours extend from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (lunch break from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m.) Monday through Thursday, and from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Fridays.
To visit our partners, click here.
Banks
Most banks are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., including lunch hours, Monday through Friday. Most banks are also open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Ethiopia has 3 public banks and 16 private banks, as well as numerous insurance companies (one public and 15 private) and 31 micro-finance institutions. Internationally recognized credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are available in Ethiopia through two leading Ethiopian banks, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Dashen Bank. Until recently, Dashen Bank was the only Ethiopian bank to distribute Mastercard, but in March 2014 Awash International Bank (AIB) announced a partnership with Mastercard International.
List of Banks in Ethiopia:
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List of Insurance Companies in Ethiopia:
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Click here for all the banks and insurance contact information.
Shops
Most shops are open up to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Some shops, particularly supermarkets, are open on Sundays and public holidays.