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Ethiopia Visa for France Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

French citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, or apply for an e-Visa in advance at evisa.gov.et — both options allow tourist stays of up to 30 or 90 days.

Guide last updated September 22, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry, with at least 2 blank pages
  • No pre-approval required for the airport visa-on-arrival counter; USD cash preferred for payment
  • Return or onward ticket may be checked
  • Proof of accommodation is good practice to carry
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from (or having transited through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission
  • Biometrics: photo and fingerprints taken at immigration on arrival
  • Travel health insurance: recommended, not mandatory

Visa types

  • Tourist Visa on Arrival: single entry, valid for a stay of up to 30 or 90 days depending on the option selected and fee paid, available at Bole International Airport
  • Tourist e-Visa: applied for in advance at evisa.gov.et, same stay lengths available (30 or 90 days), single entry
  • Business e-Visa: requires an invitation letter from an Ethiopian company or organization, applied through the same e-Visa portal
  • Transit Visa: for short layovers, available on arrival or online for stays of a few days

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa (main entry point for most French travelers)
  • Steps: after landing, proceed to the visa counter before passport control, select 30-day or 90-day tourist visa, pay the fee, and receive the visa sticker before continuing to immigration
  • Fee: approximately USD 52 for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa, and higher for the 90-day option (fees adjust periodically); cash in USD is generally preferred, cards not always accepted
  • Queue tips: lines can build up around peak arrival times; having exact USD cash speeds up the process considerably
  • The e-Visa applied in advance is recommended to skip this queue entirely and guarantee entry before departure

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival (30 days): approximately USD 52
  • e-Visa (30 days): similar fee, roughly USD 52, processed online typically within 3 business days
  • e-Visa (90 days): higher fee, around USD 72–82
  • No separate VFS/BLS fee for either channel — both go directly through Ethiopian immigration authorities
  • Standard e-Visa processing: up to 3 business days; apply at least a week before travel to allow for any delays

Tips for France travelers

  • Apply for the e-Visa in advance rather than relying solely on the arrival counter, especially during peak travel season, to avoid long queues
  • Bring USD cash as a backup even if you hold an e-Visa, in case of any processing issues at the airport
  • A common e-Visa rejection reason is a mismatched or unclear passport scan — ensure the upload is sharp and shows the full bio page
  • Extensions of stay are handled by the Ethiopian Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency in Addis Ababa
  • The French Embassy in Addis Ababa can assist with passport emergencies but does not handle visa extensions or fee issues

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.