Located in Eastern Africa in the Horn of Africa, the Republic of Eritrea has a mixed population of Afro-Asiatics. The country is divided in language and religion. The Eritrea has beautiful people that have unique genetics. The country is also known for having one of the best colonial architectural structures in the world. However, almost everyone who wants to visit the country must apply for an Eritrea visa.
Read the article below for further information on how to apply for an Eritrea visa.
Who Needs a Visa for Eritrea?
The Republic of Eritrea is one of a few countries that requires almost every nationality to apply for an Eritrea visa before entering the country.
Visa Exemptions
Here are a few nationalities that do not need a visa to enter the country:
- Uganda citizens.
- Minors under 18, if accompanied by parents holding a national ID card issued by Eritrea, do not need a visa to enter the country.
- Holders of diplomatic, service passports and passports for public affairs from the Republic of China do not need a visa to enter and stay in the country for 60 days.
Visa on Arrival
Foreign citizens of the countries listed below can obtain an Eritrea visa at the port of entry:
- Ethiopia*
- Sudan
*Citizens of Ethiopia can stay in the country for 30 days with a visa on arrival.
How to Apply for an Eritrea Visa?
To apply for an Eritrea visa, follow these steps:
- Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Eritrea in your home country and book a visa appointment. For further information regarding the embassies and consulates of Eritrea worldwide, click here.
- Fully complete and sign out the Eritrea visa application form.
- Gather and submit the required documents.
- Attend the interview.
- Wait for a response from the embassy or consulate to which you have submitted your documents. The processing time can take up to four weeks.
General Eritrea Visa Requirements
Here are the documents you must submit when applying for an Eritrea visa:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the return date.
- Fully completed Eritrea visa application form.
- Passport-sized photo according to the Eritrea visa photo requirements.
- Flight itinerary. This is a document that shows what you will be doing in France, when you will arrive and when you will leave, and includes proof of arranged transportation as i.e. plane tickets booking.
- Bank statement.
- Criminal record.
- An accommodation proof in Eritrea.
- Fee payment proof.
- Proof of residency in your home country.
- Yellow fever card applicable to people travelling from these countries:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- French Guyana
- Guyana
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Venezuela
Note: Other additional documents may be required from the embassy or consulate of Eritrea, deepening on the type of visa you are applying for.
Duration of an Eritrea Visa
The duration of an Eritrea visa is from one to three months. Foreign citizens who want to stay longer than three months in the country must apply for an extension of their visa at the Immigration Office in Asmara.
The Immigration Office can extend your official visa twice. To apply for an extension of your visa, you will need a photo, and you will need to finish an additional fee at the Immigration Office.
Eritrea Visa Fees
Here are all the Eritrea visa fees:
| Visa Types | Fee Amount |
| Bussiness Visa | $70 |
| Employment Visa | $70 |
| Family Visit Visa | $50 |
| Student Visa | $50 |
| Official Visa | N/A |
| Tourist Visa | $50 |
| Transit Visa | $30 |
Keep in mind that the Eritrea visa fees can change depending on several factors. So make sure you contact the embassy/consulate of Eritrea before applying for a visa regarding the fee amount payment you need to finish.
Important: The Eritrea fee payment amount is nonrefundable.
Eritrea Visa Types
Here are all the Eritrea visa types:
- Business visa.
- Employment visa.
- Family visit visa.
- Official visa.
- Student visa.
- Tourist visa.
- Transit visa.
Business Visa
A business visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit Eritrea for business purposes. To apply for a business visa, submit these additional documents:
- A letter explaining the purpose of your visit to Eritrea.
- Fully completed visa application form.
Employment Visa
An employment visa is issued to foreigners who want to stay and work in the country. Applicants who want to apply for an employment visa need to submit these additional documents:
- Bank statements.
- A letter of invitation from your employment sponsoring your entire stay in the city.
Family Visits Visa
Foreign citizens who want to reunite with their family members in Eritrea must apply for a family visit visa. Apart from the requested documents mentioned above, they must have a reference in Eritrea. Your reference needs to be a family member that is resident in Eritrea.
Official Visa
An official visa is issued to foreigners who must enter the country for diplomatic purposes. To apply for an official visa, you must submit these documents:
- Proof of your residency (G4 Visa).
- A Diplomatic note or verbal stating the purpose of your visit to the country.
Student Visa
A student visa is issued to applicants who want to study in Eritrea. To apply for an Eritrea student visa, the applicant must have a document proving that they have been accepted to a University in Eritrea.
Tourist Visa
A tourist visa is issued to applicants who want to visit the country for tourism and visit purposes.
Transit Visa
Foreign citizens who need to transit through Eritrea to arrive at their final destination must apply for an Eritrea transit visa. Applicants must have an aeroplane ongoing proof ticket to apply for a transit visa.
Travel Tips
Here are ten tips you probably need before travelling to Eritrea:
- Avoid walking alone at night since there are many cases of kidnapping.
- Do not keep valuable things with you while walking in the country since there is a high risk of robbery.
- Do not attend public gatherings; they can get violent.
- Be careful where you step; there can be active landmines.
- Be careful which countries you visit since Eritrea is in conflict with different countries, and different attacks are possible.
- Avoid travelling to the borders of Ethiopia and Sudan within 50 kilometres.
- Always be aware of your surroundings in public places.
- Avoid travelling alone to Eritrea.
- Be aware that the country has a problem with water supplies.
- Many cities have limited time where you can use a landline telephone, cell phone or an internet network.