How to Get an Eritrea Visa in 2026: Visa on Arrival or Embassy

All foreign nationals, except those holding an Eritrean National ID card, require a valid visa to enter Eritrea. The category you apply for depends on the purpose and duration of your visit.

• 01

  Tourist Visa: Up to 30 Days

  For leisure, sightseeing, and cultural exploration. Valid for 30 days from the date of entry into the country, and valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
• 02

  Business Visa: Up to 90 Days

  For meetings, conferences, and commercial activity. Requires an invitation letter from an Eritrean entity.

There are two clear routes to obtaining a visa to Eritrea. The right choice depends on whether you are traveling with an organized tour or independently.

For guests traveling with us on an organized tour, we offer a complete visa-on-arrival service. You do not need to visit any embassy. We submit the visa application on your behalf before you depart and send you the approval as soon as Eritrean immigration issues it.

• 01
  1

  Send us your documents. We need a clear copy of your passport photo page, your full current address, phone number, job title, and a summary of your recent travel history (countries visited in the past 12–24 months). Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your tour and have a minimum of two blank visa pages.
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  2

  Pay the USD 50 processing fee. Due at the time of document submission. This covers our administrative coordination with Eritrean immigration authorities. The fee is non-refundable.
• 03
  3

  We submit and follow up on your behalf. Our Asmara team liaisons directly with the immigration office. Processing typically takes one to two weeks. We will contact you if any additional information is needed.
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  Receive your visa authorization by email. Once approved, we send you the document digitally. You must present this at airline check-in: airlines will not board passengers to Eritrea without it. Save both a digital and a printed copy.
• 05
  5

  Arrival at Asmara Airport. Our staff meet you in arrivals and escort you to the immigration office. You pay USD 70 in cash directly to Eritrean immigration, receive your official visa stamp, and you are free to enter Eritrea.

If you are traveling independently, not as part of one of our tours, you must apply for your visa directly through an Eritrean embassy or consulate in your home country. Eritrea maintains approximately 30 diplomatic missions worldwide, and many support online applications through the Consular Affairs Processing System (CAPS) at erembassy.com.

• 01
  1

  Find your nearest Eritrean mission. Use erembassy.com to locate the embassy or consulate responsible for your region. Embassies have specific days and hours for visa applications. Always confirm by phone or email before visiting in person.
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  2

  Download and complete the visa application form. The current form is FV62-2024, available from the embassy website or the CAPS portal. Fill it out accurately: errors or missing information can cause delays or rejection.
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  3

  Gather all supporting documents. See the full checklist in Section 7. This includes your passport, photographs, flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, and, for business visas, an invitation letter and employment documentation.
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  Submit your application and pay the visa fee. Applications can be submitted in person, by tracked mail, or via CAPS depending on your mission. Fees vary by nationality and are non-refundable. If mailing, always use a tracked courier and include a prepaid return envelope for your passport.
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  5

  Wait for processing: minimum 15 business days. The Washington D.C. embassy requires a minimum of 15 business days. Other missions may differ. Do not book flights until your visa is confirmed in writing.
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  Collect your passport with the visa stamp. Check that the visa type, dates, and your name are all correct before making any travel arrangements.

Eritrea maintains approximately 18 embassies, 11 consulates, and 1 permanent mission across roughly 25 countries. For the full list with addresses and contact details, visit erembassy.com.

For our visa-on-arrival service (Option A)

For embassy / consulate applications (Option B)

Regardless of which route you choose, applying early is the single most important step you can take.

Asmara International Airport (IATA: ASM) is located approximately 5 km from the city centre. Airlines currently serving Asmara include Eritrean Airlines (from Cairo, Istanbul, Dubai, Jeddah, Khartoum, and Nairobi), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), and Qatar Airways (via Doha). Note that Ethiopian Airlines suspended all Asmara flights indefinitely from October 2024.

Option B (embassy): Your visa is already stamped in your passport. Proceed through immigration normally. Always carry a photocopy of your passport throughout your stay: authorities may request to see it.

The standard tourist visa permits a stay of up to 30 days from the date of arrival. Business visas may be valid for up to 90 days. Always check the dates stamped in your passport on arrival: the permitted stay and visa validity period are not always the same.

Visa extensions are available through the Immigration Office in Asmara. Begin the process at least several days before your current visa expires. Overstaying is treated seriously in Eritrea and can result in fines, detention, or a mandatory review period before departure is permitted.

Visit a travel health clinic or your doctor at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Some vaccinations require multiple doses over several weeks. Start early.

Yellow Fever Required if applicable

Certificate required if arriving from a WHO-classified yellow fever transmission risk country. Valid for life. Travelers from Europe, North America, or most of Asia are generally not affected.

The visa lets you into Eritrea. To leave Asmara you also need a travel permit. Travel more than about 25 km beyond the capital requires a permit from the Ministry of Tourism in addition to your visa, and each destination has its own: if you are going to Massawa tomorrow, the Massawa permit is applied for today. Permits state the exact destinations, dates, vehicle and licensed guide. A few sites, such as Zula and Adulis, need a second special permit on top of the first.

Our team obtains every permit for tour guests before arrival and the fees are included in the tour price, so there is nothing to arrange on the ground. Independent travellers apply at the immigration office in Asmara, one destination at a time.

This guide is about the paperwork. The practical side of the trip has its own guides. Eritrea is a cash economy with no ATMs and no card payments, so read money in Eritrea before you pack. How to get to Eritrea lists the airlines that fly to Asmara. Is Eritrea safe for tourists? covers security, dress, photography rules and local etiquette, and attractions in Eritrea is where to start planning what to see once the visa is in your passport.

Whether applying through our service or at an embassy, these steps will help ensure a successful, stress-free application.

• 01
  Start early.

  Begin your visa application well in advance of planned travel. Our service takes 1–2 weeks; embassy processing takes a minimum of 15 business days. Apply at least four weeks before your travel date.
• 02
  Research requirements specific to your nationality.

  Visit the official website of the Eritrean embassy or consulate in your country to confirm the most current requirements before gathering documents.
• 03
  Check your passport thoroughly before anything else.

  It must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip and have a minimum of two completely blank pages. A near-expiry passport is one of the most common causes of visa delays.
• 04
  Fill out the application form carefully and legibly.

  Take your time. Any errors, inconsistencies, or missing information can delay processing or result in rejection. Double-check name spelling, passport number, and travel dates.
• 05
  Prepare all supporting documents before submitting.

  Gather your complete document set (invitation letter, accommodation proof, financial evidence, travel itinerary) before you submit anything. An incomplete application adds weeks to the process.
• 06
  Confirm accepted payment methods in advance.

  Visa fee payment methods vary by embassy. Confirm before visiting or mailing your application to avoid rejection on payment grounds.
• 07
  Submit your passport via tracked courier (Option B).

  Always use a tracked courier service, not regular post, when mailing your passport. Include a pre-paid tracked return envelope.
• 08
  Track your application.

  Note down any reference numbers provided. Use these to monitor your application status or contact the embassy directly if processing is running long.
• 09
  Do not book flights until visa is confirmed in writing.

  Non-refundable travel bookings made before written confirmation puts you at financial risk.
• 10
  Bring USD 70 in cash for the airport (Option A).

  Card payment is not available at Eritrean immigration. Carry USD 80–100 in clean, undamaged banknotes as a buffer.
• 11
  Save your visa authorization in multiple formats (Option A).

  Screenshot your document and store it offline. Carry a printed copy in your hand luggage: airlines require it at check-in.
• 12
  Book your travel health appointment 6–8 weeks before departure.

  Some vaccinations require multiple doses spaced over weeks: early action ensures you are fully protected in time.
• 13
  Follow up if necessary.

  If your application is taking longer than expected, contact the embassy or our team for an update. Polite follow-up is entirely appropriate.
• 14
  Review your visa carefully when it arrives.

  Check that your name, passport number, visa type, and dates are all correct before making any travel arrangements.

📚 Explore more Eritrea travel guides:
Things to do in Asmara • Massawa city guide • Dahlak Archipelago diving guide

🔗 Official resources: Eritrean Embassy Portal (erembassy.com) • Eritrean Embassy USA: Visa page • WHO Yellow Fever Risk Countries

Once your visa is sorted, start planning the rest of your trip with our Eritrea travel guide.