Djibouti Visa & e-Visa 2026: How to Apply
Every visitor to Djibouti needs an e-visa, applied for in advance at evisa.gouv.dj. It costs USD 23, paid by card, and takes 3 to 4 working days. It is single-entry only and expires the moment you leave the country, so the dates you enter must match your real arrival and departure. The application asks for a hotel booking or an invitation letter, and we send booked guests the invitation letter so the application is complete. A visa on arrival is available only in a genuine emergency.
How to apply for the Djibouti e-visa
Apply on the official portal, evisa.gouv.dj. You upload a passport scan and a digital photo, enter your travel details, pay online and receive the approved e-visa by email, usually within a few business days. Apply at least a week or two before you travel to be safe.
What you need
- 01A passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival, with a blank page.
- 02A recent passport-style digital photo.
- 03Your flight booking (proof of arrival by air) plus onward or return travel.
Use the official portal: avoid the markup
Search results are full of third-party "visa service" websites that reapply for the same government e-visa and add a large service fee on top, often several times the real cost. You do not need them. Apply directly on evisa.gouv.dj and you pay only the modest official government fee, which is tiered by length of stay. Always confirm the current fee on the portal itself before paying anywhere else.
Land borders & overland trips
Because the e-visa covers air arrivals only, there is no online option for overland entry. If you are combining Djibouti with Ethiopia or Somaliland by road, arrange the correct visa in advance through a Djiboutian embassy. Tell us your route and we will advise exactly what you need.
We handle it on our trips
On every Adulis journey to Djibouti we guide you through the e-visa application and prepare the supporting documents, so the paperwork is one less thing to think about. One tip from experience: keep a printed copy of the e-visa PDF with your passport, airlines ask for it at check-in, long before you reach Djibouti immigration. See our complete Djibouti travel guide and the best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Djibouti? Most nationalities do. The easiest option is the e-visa, applied for online at the official portal evisa.gouv.dj before you fly.
How much does the Djibouti visa cost? The official government e-visa fee is modest and depends on the length of stay. Beware third-party sites that add a large markup, always check and pay on the official portal, evisa.gouv.dj.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Djibouti? The e-visa is arranged online before an air arrival at Djibouti-Ambouli Airport (JIB). Land and sea entries need a visa from a Djiboutian embassy in advance.
Can I use the Djibouti e-visa to cross by land from Ethiopia or Somaliland? No, the e-visa is valid for air arrivals only. For an overland crossing you need an embassy-issued visa arranged before you travel.