Visas

Journalist Visa

 

If you are a journalist, filmmaker, photographer or media professional commissioned to travel to Ethiopia to report on a given situation or story, you will require a journalist visa.

 

If you are unsure if you need this kind of visa, please contact the Public Diplomacy Department. But first, have a look at the FAQs page to see if any of the questions apply to you.

 

Please be aware that we can only take applications from U.K. residents only. Non-U.K. passport holders will be required to provide proof of residence. If your team is multinational, you will need to apply separately through the Embassy where the team member is resident.

 

We recommend that you submit your application to the Embassy at least 21 days in advance of your proposed trip to Ethiopia. Some applications, however, may take longer to process.

 

Visa issuance is not guaranteed. We therefore advise not to make final travel plans until you have received confirmation that your permit and visa has been approved.

1. Required Documents

You are required to submit the following documents by email to the Public Diplomacy Department at least 21 days in advance of your proposed trip to Ethiopia.

 

  • Formal application letter on headed paper and signed

    The application letter, addressed to the “Public Diplomacy and Communications Department, Embassy of Ethiopia“, must be on headed paper and signed, detailing:

    The purpose of trip, proposed dates of travel, locations and some background information about the report or program;

    Details of the travelling journalist(s)/crew (full name, passport number, nationality and role);

    Background information about the media organisation, production company or individual

  • Copy of passport for each person travelling
  • A kitlist / carnet of all equipment being taken

    A list of all equipment being taken into Ethiopia, including serial numbers

  • Relevant supporting documents

    For film crews, the letter should be accompanied by the title (working title) of the film, a script or synopsis, film locations and a statement of production costs

    If you have been commissioned by a third party or a charity/NGO, you must also submit supporting letters from the company involved.

    If you are working with any organisation/company in Ethiopia, you must also submit a signed invitation letter from them.

    If you are a freelance journalist, you are required to submit a resume of your work.

  • Aerial photography / filming

    If you plan on taking films or photos from a plane or helicopter, permission must be sought in advance from the Civil Aviation Authority. You must state this in your application letter.

Additional supporting documents may be requested at the Embassy’s discretion.
Next
Submission

2. Submitting your application to the Embassy

We recommend that you submit your application to the Embassy at least 21 days in advance of your proposed trip to Ethiopia.

Please submit the required documents by email to press@ethioembassy.org.uk.

Your documents will be reviewed, and if at this stage additional supporting documents are required, you will be notified.

If the Embassy confirms that your application fulfils the requirements, your application will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson’s Office on your behalf, and then on to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority and the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs Office for visa approval.

Prev
Required Documents
Next
Application Processing

3. Processing your application

Your application will be sent to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority for permit approval and then on to the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs office for the visa approval.

This process may take up to two weeks. Some applications, however, may take longer.

We cannot guarantee processing by any set date, so please do not make final travel plans until you have received confirmation that your permit and visa have both been approved.

Prev
Submission
Next
Visa Processing

4. Visa Processing

Once your application has been approved by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority and the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs office, you may submit your application to the Embassy for visa processing.

You are required to submit the following documents to the Consular Section for your visa application:

  • A completed visa application form.

    Download and complete the Visa Application Form

    Complete the visa application form for each person travelling to Ethiopia.

    The form must be completed in BLOCK CAPITAL letters in either blue or black ink.

    You must:

    • Complete the form to the best of your ability, answering all the required questions clearly. Your application may not be processed if you fail to provide all necessary information
    • Sign and date the form, where asked
    • Include your daytime telephone number and/or email address in case we need to contact you regarding your application.
  • Your passport.

    Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months and must have at least two blank pages.

    Please note that we cannot issue a visa unless you submit your passport.

  • The original application documents.

    The original application documents submitted to the Public Diplomacy Department in support of your application.

  • A photocopy of your passport.
  • One passport photograph.

    One recent, passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph. 

    The photograph should be full face without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless for ethnic or religious reasons.

    The photo should be attached to the visa application form by paper clip or another non-permanent means. DO NOT staple the photograph to the application form.

    Please write your name on the back of the photograph in BLOCK CAPITAL letters.

    Please note that we may not accept photographs that do not meet these specifications.

  • The visa application fee.

    A 30-day single entry journalist visa costs £34.00.

    A fill list of fees can also be found here.

  • Evidence of your status in the United Kingdom.

    Evidence of your status in the United Kingdom, if you are not a U.K. passport holder. 

    As E.U. nationals have the right to stay in the U.K., E.U. passport holders are required to submit proof of residency such as a utility bill, council tax or letter from your employer or school.

    Bank statements and Drivers License cannot be accepted as proof of residency.

Applicants who are not normally resident in the United Kingdom must apply to the Ethiopian Embassy accredited to their country or that which is closest to their place of legal residence.

 

Applying in Person

You may submit your application for a journalist visa at the Embassy at any time during working hours

You do not require an appointment to submit your visa application at the Embassy.

Please note that we are unable to process your application without prior approval from the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs office.

If you wish for your passport to be returned to you by post, you must submit a pre-paid, self-addressed special delivery envelope at the time of your application

 

 

Applying by Post or Courier

If you are not able to apply for a visa in person, you may also apply via post or courier service. We recommend that you allow extra time for postal applications.

If submitting by Royal Mail, we recommend that you send your application to us using recorded delivery, to allow you to track the delivery of your passport.

The Embassy cannot take responsibility for any items lost in the post.

Prev
Application Processing
Next
Visa Processing Times

5. Visa processing times and return of passport.

Visa applications made in person at the Embassy are processed within three working days. Some applications, however, may take longer.

We cannot guarantee visa issuance by a set date.

At the time you submit your application, you will be notified when to come and collect your passport. If you wish for your passport to be returned to you by post, you will be required to submit a pre-paid, self-addressed special delivery envelope.

Prev
Visa Processing
Next
Collecting permit

6. Collecting your permit.

Once your visa has been issued and you have travelled to Ethiopia, you are required to collect your media permit at the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority before any filming or reporting can commence.

The cost of a media permit is usually a small percentage of the production costs.

Each person travelling must submit two recent colour passport photographs in support of the application.

Prev
Visa Processing Times
Next
Additional Information

7. Additional Information

Length of stay under journalist visas

If your application is successful, you will be issued with a single-entry visa valid for up to 30 days.

If you wish to stay in Ethiopia for a longer period than that which has been indicated in your visa, you are required to apply for an extension at the Main Department for Immigration Office in Addis Ababa.

Visa Validity

Please be aware that visas are valid from the date of entry into Ethiopia.

After your trip

After completing your trip, you will be expected to submit a copy of the report you have filed to the Public Diplomacy Department. This can be in the form of an article, film, photos, etc.

Any questions?

Please review our FAQs page before contacting the Embassy.

Prev
Collecting permit