Business Visa

In Person

CUSTOMER NOTICE

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and until further notice, the Embassy is currently not accepting visa applications in person. Please apply for your visa either by post or online.

 

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Once your application has been approved by the Main Department of Immigration and Nationality Affairs office in Addis Ababa, you may submit your application for a business visa at the Embassy at any time during working hours

 

You do not require an appointment to apply for a visa at the Embassy.

 

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

1. Length of stay under business visas.

The following options are available under business visas:

  • Single entry visa valid for up to 30 days
  • Multiple entry visa valid for 3 months
  • Multiple entry visa valid for 6 months
  • Multiple entry visa valid for 1 year

When choosing the length of visa, please be aware that the visas are valid from the date of entry into Ethiopia.

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.

If you will be staying in Ethiopia for a period of more than 1 year, you will be issued with a single entry visa to enter Ethiopia, following which you are required to apply for a residency or work permit at the Main Department for Immigration Office in Addis Ababa.

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Application Form

2. Download and complete the visa application form.

Download Form

Completing 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.

If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact the consular section via the contact form.

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Visa Lengths
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Required Documents

3. Gather the required documents.

  • A completed visa application form.

    A completed Visa Application Form.

  • Your passport or travel document.

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

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

  • A formal application letter.

    A formal application letter on headed paper and signed from the sponsoring organisation or company, detailing the nature of your visit, the work that you will be undertaking in Ethiopia and the length of stay. If you are self-employed, this letter can be from a solicitor, accountant or company house.

  • A copy of the approval form.

    A copy of the approval form from the Main Department of Immigration and Nationality Affairs office in Addis Ababa.

  • A photocopy of your passport.
  • One recent, passport-sized 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 list of the fees can be found here.

  • A copy of your return ticket.

    A copy of your return ticket.

    Please do not include the original ticket. The Embassy cannot take responsibility for any items lost in the post.

    We recommend that you do not make final travel plans until you have received confirmation from the Main Department of Immigration and Nationality Affairs that your visa application has been approved.

  • 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 cannot be accepted as proof of residency.

  • If you are a student...

    If you are a student, your application should be accompanied by a letter from your school, college or university or your letter of invitation from an Ethiopian referee if applicable.

If you are a UK Home Office Travel Document holder, you MUST submit your application to the Embassy in person at least 15 days prior to travelling to Ethiopia.

 

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.
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Application Form
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Visa Fees

4. Visa Fees and Payment

The correct fee must be submitted with your visa application.

The following methods of payment are accepted:

  • Debit or credit card

 

Payment by cheque or any means other than those stated above, cannot be accepted.
We accept all major credit and debit cards apart from American Express.
Type of Visa Annotation Fee & Validity
Single Entry Visa for up to 1 month Multiple Entry Visa for up to 3 months Multiple Entry Visa for up to 6 months Multiple Entry Visa for up to 1 year
Investment (Business) I.V. £25.00 £34.00 £50.00 £100.00
Various Government Business G.I.V. £17.00 £67.00 £100.00
Employee of Foreign Company W.V. £34.00 £50.00 £67.00
Government Organisation G.V. £25.00 £34.00 £50.00
Regional & International Organisations R.I. £42.00 £59.00 £75.00
Private Enterprises P.E. £25.00 £42.00 £67.00
NGOs N.V. £50.00
Meetings, Workshops, Conferences, Events C.V. £25.00
Type of Visa
Investment (Business)
Annotation I.V.
Fee & Validity £25.00
Fee & Validity £34.00
Fee & Validity £50.00
Fee & Validity £100.00
Type of Visa
Various Government Business
Annotation G.I.V.
Fee & Validity £17.00
Fee & Validity £67.00
Fee & Validity £100.00
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
Employee of Foreign Company
Annotation W.V.
Fee & Validity £34.00
Fee & Validity £50.00
Fee & Validity £67.00
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
Government Organisation
Annotation G.V.
Fee & Validity £25.00
Fee & Validity £34.00
Fee & Validity £50.00
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
Regional & International Organisations
Annotation R.I.
Fee & Validity £42.00
Fee & Validity £59.00
Fee & Validity £75.00
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
Private Enterprises
Annotation P.E.
Fee & Validity £25.00
Fee & Validity £42.00
Fee & Validity £67.00
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
NGOs
Annotation N.V.
Fee & Validity £50.00
Fee & Validity
Fee & Validity
Fee & Validity
Type of Visa
Meetings, Workshops, Conferences, Events
Annotation C.V.
Fee & Validity £25.00
Fee & Validity
Fee & Validity
Fee & Validity

The above prices do not apply to American citizens.

By special arrangement with the US government, American citizens receive a two-year multiple entry visa for which the fee is £56.00.

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Required Documents
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Submission

5. Submitting your application to the Embassy.

You may submit your application at any time during the Consular Section’s working hours.

You do not require an appointment to submit your application.

 

Remember…visa applications MUST be accompanied by all the required documents.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

All UK Home Office Travel Document holders are required to submit their applications in person at the Embassy at least 15 days prior to travelling.

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. However, business visa applicants who choose to apply at the Ethiopian Embassy in London, must provide a letter stating why they are applying in the U.K. and should be aware that their application and documentation may be passed on, for verification purposes, to the Ethiopian Embassy accredited to their country origin or whichever Embassy is closest to their country of origin.

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Visa Fees
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Processing Times

6. Processing times and return of passport.

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.

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Submission