Apply for your Ethiopia Business eVisa online

Yes. Almost all foreign nationals (except citizens of Kenya and Djibouti) require a visa for business purposes. While tourist visas can sometimes be obtained on arrival, business visas should be secured online (eVisa) or at an embassy in advance. The Ethiopia Business eVisa (specifically the Business and Related Studies Visa - BRV) is the official route for meetings, workshops, and marketing research. If you are attending a formal conference, you should apply for the Conference Visa sub-category.

You will receive your approved eVisa as a PDF document via email. This document contains your visa number, validity dates, and a barcode. While the system is digital, the Ethiopian authorities require you to print a physical copy to present to the immigration officer upon arrival at Bole International Airport.

If you applied through iVisa, you can also find a copy of your approval PDF in your dashboard.

The most common Business eVisas offer the following:

• 30-day Single Entry: Valid for a stay of up to 30 days from the date of entry.
• 90-day Single Entry: Valid for a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry.
• Investment/Work Sub-types: May offer multiple-entry options (90 days, 6 months, or 12 months) depending on the specific government authorization and invitation type.

Yes. You can request a visa extension at the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) Head Office in Addis Ababa (Kazanchis area). It is recommended to apply for an extension at least one week before your current visa expires. Short extensions (1-15 days) may be processed via the official online portal, while longer extensions require an in-person visit.

The Ethiopian government typically processes business applications within 3 to 5 business days. With iVisa, you can get it in as little as 2 days.

No. The Ethiopia eVisa is valid only for arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. If you intend to enter via land borders (e.g., from Kenya, Sudan, or Djibouti), you must apply for a traditional sticker visa at an Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.

No. The Ethiopia eVisa is exclusively valid for travelers arriving via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. If you plan to enter Ethiopia via land borders (such as from Kenya or Djibouti), you must obtain a traditional visa from an Ethiopian Embassy or Consulate prior to your trip.

Rejections often occur due to "clerical errors," such as a missing or expired business license from the host company or mismatched names. If rejected, government fees are non-refundable. iVisa's review service significantly reduces this risk by verifying that your host company's documents are valid and your passport scans are high-quality before the government sees them. We also offer optional denial protection.