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Eritrea
Country Specific Information
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April 28, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Eritrea is a poor but developing East African country, the capital of which is Asmara. Formerly a province of Ethiopia,
Eritrea became an independent country on May 24, 1993, following a 30-year struggle that culminated in an overwhelming referendum
vote for independence. Tourism facilities are very limited. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Eritrea for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All travelers must have a passport and valid visa prior to arrival; visas are not available at the airport. All visitors
to Eritrea who cannot be considered Eritrean citizens and who enter the country with a U.S. passport and a visa do not need
an exit visa as long as they do not stay past their visa expiration date. Persons who stay beyond the time for which their
visa is valid may be subject to fines or imprisonment, or be required to remain in Eritrea for more than a month while their
case is reviewed in court. All long-term residents, regardless of their citizenship, must obtain an exit visa before departure. Upon
entry and exit, visitors must declare foreign currency and may be asked to declare electronic equipment such as cameras, computers
and video equipment. Visitors should save all receipts for foreign exchange and present these upon departure. Failure to report
foreign currency or meet customs requirements could result in imprisonment and/or a fine. There is an airport departure tax. Information
about the airport tax and entry/exit requirements is available from the Embassy of Eritrea, 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 319-1991; fax (202) 319-1304. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Eritrean
embassy or consulate.
U.S. citizens who were born in Eritrea, or of Eritrean parents, or who in any other way appear to have Eritrean origins, are
required to register with the Immigration and Nationality office in Asmara within seven business days of their entry into
the country. See the “Special Circumstances” section below for more information about dual nationality.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Following the 1998-2000 armed conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia, a peace agreement was signed in December 2000. The United
Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) has been deployed as a peacekeeping force along the Eritrean-Ethiopian border
since January 2001 to monitor portions of a 25-kilometer wide Temporary Security Zone. Physical demarcation of the border
has not yet begun. Diesel supply restrictions placed on UN peacekeeping operations by the Government of the State of Eritrea
(GSE) in December 2007 resulted in UN detachments having to withdraw from the TSZ in March 2008, leaving no international
monitors on the border. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia maintain large military presences along the border and currently all border
crossings into Ethiopia from Eritrea remain closed. U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian
border and to register their presence in Eritrea with the U.S. Embassy in Asmara.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious problem throughout the country. There are reports of accidents and numerous
incidents where vehicles and people occasionally detonate mines. Many detonations occurred on relatively well-traveled roads
in and near the Gash Barka region of western Eritrea; subsequent investigations indicated that several mines had been laid
recently. Vast areas of the country still have not been certified free of mines and unexploded ordnance left over from both
the 30-year war for independence and the subsequent 1998-2000 conflict. Americans should avoid walking alone and hiking in
riverbeds or areas that local government officials have not certified as safe.
Although Eritrea and Sudan have diplomatic relations, the procedures for crossing their common border are not clear and subject
to change, and overland travel between the two countries is dangerous and highly ill advised. The Eritrean-Sudanese frontier
north and west of the Keren-Barentu road is another unsafe border area, and travelers travel at the risk of banditry or Islamic
extremist insurgent activity. Several incidents were reported in 2007 that apparently involved insurgents or criminals in
this area. The U.S. Embassy has also received reports of sporadic bombings of vehicles and government facilities in the Gash
Barka region near Sudan in 2007 and 2008. If travel near the Eritrean-Sudanese border is essential, travelers should consult
both the Eritrean authorities and the U.S. Embassy in advance. Travelers who wish to visit any area outside of Asmara must
apply at least ten days in advance for a travel permit from the Eritrean government.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's web site at where
the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada,
or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Reported incidences of street crime, such as theft, robbery, and assault in Asmara increased significantly in 2007. Travelers should exercise vigilance in their personal security and safety precautions regarding what valuables they carry and which areas they visit.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and
prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the
local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Eritrea are extremely limited. Travelers must carry
their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventative medicines because pharmaceuticals are in short supply. Food and
water-borne illnesses are very common among travelers, so drink only bottled or purified water and eat foods that are cooked
or peeled. Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in Eritrea.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's Internet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Eritrea is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
The roads between major cities (Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Barentu, and Keren) are paved and are in relatively
good condition. However, secondary roads and those in remote areas are usually unpaved and in poor condition, so U.S. citizens
should avoid traveling on them, especially at night. Bad weather can also make poor roads worse. If you must take unpaved
roads, check first with local government and village officials as new minefields continue to be discovered.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the countryside in many areas, occasionally causing injuries and deaths. Although
the UN had conducted de-mining efforts until late 2007, evidence of new mines has been reported, particularly in areas near
the border region. All areas that are not well traveled are potentially dangerous due to live mines, especially north and
west of Keren. There are also minefields near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, south of Tessenae, Nakfa, Adi Keih, Arezza,
Dekemhare, and in a roughly 40-kilometer wide region just west of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border between the Setit and Mereb
Rivers.
Many Eritreans use inexpensive public transportation, especially bus service, but travelers should avoid taking buses if possible
because extreme over-crowding makes them unsafe. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Asmara, but usually carry multiple
passengers who tend not to wear seatbelts. If an empty taxi is available, a customer may request a "contract" for a slightly
higher price so the driver will not pick up additional passengers. This option increases comfort and safety at a small extra
cost. Drivers should be aware of heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic that obstructs the flow of vehicles on city streets. Occasionally
horse-drawn carts, cattle, or goats add to the obstacles. Other hazards are children and the elderly, who sometimes wander
into the path of moving traffic, and small, slow, motorized carts. Elderly or disabled people usually drive these carts and
do not always yield to faster moving traffic. When parallel parking on city streets, watch for pedestrians as you back into
the space.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Eritrea, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Eritrea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Eritrea has complicated citizenship laws and does not recognize renunciation of Eritrean citizenship. Dual nationals who
enter the country on Eritrean documents are treated as Eritrean citizens, regardless of their other citizenship. U.S. citizens
born in Eritrea, or who otherwise are considered to have acquired Eritrean citizenship, may be subject to certain obligations,
including being drafted into national service, regardless of the documents they present at entry. (National service is approximately
six months of military training, followed by an often unspecified number of years in military or other government service.)
U.S.-Eritrean dual nationals who enter the country on an Eritrean passport or national ID card must obtain an exit visa prior
to departure. Exit visa applications can significantly delay travel plans or be denied, even for persons who entered Eritrea
legally. Eritrean dual nationals are also required to pay a 2% income tax on overseas earnings to the Eritrean Government
prior to being granted an exit visa.
Additionally, Eritrean authorities maintain that Eritreans who left the country after 1993, and prior to obtaining U.S. citizenship,
may not depart Eritrea once they re-enter, even if they have a U.S. passport and valid Eritrean visa. The U.S. Embassy in
Asmara knows of several such cases where the individuals were imprisoned, although they were later released. The Government
of the State of Eritrea neither informs the U.S. Embassy that American Citizens have been detained, nor does it allow consular
assistance in most instances.
Visitors are advised to exercise caution when taking photographs in Eritrea. Foreigners in Asmara have been harassed and detained
by local police and plain clothes security officials for taking photographs of street scenes in the city. No law has been
cited, but the arresting officials' justifications have been that (unmarked) government buildings are in the background and/or
that the pictures are being taken (illegally) for commercial reasons.
All foreign nationals in Eritrea are required to apply for permits to travel outside of Asmara. Travel permits must be presented
at all checkpoints. Checkpoints are found on major roads through Eritrea; but locations may change without notice. Applications
for travel permits are available at the Ministry of Tourism located on Harnet Avenue.
American Citizens should also be aware that these travel restrictions apply to U.S. diplomatic personnel. The Government of
Eritrea requires resident diplomats to apply 10 days in advance for travel outside of the Asmara city limits; often travel
permission is not given even after the 10-day period. This restriction can delay or prevent U.S. Embassy assistance to American
citizens.
There is a high risk of earthquakes in Eritrea. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available on the
Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov. Please see our information on Customs Regulations.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for
breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Eritrean laws, even
unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Eritrea
are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sex with children or using
or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information
on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues web pages.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Eritrea are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Eritrea. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 179 Alaa Street, PO Box 211, Asmara; telephone (291-1) 12-00-04; fax (291-1) 124-255 and (291-1) 127-584; the Embassy’s web site is located at http://eritrea.usembassy.gov/.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Eritrea dated October 15, 2007 to update sections on Safety and Security,
Crime, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Special Circumstances.
