COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing country in East Africa. It is comprised of nine states and two city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa). The capital is Addis Ababa. Tourism facilities can be found in the most populous regions of Ethiopia, but infrastructure is basic. The government is led by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Despite several years of high economic growth, the country remains vulnerable to external economic shocks.
Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Ethiopia for additional information.REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Ethiopia, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you sign up, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. We can also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Department of State’s travel registration page.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.U.S. EmbassyENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: To avoid possible confusion or delays, travelers are strongly advised to obtain a valid Ethiopian visa at the nearest Ethiopian
Embassy prior to arrival. This is a necessary step if you plan to enter Ethiopia by any land port-of-entry. For example: travelers
wishing to enter Ethiopia from Kenya at the land border at Moyale must obtain an Ethiopian visa first. Ethiopian visas ARE
NOT available at the border crossing point at Moyale or at any other land border in Ethiopia. Ethiopian tourist visas (one
month or three month, single entry) may be available to U.S. citizens upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis
Ababa in some cases.NOTE: A Government of Ethiopia policy prevents travelers born in Eritrea, regardless of their current
nationality, from receiving tourist visas at the airport. The on-arrival visa process is available only at Bole International
Airport and is not available at any of the other airports in Ethiopia. The visa fee at Bole International Airport is payable
in U.S. dollars. Business visas of up to three months validity can also be obtained at Bole International Airport upon arrival,
but only if the traveler has a sponsoring organization in Ethiopia that has made prior arrangements for issuance through the
Main Immigration Office in Addis Ababa. In some cases, U.S. tourist and business travelers have not been permitted to receive
visas at Bole International Airport or have been significantly delayed.
Travelers whose entry visa expires before they depart Ethiopia must obtain a visa extension through the Main Immigration Office
in Addis Ababa and pay a monthly penalty fee of $20 USD per month. Such travelers may also be required to pay a court fine
of up to 4000 ETB (USD $300) before being permitted to depart Ethiopia. Court fees must be paid in Ethiopian Birr. Travelers
may be detained by immigration officials and/or required to appear in immigration court, and are required to pay the penalty
fee before they will be able to obtain an exit visa (USD $20, payable in dollars) permitting them to leave Ethiopia.
Business travelers or employees of non-governental organizations (NGOs) who intend to stay for 90 days or more must apply
for a residence card/work permit in order to continue working and living in Ethiopia. Travelers must apply for this permit
within the first 30 days of their stay in Ethiopia and must not work until this permit is approved.
THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:
Throughout Ethiopia: U.S. citizens are strongly advised to review their personal safety and security posture, to remain vigilant, and to be cautious when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks. While Ethiopia is generally stable, domestic insurgent groups, extremists from Somalia, and the heavy military presence along the border with Eritrea pose risks to safety and security.A number of al-Qaida operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around Africa. Since the July 11, 2010, terrorist bombings in Kampala, Uganda, for which the Somalia-based, U.S. government-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility, there have been increased threats against public areas across East Africa. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions, including Africa. In February 2012, leaders of al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced a merger of the two groups.
U.S. citizens should strongly consider the risk of attending or being near large public gatherings, or venues where westerners gather on a routine or predictable basis, and which have no visible security presence. Such gatherings or venues can provide vulnerable targets for extremist or terrorist groups. U.S. citizens should avoid, if possible, using public transportation, including mini-buses. You are advised to avoid unattended baggage or packages left in any location, including in taxis.
There are periodic attacks on civilians as well as security forces in the Somali region of Ethiopia. In 2011, Kenyan and Ethiopian forces initiated an offensive against al-Shabab in Somalia, together with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which has been in Mogadishu since 2007, resulting in an increase in the threat level in Ethiopia and neighboring countries.Ethiopia/Eritrea Border (Northern Ethiopia): Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace agreement in December 2000 that ended their border war. However, the border remains an issue of contention between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The border area is a militarized zone where the possibility of armed conflict between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces continues. U.S. government personnel are restricted from travel north of the Shire (Inda Silassie)-Axum-Adigrat road in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Personnel are further restricted from travel north of the road from Dessie through Semera to the Galafi border crossing with Djibouti, including the Danakil Depression and the Erta Ale volcano. In January 2012, a group of foreign tourists were attacked near the Erta Ale volcano in the Afar region near the Eritrean border, approximately 100 miles southeast of Adigrat in the Danakil Depression. The attack resulted in five deaths, three wounded, and four people kidnapped. The victims were European and Ethiopian citizens. The two Europeans who were kidnapped were subsequently released. On February 15, 2012, Ethiopia, which blamed Eritrea for the attack, retaliated by striking military camps in Eritrea where the attackers were allegedly trained. This episode illustrates the continuing volatility of the border area. Please see this restricted area indicated in red on the map below.
Somali Region (Eastern Ethiopia): Travel to Ethiopia's Somali region is restricted for U.S. government employees, although essential travel to Jijiga town and zone, as well as the Shimeli zone is permitted. Since the mid-1990's, members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) have conducted attacks on civilian targets near the city of Harar and in the Somali regional state, particularly in the Ogaden zones. Expatriates have been killed in these attacks. In 2010, the Government of Ethiopia initiated peace talks with the ONLF, which are ongoing. Despite these talks, there have been isolated incidents of violence. In May 2011, gunmen affiliated with the ONLF attacked a vehicle belonging to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), killing the vehicle’s driver, wounding one other, and kidnapping two other WFP employees. The kidnapped employees were later released. Please see this restricted area indicated in blue on the map below.
Gambella Region (Western Ethiopia): Sporadic inter-ethnic clashes are a concern throughout the Gambella region of western Ethiopia. While the security situation in the town of Gambella is generally calm, it remains unpredictable throughout the rest of the region. Intensified conflict between Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has increased refugee flows into Western Ethiopia. Travel to the border areas in the Beneshangul (Asosa) region is restricted to major towns. Please see this restricted area indicated in green on the map below.
U.S. government personnel are restricted from travel in the areas of Ethiopia indicated on the map above. Blue indicates the Somali region; Red indicates the Ethiopian/Eritrean border area; and Green indicates the Gambella region.
Important Note: The Government of Ethiopia rarely informs the Embassy of arrested or detained U.S. citizens, even those detained at the airport by immigration or customs authorities. In some instances, U.S. citizens have been detained for weeks or even months without Embassy notification. If you are arrested or detained in Ethiopia, you have the right to request that Ethiopian authorities alert the U.S. Embassy of your detention or arrest in accordance with the 1951 Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the United States and Ethiopia. If you are detained or arrested in Ethiopia you should use whatever means of communication available to alert the U.S. Embassy of your situation.CRIME: U.S. citizens are strongly advised to review their personal safety and security posture, to remain vigilant and to be cautious
when frequenting prominent public places and landmarks. Pick-pocketing, “snatch and run” thefts, including from occupied vehicles
and other petty crimes are common in Addis Ababa. These are generally crimes of opportunity rather than planned attacks. Beginning
in 2011, purse snatchings and harassment by gangs of youths in the Bole area of Addis Ababa have increased. These incidents
have occurred in both the daytime and nighttime. There were also beatings and stabbings of expats in the area. The number
of residential burglaries has also increased. Travelers should exercise caution in crowded areas, and especially the Mercato
in Addis Ababa, a large open-air market. You should limit the amount of cash you carry and leave valuables, such as passports,
jewelry, and airline tickets in a hotel safe or other secure place. You should keep wallets and other valuables where they
will be less susceptible to pick-pockets. If you have a cellular phone, carry it with you.
You should be cautious at all times when traveling on roads in Ethiopia. Highway robbery by armed bandits in some border areas
have been reported. Some of these incidents have been accompanied by violence. You are cautioned to limit road travel outside
major towns or cities to daylight hours and travel in convoys, if possible, in case of breakdowns. When driving, be wary of
other motorists warning you of a mechanical problem or loose tire. This may be a ruse used by thieves to get you to stop the
vehicle. Most of all be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times to ensure that you aren't being followed.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Ethiopia is 991.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and
legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things
that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S.
law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign
country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important
to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.
Ethiopian law strictly prohibits the photographing of military installations, police/military personnel, industrial facilities,
government buildings, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, airfields, etc.). Such sites are rarely marked clearly. Travel
guides, police, and Ethiopian officials can advise if a particular site may be photographed. Photographing prohibited sites
may result in the confiscation of film and camera and arrest.
Persons violating Ethiopian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Ethiopia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
If you are arrested in Ethiopia, you have the right to request that authorities alert the U.S. Embassy of your detention or arrest in accordance with the 1951 Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations between the United States and Ethiopia. If you are detained or arrested in Ethiopia you should use whatever means of communication available to alert the U.S. Embassy of your situation. Please be aware that the Government of Ethiopia does not recognize dual nationality, so U.S. citizens born in Ethiopia are accorded the same rights as any other U.S. citizens in the case of arrest or detention.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Dual nationality: Ethiopia does not recognize dual nationality. The government of Ethiopia considers Ethiopians who have naturalized
as U.S. citizens to be U.S. citizens only. Such individuals are not subject to Ethiopian military service. The Ethiopian government
has stated that Ethiopian-Americans in almost all cases are given the same opportunity to invest in Ethiopia as Ethiopians.
Ethiopian officials have stated that Eritrean-Americans are treated as U.S. citizens and are not subject to arrest simply
because of their ties to Eritrea although, as noted above, they are not permitted to receive tourist visas at the airport.
For additional information, see our dual nationality flyer.
Currency: Ethiopia is still primarily a cash economy. Dollars and some of the more popular travelers checks can be changed at the airport,
and at some banks. There are some ATM machines at the major hotels and commercial centers that accept the major international
credit and debit cards, although connectivity problems sometimes limit their availability. While credit cards are gaining
acceptance with some hotels, travel agencies, and merchants, it is best to check ahead and ensure you have sufficient cash
reserves.
Foreign currency should be exchanged in authorized banks, hotels, and other legally authorized outlets and proper receipts
should be obtained for the transactions. Exchange receipts are required to convert unused Ethiopian currency back to the original
foreign currency. Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment. Credit cards are not
accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, or other local facilities, although they are accepted at the Hilton, Sheraton,
and Raddison Hotels in Addis Ababa. Some hotels and car rental companies, particularly in Addis Ababa, may require foreigners
to pay in foreign currency or show a receipt for the source of foreign exchange if paying in local currency. Many hotels and
establishments, however, are not permitted to accept foreign currency or may be reluctant to do so.
All travelers are permitted to carry $3,000 in foreign currency in and out of Ethiopia with proper evidence of its source. Employees of embassies and foreign organizations or individuals entering into the country through embassies or foreign organizations on temporary employment (e.g., to attend seminars, to give training) may leave the country carrying more than $3,000 in cash only when they can produce evidence that they were paid directly from a bank. Residents may carry foreign currency upon departure, but only by producing evidence that the currency was purchased from a bank, or by producing a customs declaration not more than 45 days after it was issued. Travelers can only carry up to 200 Ethiopian Birr out of the country.
Ethiopian institutions have on occasion refused to accept 1996 series U.S. currency, although official policy is that such currency should be treated as legal tender.
Residence permit: Business travelers or employees of non-governental organizations (NGOs) who intend to stay for 90 days or more must apply for a residence card/work permit in order to continue working and living in Ethiopia. Travelers must apply for this permit within the first 30 days of their stay in Ethiopia and may not work until this permit is approved.Travelers should check with their sponsoring organziation to ensure they have the correct documentation in place, or risk penalties, including detention, fines, and deportation. The Govement of Ethiopia’s regulations also allow for similar penalties for those who assist others to reside illegally in Ethiopia.
For additional information on immigration, customs, and business registration , please contact:Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC
Visa RequirementsMinistry of Foreign Affairs
International NGO and Ethiopian civil service Directorate Tel : +251 11 515 5570
Charities and Societies Agency
NGO Licensing and Registration section Tel: +251 11 157 7627
Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority
Tel: +251 11 662 9887 or +251 11 662 9818
Consular notification: If you are arrested or detained in Ethiopia, it is unlikely that government authorities will notify the U.S. Embassy. Therefore, you should use should use whatever means of communication available to alert the U.S. Embassy of your situation.
Earthquakes: There is a risk of earthquakes in Ethiopia. Buildings may collapse due to strong tremors. General information about natural
disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Please see our Customs Information website.
Accessibility: While in Ethiopia, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The Ethiopian Building Proclamation (no. 624), gazetted in May 2010, contains an article that mandates building accessibility and accessible toilet facilities for persons with physical disabilities. In addition, landlords are required to give persons with disabilities preference for ground floor apartments, and this is respected in practice. In general, public buildings are not accessible to individuals with disabilities.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health facilities in Ethiopia are very limited and are generally inadequate outside the capital. Even the best hospitals
in Addis Ababa suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment, and shortages of supplies (particularly medicines).
There is a shortage of physicians. Emergency assistance is limited. Psychiatric services and medications are practically nonexistent.
Serious illnesses and injuries often require travelers to be medically evacuated from Ethiopia to a location where adequate
medical attention is available. Such “medevac” services are very expensive and are generally available only to travelers who
either have travel insurance that covers medevac services or who are able to pay for the service in advance (often in excess
of USD 40,000). (See Medical Insurance below.) Travelers must carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive
medicines, as well as a doctor's note describing the medication. If the quantity of drugs exceeds that which would be expected
for personal use, a permit from the Ministry of Health is required.
Malaria is prevalent in Ethiopia outside of the highland areas. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness
while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and explain
to the health care provider their travel history and which anti-malarials they have been taking. For additional information
on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention malaria website.
Ethiopia is a mountainous country and the high altitude may cause health problems, even for healthy travelers. Addis Ababa
is the third highest capital city in the world, at an altitude of 8,300 feet. Travelers may experience shortness of breath,
fatigue, nausea, headaches and an inability to sleep. Individuals with respiratory (including asthma) or heart conditions
should consult with a health care professional before traveling to Ethiopia. Travelers to Ethiopia should also avoid swimming
in any lakes, rivers, or still bodies of water (other than Lake Langano). Most bodies of water have been found to contain
parasites. Travelers should be aware that Ethiopia has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Ethiopia has had outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea, possible cholera, typhoid, and other bacterial diarrhea in the recent past, and the conditions for reoccurrences continue to exist in both urban and rural settings. Further information on prevention and treatment of cholera and other diarrheal diseases can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases webpage. To avoid such diseases, health professionals strongly recommend:
Travelers developing voluminous watery diarrhea should start oral rehydration quickly and seek medical care immediately for possible IV rehydration.
Ethiopian authorities are monitoring the possibility of avian influenza following the deaths of poultry and birds; preliminary results have been negative. For additional information on avian flu please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Avian Influenza website.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ethiopia.
Please verify this with the Embassy of Ethiopia before you travel. Please refer to the “Entry Restrictions” section of this
notice, or the Ethiopian Embassy website.
You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Tuberculosis is an increasingly serioushealth concern in Ethiopia. For further information, please consultthe CDC's information on TB.
Back to Top
MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ethiopia has the highest rate of traffic fatalities per vehicle in the world.
Roads in Ethiopia are poorly maintained, inadequately marked, and poorly lighted. Road travel after dark outside Addis Ababa
and other cities is dangerous and discouraged due to hazards posed by broken-down vehicles left in the road, pedestrians walking
in the road, stray animals, and the possibility of armed robbery. Road lighting in cities is inadequate at best and nonexistent
outside of cities. Excessive speed, unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and livestock in the roadway, and the
lack of adherence to basic safety standards for vehicles are daily hazards on Ethiopian roads. Many vehicles are unlicensed
and many drivers lack basic driver training or insurance. Emergency services are limited or nonexistent in many parts of the
country. Drivers should always carry spare tires, fuel, and tools on long trips as there is no roadside assistance. USG personnel
must limit road travel outside towns or cities to daylight hours and travel in convoys, if possible, in case of breakdowns.
Public transport is unregulated and unsafe; if travelers do use public transport, they should use taxis, not minibuses or
large buses and should ensure they are the only passengers in the vehicle.
While travel during daylight hours on both paved and unpaved roads is generally considered safe, land mines and other anti-personnel devices can be encountered on isolated dirt roads that were targeted during various conflicts, especially along the Eritrean border. Before undertaking any off-road travel, it is advisable to inquire of local authorities to ensure that the area has been cleared of mines.
It is unlawful to use a cell phone or other electronic communications device while driving in Ethiopia (even if it has a hands-free feature), and use of seat belts is required. Be sure to carry your valid Ethiopian driver’s license with you, as well as proof of comprehensive local insurance coverage, and your Ethiopian Identification card. While in a vehicle, keep your doors locked and the windows rolled up at all times. Keep bags, purses, and valuables out of sight — in the trunk, on the floor, or in the glove compartment. Do not carry unnecessary items in your bag; leave your credit cards, social security card, etc, at home. Do not open your doors or windows to give to beggars. Police can fine people for giving money to beggars.
If you are in a traffic accident, do not leave the scene unless you fear for your personal safety. Special units of the traffic police investigate traffic accidents.Normal investigative procedures require the police to conduct on on-scene investigation, after which all involved parties go to the Traffic Department for a vehicle inspection and to provide details about the accident for a final report. If possible, obtain the names and contact information of all persons involved in the accident and make a note of the extent of any injuries; make a note of any registration information (tag number) of other vehicle(s) involved; and obtain the other driver’s permit data, and give similar information or registration/permit data to the other driver and to the police upon request.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Ethiopia’s national tourist office.
Back to Top
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ethiopia’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
The Ethiopian government has closed air routes near the border with Eritrea and has referred to the airspace as a “no-fly
zone.” The FAA currently prohibits U.S. aircraft and U.S. pilots from flying in Ethiopian airspace north of 12 degrees north
latitude, the area along the country's northern border with Eritrea. For complete information on this flight prohibition,
travelers may visit the FAA NOTAM website.
Back to Top
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information for Ethiopia dated Augest 12, 2011, to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements and Threats to Safety and Security.