🇳🇬 → 🇪🇹

Ethiopia E-Visa for Nigerian Passport Holders (2026)

E-Visa (apply online)
🖥 E-Visa Available — Apply online before travel
1/5 Difficulty
3–5d Processing
NGN 71,000 Total (~$52)

Quick Facts

Requirement E-Visa
Visa Fee NGN 71,000 (~$52)
Processing Time 3–5 working days
Appointment Wait ~ weeks
Stay Duration Up to 30 days
E-Visa Available online

Ethiopia is straightforward for Nigerians provided the e-visa is arranged first — $52 online, and Addis Ababa (ADD) is a major African hub. Ethiopian Airlines flies direct Lagos (LOS)–Addis Ababa.

Key Warnings

  • Ethiopia's visa on arrival excludes Nigerian passports. Apply at evisa.gov.et before you fly, and carry the approved e-visa rather than the payment receipt — the airline checks at boarding.
  • Use evisa.gov.et and nothing else. Ethiopia publishes a list of lookalike sites it has no agreement with, and payments made through them are not recoverable.
  • Ethiopian Airlines direct Lagos-Addis Ababa flights are very popular and book out quickly during peak seasons (December, Easter, summer). Book flights early.
  • Addis Ababa sits at 2,355 metres altitude. Some travellers experience mild altitude sickness in the first 24 hours — stay hydrated and rest on arrival.

Insider Tips

  • Book the 90-day e-visa ($82) if combining Ethiopia with other African countries — more flexibility for the extra $30. Ideal for travellers also visiting Kenya, Tanzania, or Rwanda.
  • Ethiopian Airlines' home hub at ADD makes it one of the cheapest transit points in Africa. Check fares from Lagos through Addis Ababa to other African or Asian destinations — they are often the best value.
  • Lalibela (rock-hewn churches), the Simien Mountains, and the Danakil Depression are world-class sights. A 90-day visa gives enough time to see Ethiopia properly and recover from the altitude.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Apply for the e-visa at evisa.gov.et

    This is the only route for a Nigerian passport — Ethiopia's visa on arrival excludes Nigeria. Apply at least a week before the flight. Ethiopia publishes a list of lookalike sites it has no agreement with; use evisa.gov.et and nothing else.

  2. Upload a clean passport scan and photograph

    Full-page scan of the bio page, passport valid six months beyond arrival, and a photograph against a plain background. The application is screened before a human sees it, so a poor scan is refused on format alone.

  3. Pay and wait for the approval itself

    USD 52 for 30 days or USD 82 for 90, by card. Wait for the approved e-visa, not the payment receipt — Ethiopian Airlines refuses boarding to passengers carrying proof of payment only.

  4. Carry the yellow fever certificate

    Nigeria is endemic and Ethiopia requires a valid certificate from travellers arriving from endemic countries. It is checked on arrival.

  5. Fly to Addis Ababa and use the e-visa lane

    Ethiopian Airlines flies Lagos to Addis Ababa direct in about four and a half hours. Present the printed approval with the passport at the e-visa lane at Bole.

Required Documents

  • Valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity) Must be valid at least 6 months beyond your date of entry.
  • Confirmed return or onward ticket Checked at the border and often at check-in.

Latest Updates

2026-09

Ethiopia's visa on arrival excludes Nigerian passports

Ethiopia grants visas on arrival to African Union nationals with five named exclusions — Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria and Sudan. Ethiopia's own e-visa portal offers no visa-on-arrival route at all, and Ethiopian Airlines tells passengers that arriving with proof of payment rather than an approved e-visa means being refused entry. This page previously described paying at the counter at Bole.

2026-04

Free stopover entry for Ethiopian Airlines transit passengers

Ethiopia approved a stopover tourism policy in April 2026 letting Ethiopian Airlines passengers with layovers between 24 hours and 7 days leave Bole and enter the country without a visa fee. It applies to the airline's own connections, so confirm eligibility with Ethiopian Airlines when booking rather than assuming it covers your itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerians get an Ethiopian visa on arrival?
No. Ethiopia issues visas on arrival to African Union nationals but names five exclusions — Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria and Sudan. Apply for the e-visa at evisa.gov.et at least a week before the flight. Wait for the approval itself: Ethiopian Airlines refuses boarding to passengers who have only a payment receipt.
Can Nigerians get a 90-day Ethiopia visa?
Yes. The Ethiopia e-visa is available in both 30-day ($52 / ~₦84,240) and 90-day ($82 / ~₦132,840) options. If you are spending significant time in Ethiopia or combining it with other African countries, the 90-day visa offers much better value for just $30 more.
Are there direct flights from Lagos to Addis Ababa?
Yes. Ethiopian Airlines operates direct flights from Lagos (LOS) to Addis Ababa Bole International (ADD). Flight time is approximately 4.5 hours. Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's largest carrier and ADD is its main hub — connections from Addis Ababa to the rest of Africa, Asia, and Europe are excellent.
Is altitude sickness a concern for Nigerians visiting Addis Ababa?
Addis Ababa sits at approximately 2,355 metres above sea level — significantly higher than Lagos or any Nigerian city. Some travellers experience mild symptoms (headache, fatigue, shortness of breath) in the first 24–48 hours. Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol. Symptoms typically resolve within a day. Consult a doctor before travel if you have heart or respiratory conditions.

Data Sources & Verification

Last verified:

Explore More

Other East Africa and Horn of Africa destinations for Nigerians

🇰🇪 Kenya Visa Free 🇹🇿 Tanzania Visa Required 🇷🇼 Rwanda Visa on Arrival