Canada
Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to Eritrea due to ongoing tensions and conflict with neighbouring countries.
Eritrea
Discover a unique blend of Italian, Arab, and local influences along the Red Sea coast and highland plateau.
Overview
Eritrea, located in East Africa, presents a distinctive cultural mix with Italian and Arab influences evident in its architecture and traditions. Asmara and Massawa are key urban centers, set against a backdrop of Red Sea coastlines and highland plateaus.
At a glance
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- English(Official)
- Tigrinya(Official)
- Italian(Widespread)
Population3,497,000
CurrencyEritrean Nakfa (ERN)
1 ERN = 0.0667 USD
1 USD = 15.0000 ERN
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
SafetyGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionLowSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Work (Employer-Sponsored), Family Residence, Official / Diplomatic Visa, and 1 more.
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Business / Employment Visa
Business or employment route initiated through the inviting or employing company in Eritrea directly with the Immigration Office in Asmara. The consulate lists one-month and three-month business options and an employment option.
- 3 months
- Employer-sponsored only
Family Residence
- Family Visit Visa
Consular family-visit route for applicants of Eritrean or non-Eritrean origin visiting family or friends in Eritrea. Applications are submitted to the Immigration Office in Asmara for processing and approval.
- 1 month
- No work rights
Official / Diplomatic Visa
- Official Visa
Official visa route made directly to the Eritrean Immigration Office in Asmara by invitation through the concerned ministry, organization, or company in Eritrea.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Tourist Visa
Consular tourist visa route submitted to the Immigration Office in Asmara for approval. The consulate states that the visa is valid for 90 days from issue and permits a one-month stay from arrival.
- 1 month
- No work rights
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- English(Official)
- Tigrinya(Official)
- Italian(Widespread)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Eritrea.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders. FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders. Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia are high. If a crisis develops in Eritrea, the situation could change quickly, including your ability to travel within Eritrea or leave the country. Practical support from the British government such as face-to-face consular support or evacuation may be severely limited in a crisis. Read our general guidance on consular support in a crisis. Be prepared to re-arrange your own departure from Eritrea if a crisis develops.
If it is not safe or possible to leave, you should:
- stay indoors whenever possible, and have a stock of essential supplies such as food, drinking water and medicine
- obey any local restrictions such as curfews
- monitor the media for developments that would allow you to leave safely
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Eritrea due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions. Country Summary: The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea, as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside of Asmara. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Eritrea, including dual U.S.-Eritrean nationals, have been arrested and detained without charge or on false charges. The Department has determined that the risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Eritrean government exists. Eritrean law enforcement officials routinely block access by U.S. government officials to U.S. citizens in detention. The U.S. Embassy therefore may not receive notification of your arrest or be allowed access to you if you are detained or arrested. There are landmines in many remote areas in Eritrea, particularly in Nakfa, AdiKeih, Arezza, the 25 mile-wide region (40 km) between the Setit and Mereb Rivers, and in areas north and west of Keren, areas near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, Dekemhare, and south of Tessenae.
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