Ethiopia’s highland rhythms, ancient churches, and coffee rituals invite you into a multilayered crossroads of language and tradition.
From the energetic pulse of Addis Ababa to the carved stone churches of Lalibela and the walled city of Harar, Ethiopia offers a striking mix of Orthodox heritage, vibrant markets, and regional diversity. Amharic anchors daily life, but dozens of languages echo across the Rift Valley, historic northern routes, and bustling city centers.
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Visa and residency reference data is available for Investor, Work (Employer-Sponsored), Work (Employer-Sponsored), and 1 more.
Visa for foreign nationals engaged in investment activities and potential investors travelling to Ethiopia for investment purposes. The source lists single- and multiple-entry options up to 12 months.
Work visa for foreign nationals invited by NGOs operating in Ethiopia for employment or short-term assignments.
Work visa for foreign nationals coming for employment or other short-term assignments with Ethiopian private business firms.
Electronic single-entry tourist visa for visitors travelling to Ethiopia for tourism or other non-business purposes. The official eVisa route lists 30-day and 90-day options.
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Ethiopia.
Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to Ethiopia due to civil unrest, violence, fuel shortages, armed conflict and crime. The security situation can deteriorate without warning. This advisory excludes Addis Ababa where you should exercise a high degree of caution. Additional regional advice and advisories are in effect. Our ability to provide consular assistance is limited in some regions.
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Border areas.
FCDO advises against all travel to within:
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: areas between 10-15km from the border with Eritrea. Tigray region. FCDO advises against all travel to Tigray region. Amhara region. FCDO advises against all travel to Amhara region. Afar region. FCDO advises against all travel to the parts of Afar region within 10km of the border with Eritrea. Gambela region. FCDO advises against all travel to Gambela region. Oromia region.
FCDO advises against all travel to:
Central, Southern, Sidama and South West regions (formerly SNNPR). FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the borders with South Sudan and Kenya including the shores of Lake Turkana.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Benishangul-Gumuz region.
Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to unrest, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, landmines, communications disruptions, and exit bans. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel To:
Unrest The security situation in Addis Ababa is stable. However, there is sporadic violent armed conflict and civil unrest in other areas of Ethiopia. The security situation may worsen without warning.
There are often delays in notifying the U.S. embassy of an arrest for dual U.S.-Ethiopia nationals. Exit bans that prevent departure Americans are subject to local laws. If you break immigration laws in Ethiopia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subjected to an exit ban.
Americans should not enter Ethiopia with an Ethiopian passport. Research Ethiopian entry and exit requirements and immigration law before you travel. Crime Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations.
Do not walk or drive at night. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ethiopia. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Kidnapping Terrorist groups are active in Ethiopia and have targeted foreigners for kidnapping. Risk of kidnapping for ransom is highest in the Gambella region, Benishangul Gumuz region, Somalia border region, Sudan border region, and South Sudan border region. Landmines Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist in the region near the border with Somalia. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize.
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