Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- Embassy of Ethiopia is at 17 Princes Gate, London, SW7 1PZ
- Consular phone line is +44 (0)20 7589 7212
- Tourist, business, conference and transit visas are issued through the e-Visa portal
- Most applications are now processed at evisa.gov.et
- e-Visa decisions are usually issued within three working days
Address and Contact Details
The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in London is at 17 Princes Gate, London, SW7 1PZ. The consular section handles passport, civil registration and notarial work for Ethiopian citizens in the UK.
The main consular phone line is +44 (0)20 7589 7212. The official site is ethioembassy.org.uk, which lists current opening hours and the latest consular notices. Visa applications themselves are mainly submitted online through evisa.gov.et, the Ethiopian Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) portal.
Public hours are typically restricted to weekday mornings, with collections handled in a separate window. Hours adjust around Ethiopian Orthodox calendar events including Timkat in January and the Ethiopian New Year in September.
Visa Services Available
Ethiopia operates an e-Visa system for most foreign visitors, with the embassy in London serving primarily as a consular and document services post. Visa types currently available include:
- e-Visa: the primary online travel authorisation for tourists, business visitors and short term visits.
- Tourist Visa: available through the e-Visa portal for single or multiple entry tourism.
- Business Visa: for meetings, contract work and short term commercial activity.
- Conference Visa: for delegates attending recognised conferences and international events in Addis Ababa and other host cities.
- Transit Visa: for travellers passing through Bole International Airport en route to a third country.
- Work, Investment and Family Visas: issued in coordination with INVEA for longer term stays in Ethiopia.
British citizens use the e-Visa system for almost all tourist and business visits. The embassy in London handles cases where consular involvement is needed beyond the online process.
How to Book an Appointment
e-Visa applications are submitted entirely online at evisa.gov.et. There is no in-person appointment for standard tourist or business visits. The portal requests passport, travel and accommodation details, with decisions usually delivered by email.
For consular services that need an in-person visit, including passport applications, document attestation and Ethiopian-issued certificates, the embassy's consular section accepts appointments by email and through its booking pages on ethioembassy.org.uk.
Print the e-Visa approval before travel and carry it with the passport. Bole International Airport immigration officers may ask for the printed authorisation on arrival.
Documents and Requirements
For most e-Visa applications, the required information includes:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure from Ethiopia with two blank pages.
- A clear scan of the passport bio page uploaded to the e-Visa portal.
- A recent colour photograph against a white background, taken within six months.
- Confirmed return or onward flight booking.
- Accommodation details, whether hotel booking or host invitation letter.
- For business and conference visas, an invitation letter from the Ethiopian host or event organiser.
- For conference attendees, the event registration confirmation and supporting letter from the organising body.
- For longer stay or special categories, additional documents requested through the embassy's consular section.
Documents not in Amharic or English should be translated and certified. The e-Visa portal accepts standard file formats and rejects unclear images.
Processing Times and Fees
e-Visa decisions are usually issued within three working days, though the system can run faster during quieter periods. Applicants should apply at least a week before travel to allow for any clarification by INVEA.
Fees are paid online in US dollars when the e-Visa application is submitted. Tourist, business, conference and transit visas each carry separate tariffs. Multiple entry options carry higher fees than single entry. Consular service fees at the London embassy are published separately.
Verify the current fees at evisa.gov.et before applying, as tariffs are reviewed periodically by Ethiopian authorities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens still get an Ethiopian visa on arrival?
Visa on arrival has been restricted in recent years for British citizens, and most visitors now apply for an e-Visa before travel. Confirm current arrival rules on evisa.gov.et and through GOV.UK travel advice before flying.
How long is the standard Ethiopian e-Visa valid?
The standard tourist e-Visa is typically valid for stays up to 30 or 90 days depending on the option selected. Business and conference categories also vary in duration. The selected length is confirmed on the e-Visa approval document.
Can I get an e-Visa if I am only transiting through Addis Ababa?
Travellers transiting through Bole International Airport without leaving airside generally do not need an e-Visa. Those who plan to exit the airport during a long layover should apply for an appropriate visa category before travel.
What is the multi-destination tourist visa for the Horn of Africa?
Ethiopia has explored regional tourism initiatives, including joint visa arrangements with neighbouring countries. The applicability depends on current bilateral agreements, and the e-Visa portal is the most reliable place to check whether such options are available at the time of application.
Does the embassy in London handle Ethiopian passport renewals?
Yes. The consular section processes Ethiopian passport applications and renewals for citizens resident in the UK and Ireland, working with the Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency. Appointments are coordinated through the embassy's consular pages.
How We Verified This
Details in this article were cross-checked against the Ethiopian Embassy London site, the Ethiopian e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.et, the Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency (INVEA) and GOV.UK travel advice for Ethiopia.
Sources
- Embassy of Ethiopia London: ethioembassy.org.uk
- Ethiopia e-Visa portal: evisa.gov.et
- GOV.UK Ethiopia travel advice: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ethiopia
