Fast Visa on Arrival – Any Passport, No Hassle!
Skip the embassy queues—get your Eritrea visa approved in record time!
Apply NowPlan Your Trip to Eritrea Stress-Free
Let us take the stress out of your visa process. We offer super-fast Visa on Arrival services for travelers of any nationality and passport type. Whether for tourism, business, or personal visits, we ensure a smooth immigration process so you can focus on your journey.
Trust EritreaVisit.com – the reliable partner for your hassle-free entry to Eritrea.
Start Your Application
Eritrea Visa: Requirements, Fees & Visa on Arrival (2026 Guide)
Almost every visitor needs a visa to enter Eritrea. You can get one in two ways: apply at an Eritrean embassy before you travel, or let Visit Eritrea, a licensed tour operator based in Asmara, arrange a pre-approved visa on arrival for you. This guide covers both routes, the documents you’ll need, and the permits required for travel outside Asmara.
WhatsApp us on +44 7447 452247 or email tours@eritreavisit.com to start your visa application today.
Do I need a visa for Eritrea?
Yes, unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country (such as Kenya or Uganda) or an Eritrean holding a national ID card. Everyone else must hold a visa, or a visa approval arranged by a local sponsor, before boarding a flight to Asmara International Airport (ASM). Airlines will check this at check-in.
Option 1: Visa on arrival through Visit Eritrea (fastest)
Eritrea does not issue walk-up visas at the airport. A visa on arrival is only issued when a registered local sponsor has applied to the Immigration Department in Asmara in advance. As a licensed tour operator, Visit Eritrea acts as your sponsor:
- Send us your details: a passport scan, a passport photo, your travel dates and your flight details.
- We apply in Asmara and receive your approval from Immigration.
- You receive your approval letter by email to show at airline check-in.
- On arrival in Asmara, present the letter and your passport, and the visa is stamped in.
This route works for any nationality, needs no embassy visit, and is ideal if there is no Eritrean embassy in your country. Visa processing can be combined with your flights, hotels, travel permits and guided tours in one booking.
Option 2: Apply at an Eritrean embassy
If you prefer to apply yourself, contact the Eritrean embassy or consulate that covers your country. Requirements vary by embassy, but typically include:
- Completed visa application form
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, with blank pages
- Recent passport-size photo
- Proof of residency (if you are not a citizen of the country you apply from)
- Flight itinerary and hotel booking or invitation letter
- Visa fee: for example, the Eritrean Embassy in the USA lists US$50 for a tourist visa plus service charges
Processing time: allow at least 15 business days, and more in busy periods.
Eritrea visa types
- Tourist visa: for holidays, sightseeing and visiting friends
- Business visa: for meetings, conferences and trade
- Transit visa: for short stopovers with an onward ticket
- Family visit, student, employment and official visas
How long can I stay?
A tourist visa normally allows a stay of up to 30 days. It can be extended at the Immigration Department in Asmara, and we can handle the extension for you.
Travel permits outside Asmara
Foreign visitors need a travel permit to visit places outside Asmara, such as Massawa, Keren, the Dahlak Archipelago, Qohaito and Adulis. Permits are issued in Asmara and are checked at road checkpoints. When you book a tour with Visit Eritrea, we arrange every permit for you before your trip begins.
Eritrea visa FAQ
Can I get a visa on arrival in Eritrea?
Yes, but only if your visa has been pre-approved through a local sponsor such as Visit Eritrea. You cannot simply arrive at the airport and buy a visa.
How long does an Eritrea visa take?
Embassy applications usually take at least 15 business days. A sponsored visa on arrival arranged through Visit Eritrea is usually faster. Contact us with your travel dates for a current timeframe.
Can US, UK and EU citizens visit Eritrea?
Yes. Citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most other countries can visit Eritrea with a visa, either from an embassy or as a sponsored visa on arrival.
Is there an Eritrea e-visa?
Eritrea does not currently run a public online e-visa system. Be careful with websites that claim to sell an “Eritrea e-visa”. Use an embassy or a licensed local sponsor.
What do I need to show at Asmara airport?
Your passport, your visa or visa approval letter, a return or onward ticket, and your accommodation details.
Do I need a permit to travel outside Asmara?
Yes. Foreign visitors need a travel permit for most destinations outside Asmara. Visit Eritrea arranges these as part of every tour.
Get your Eritrea visa with Visit Eritrea
Visas, flights, hotels, travel permits and guided tours, all from one local team in Asmara. Message us on WhatsApp or see our Eritrea tour packages.
