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Discover a destination where modernist architecture meets ancient Red Sea history. Eritrea offers a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, from the Art Deco streets of Asmara—a UNESCO World Heritage site—to the pristine, untouched waters of the Dahlak Archipelago. At Dahlak Tours, we don't just organize trips; we curate immersive journeys that treat every visitor as an honored guest in our beautiful nation.
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Eritrea visa guide
Eritrea Visa 2026: How to Get Yours (Cost, Documents & Timing)
At a glance
| Dahlak Tours (visa on arrival) | Embassy or consulate | |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $170 in total: $100 service fee paid online to Dahlak Tours, plus $70 government visa fee paid at Asmara airport | Set by each embassy. Washington, DC lists $50 for a tourist visa, plus a $13 photo fee and a $10 service fee (April 2025) |
| Processing time | About 6 business days | Minimum 15 business days at Washington, DC, plus postage |
| Visit an embassy? | No | Yes, or mail your original passport |
| No Eritrean embassy in your country? | We can still arrange it | You must use the nearest mission |
| Visa collected | On arrival in Asmara | Stamped in your passport before you travel |
| Travel permits | We arrange every permit when you travel with us, included in our tour prices | Arranged separately |
Do you need a visa for Eritrea?
Almost certainly yes. According to the Eritrean Embassy in Washington, DC, Eritreans holding an original national ID do not need a visa, while non-Eritreans and Eritreans without a national ID do. Entry rules can change, so confirm your situation with us before you book flights.
Eritrean nationals: holders of an original national ID do not need a visa to enter. If you are leaving Eritrea, you need an exit visa from the Immigration Office in Asmara. Ask us or Immigration before you book your return.
Two ways to get your Eritrea visa
Option 1: Dahlak Tours visa on arrival
We are a tour operator based in Asmara, and we handle the application for you. You do not visit an embassy. The total is $170: a $100 service fee paid online to us, plus the $70 government visa fee paid at Asmara airport. It takes about 6 business days.
Option 2: Apply at an embassy or consulate
This is the traditional route. You complete the application, pay the embassy’s fees, and send your original passport to be stamped. Expect at least 15 business days at the Washington, DC embassy, plus postal time both ways.
Express visa: no embassy nearby, or no time to visit one
Many travellers live in countries with no Eritrean embassy, or cannot leave their passport with an embassy for weeks. Our express visa service gets you approved without going to an embassy at all, in about 6 business days.
Why get your visa through Dahlak Tours
- No tour needed. We issue visas for guests who do not book a tour with us.
- About 6 business days. Embassies state a minimum of 15 business days, plus postage.
- No embassy visit. We handle the application in Asmara.
- 80% refund if your visa is refused. This rarely happens.
- A local team since 2004. Our office is on Fenkil St, Asmara.
How our visa on arrival works
- Contact us. Message us on WhatsApp or use the form below with your nationality and planned travel dates.
- Send your documents. A clear copy of your passport photo page, your contact address and phone number, your current job, the countries you visited in the 6 months before entering Eritrea, and your travel dates.
- Pay the $100 service fee online.
- We submit your application in Asmara. Processing takes about 6 business days.
- You receive your approval by email. Show it at airline check-in.
- Collect your visa in Asmara. At the airport, pay the non-refundable $70 government visa fee and receive your visa stamp.
Approval is decided by the Eritrean authorities. If a visa is refused, which rarely happens, Dahlak Tours refunds 80% of what you paid us. We recommend booking flights only after you have your approval in writing.
Processing timeline
| Stage | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Apply | At least 3 weeks before you fly (our recommendation) | You send your documents and pay the $100 service fee online. |
| Processing | About 6 business days | We submit your application and follow up with Eritrean immigration in Asmara. We contact you if anything more is needed. |
| Approval | When immigration approves | You receive your approval by email. Book your flights only now. |
| Travel day | Day of your flight | Show your approval at airline check-in, on your phone and printed. |
| Arrival in Asmara | At the airport | You pay the non-refundable $70 government fee in cash and receive your visa stamp. |
For comparison, the embassy route takes at least 15 business days at the Washington, DC embassy plus postage, up to four weeks at the Melbourne consulate, and about ten working days after receipt at the Geneva embassy.
At Asmara airport: what to expect
Asmara International Airport is a short drive, about 5 km, from the city centre. This is what happens when you arrive with a visa arranged by Dahlak Tours:
- Have your documents ready: your passport and your approval email, on your phone and printed.
- Go to the immigration desk and show your approval.
- Pay the $70 government fee in cash. Cards are not accepted. The fee is non-refundable.
- Receive your visa stamp. Check that your name, passport number and dates are correct before you leave the desk.
- Your stay. A tourist visa typically allows one month from arrival and can be extended at the Immigration Office in Asmara.
Allow time at immigration. Processing at the desk can take a while, sometimes up to an hour when several flights land together. Keep that in mind when you book onward plans in Asmara.
Meeting you at the airport: If you also booked a tour with us, a Dahlak Tours representative waits for you in arrivals with a sign. If you booked only the visa, we do not provide an airport meet-up.
Applying through an embassy
The Eritrean Embassy in Washington, DC lists these steps, and other missions are similar:
- Select your visa type and read its requirements.
- Complete the visa application form (form B62.3) and pay the fee online.
- Mail your original passport to the embassy.
- Travel once you receive your visa.
Many missions use the Consular Affairs Processing System (CAPS) for online applications. Fees, forms and processing times differ by embassy, so always check with the mission that serves your country.
Example: Washington, DC embassy fees
These figures come from the embassy’s own page, dated April 2025. Embassies change fees and processing times without notice, so confirm with the mission that serves your country before you pay.
Each visa also carries a $13 photo printing fee and a $10 service fee.
| Visa type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist | $50 |
| Family visit | $70 |
| Student | $50 |
| Transit | $30 |
| Other | $70 |
| Business, single entry | $100 |
| Business, 3 months | $150 |
| Business, 6 months | $200 |
| Business, 1 year | $300 |
| Official | No fee |
All fees listed there are non-refundable.
Official embassy and consulate pages
Every Eritrean embassy and consulate sets its own fees, forms and processing times. Here is what the official sites say today. Always confirm with the mission that serves your country before you pay or post your passport.
| Mission | Official page | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC (USA) | us.embassyeritrea.org/visa | Online application through CAPS, then mail your original passport. Tourist visa $50 plus $13 photo and $10 service fee. Minimum 15 business days. Valid three months from issue. |
| Melbourne (Australia) | ericon.org.au/services/visa | Consulate that sends tourist and family-visit applications to the Immigration Office in Asmara for approval, with an interview. Tourist visa AUD 120 for adults and AUD 80 under 18, plus AUD 20 for urgent processing. Up to four weeks. Valid 90 days from issue. Page updated September 2026. |
| New Delhi (India) | eritreaembindia.com/visa | Serves India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Brunei, Maldives and Thailand. Fee is given after approval. Entry visa valid one month from entry. |
| Geneva (Switzerland) | home.eritreaembassy.ch/our-services/visa-and-travel-services | Two copies of the signed application form. Fees by post or bank transfer. Issuance takes ten working days after receipt. |
| London (United Kingdom) | eritreanembassyuk.org.uk | Embassy website for UK applicants. Check it for current visa forms, fees and processing times. |
- The Melbourne consulate asks applicants not to buy flights or send their passport until their application is approved in Asmara.
- Washington, DC, Melbourne and New Delhi all describe a tourist stay of about one month from arrival, which can be extended in Asmara.
- Embassy tourist fees differ widely, from $50 plus extras in Washington, DC to AUD 120 in Melbourne.
Government travel advice: Read the UK government advice for Eritrea and the US State Department advisory before you book. Both are updated by their governments, not by us.
Eritrea visa types in plain words
Tourist
For holidays, sightseeing and cultural trips.
Family visit
For visiting relatives. It needs a reference in Eritrea who can follow up at the Immigration Office in Asmara.
Business and employment
For meetings, projects or work, with a letter from the inviting or sponsoring organisation.
Student, transit and official
For study, airport connections, and diplomatic or government travel.
We handle all visa types and can help with any Eritrean embassy.
Documents you will need
Requirements depend on the route you choose. Use the checklist for your route.
Dahlak Tours visa service
- A clear copy of your passport photo page
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates
- Your contact address and phone number
- Your current job
- The countries you visited in the 6 months before entering Eritrea
- Your travel dates
- The $100 service fee, paid online
- The $70 government fee, paid in cash at Asmara airport
Embassy or consulate route (official examples)
- Your original passport, valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates (Washington, DC)
- The application form from your embassy. Forms differ by mission, and Geneva asks for two signed copies.
- A passport photo, 35 x 45 mm (Washington, DC)
- Proof of sufficient funds (Washington, DC)
- Proof of residency or a permanent resident card, if you are not a citizen of the country where you apply (Washington, DC)
- Birth certificates for applicants aged 17 or under, signed by a parent or guardian (Washington, DC)
- For a family visit, a reference in Eritrea who can follow up at the Immigration Office in Asmara
- Payment of the fee as your mission requires: online at Washington, DC, or by post or bank transfer at Geneva
- An interview, if your mission asks for one (Melbourne)
How long is an Eritrea visa valid?
Per the Washington, DC embassy, all visas are valid for three months from the date of issue, which means you must enter Eritrea within three months of issue. Once you arrive, a tourist visa typically allows a stay of one month, and it can be extended at the Immigration Office in Asmara. The same applies to visas arranged by Dahlak Tours.
Travel permits: the second thing you need
A visa gets you into Eritrea. A travel permit lets you go places once you are there. These are the rules we work with:
- Any place outside Asmara needs a travel permit. Some sites inside Asmara need one too, for example the tank graveyard.
- We need one full day to issue your permits. We do it while you tour Asmara after you arrive.
- When you book a tour with Dahlak Tours, we arrange every permit you need, and the permits are included in the tour price.
- Permits are for guests who book a tour with us. You can get your visa from us without booking a tour, but we arrange permits only for tour guests.
Health and vaccination
The Washington, DC embassy says travellers arriving from these countries must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Check the current list with your doctor or the embassy before you travel.
Tips for a smooth visa application
- Start early. We recommend applying at least 3 weeks before you fly. Embassies need longer.
- Check your passport. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
- Do not book flights until you are approved in writing. The Melbourne consulate gives the same advice.
- Check your flights. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended its Asmara flights since September 2024, so confirm with your airline which carrier and route you can use before you pay for tickets.
- Check every detail before you submit: name spelling, passport number and travel dates.
- Save your approval on your phone and print a copy for check-in.
- Bring the $70 government fee in cash. Cards are not accepted at Asmara airport.
- Check your stamp when you receive it: name, passport number and dates.
- Posting your passport to an embassy? Use a tracked courier in both directions.
- Yellow fever certificate: bring one if you arrive from a country on the embassy’s list above.
- Permits: if you want to travel outside Asmara, book your tour with us so we can arrange your permits.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Eritrea?
Most visitors do. Eritreans with an original national ID are the main exception.
How much does an Eritrea visa cost?
With Dahlak Tours it is $170 in total: a $100 service fee paid online, plus the $70 government visa fee paid at Asmara airport. Embassy fees are set by each embassy. For example, Washington, DC lists $50 for a tourist visa, plus $13 and $10 in extra fees.
How long does it take?
About 6 business days with Dahlak Tours. The Washington, DC embassy states a minimum of 15 business days, plus postage.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Eritrea?
Yes, through Dahlak Tours. We arrange the approval for you before you travel, and you collect your visa on arrival in Asmara.
What is an express visa?
It is our service for travellers who want a visa without going to an embassy, including people with no Eritrean embassy in their country. It is a faster alternative to the embassy route.
Can I apply if there is no Eritrean embassy in my country?
Yes. Contact us and we will arrange it without an embassy visit.
How long can I stay?
A tourist visa typically allows one month from arrival and can be extended at the Immigration Office in Asmara.
Do I need a travel permit?
Any place outside Asmara does. When you travel with us, we arrange every permit and it is included in the tour price.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
Only if you arrive from one of the countries on the Washington, DC embassy’s list.
Can I get a family visit visa?
Yes. A family visit visa needs a reference in Eritrea who can follow up at the Immigration Office in Asmara. We can help.
Do I need to book a tour with you to get a visa?
No. We issue visas for guests who do not book a tour with us.
Can I get travel permits without booking a tour with you?
No. We arrange permits only for guests who book a tour with us, and they are included in the tour price.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Approval is decided by the Eritrean authorities. If a visa is refused, which rarely happens, we refund 80% of what you paid us.
Why is your total higher than an embassy fee?
Embassy fees look lower on paper. Washington, DC lists $50 for a tourist visa plus $13 and $10 in extra fees. But you also pay postage, wait at least 15 business days, and send your original passport away. Our $170 includes the $70 government fee and our service, takes about 6 business days, and needs no embassy visit.
Explore more of Eritrea with Dahlak Tours
- Dahlak Islands: what it’s actually like to go
- 4-day Dahlak Islands weekend tour
- 7-day Dahlak Islands tour with sea excursion
- Asmara architecture and archaeology tour
- 5-day Eritrea tour: Asmara, Massawa and Green Island
- A weekend in Keren, Eritrea
- Why you need a local ground handler in Eritrea
- Eritrea travel FAQs
Start your Eritrea visa application
Tell us your nationality and travel dates, and we will confirm your options. Message us on WhatsApp or call +291 745 6964, contact our Kenya office on +254 728 053 447, or visit our office on Fenkil St, Asmara.
Sources
- Eritrean Embassy, Washington, DC: Visa page (us.embassyeritrea.org/visa), page dated 19 April 2025, accessed 22 October 2026.
- Consulate of the State of Eritrea, Melbourne: Visa page (ericon.org.au/services/visa), modified 29 September 2026, accessed 22 October 2026.
- Embassy of the State of Eritrea, New Delhi: Visa information (eritreaembindia.com/visa), accessed 22 October 2026.
- Embassy and Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea, Geneva: Visa and Travel Services (home.eritreaembassy.ch), accessed 22 October 2026.
Fees and rules change. This page is reviewed regularly and was last updated on 23 October 2026.
