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Consular fee: 12 USD
Electronic visaVisamundi service: €39 incl. VAT
Consular fee: 23 USD
Electronic visaA small state in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti simplified access to its territory in 2018 by launching an e-Visa system open to almost all nationalities worldwide. Contrary to a common misconception, it is strictly impossible to obtain a visa on arrival: the application must be submitted online, before departure. Processing generally takes 72 hours, and the document is sent by email — no trip to an embassy is necessary. Two options are available: a short-stay visa (up to 14 days, transit included) and a long-stay visa (up to 90 days), suited to both tourists and business travellers.
01 · The essentials
Djibouti has been issuing electronic e-Visas online since 2018, open to almost all nationalities worldwide.
Two types of e-Visa are available: a short-stay visa (up to 14 days) and a long-stay visa (up to 90 days).
The e-Visa is only valid at Djibouti's Ambouli International Airport — entry by land or sea is excluded.
The e-Visa for Djibouti is a fully-fledged electronic visa — it is not a simple travel authorisation like the American ESTA or the Canadian eTA, but a genuine visa granted by the Djiboutian authorities. It is valid for a single entry and allows a stay whose maximum duration depends on the option chosen at the time of application.
Since its launch in 2018, this system has replaced the need to visit an embassy for the vast majority of travellers. The Republic of Djibouti has chosen to open this scheme to almost all passports in the world, with the exception of Singaporean nationals and holders of Chinese diplomatic or official passports, who benefit from a visa exemption.
The e-Visa is strictly personal and linked to a specific passport. Once issued, it cannot be modified: any change of dates or information requires submitting a new application. It is essential to ensure that the information entered during the application matches exactly what appears in your passport.
02 · Eligibility
Almost all nationalities in the world are eligible for the Djiboutian e-Visa. Only two categories of travellers are exempt — not because they cannot access it, but simply because they do not need a visa to enter Djibouti: Singaporean nationals and holders of Chinese official or diplomatic passports. All other travellers, regardless of nationality — including French, Belgian, Swiss, Canadian or Moroccan nationals — must hold a valid e-Visa before boarding their flight to Djibouti.
Minors are not exempt: every person wishing to enter Djibouti must hold their own e-Visa, including children. Parents or legal guardians may apply on behalf of minors, but a separate application is mandatory for each individual. Requirements may vary slightly depending on the minor's nationality.
Refugees and stateless persons may also apply for the e-Visa, provided they meet all the required conditions. Additional documents — such as a recommendation letter from a refugee protection body or proof of stateless status — may be requested during the process.
The 90-day visa covers tourist stays: holidays, exploring the country, visiting friends or relatives. The 14-day visa may also be used for short stays or transit.
Business travel (meetings, conferences, commercial negotiations, business events) is permitted with both e-Visa options. The e-Visa does not, however, authorise paid employment in Djibouti.
The 14-day visa is designed in particular for transit travellers wishing to leave the international zone of Ambouli Airport. Passengers in transit who do not leave the international zone do not need a visa.
Short-term studies or training courses (under three months) may be undertaken with a Djiboutian e-Visa. For longer studies or enrolment in a Djiboutian institution, a specific student visa is required.
03 · The process
The process for obtaining the Djiboutian e-Visa is entirely paperless. No embassy visit or postal submission of documents is required. The application is completed online, payment is made at the time of submission, and the visa is sent by email once the Djiboutian authorities have reached their decision.
It is strongly advised to apply at least one week before your planned departure date, even though the usual processing time is 72 hours. In a genuine emergency, an application can be processed within that timeframe, but planning ahead remains the best guarantee of peace of mind. Remember that once issued, the e-Visa cannot be modified: any error in the form means starting the process from scratch.
Gather your valid passport (at least 6 months' validity from your planned entry date into Djibouti), a recent colour passport photo on a white background, proof of travel (return flight ticket or itinerary), and proof of accommodation (hotel booking, invitation letter, accommodation certificate).
Enter your personal information, passport details, purpose of travel, desired duration (14 or 90 days) and your anticipated stay dates. Check each field carefully before submitting: information must match exactly what appears in your passport.
Attach the required documents in digital format: scan or photo of your passport, passport photo, proof of travel and proof of accommodation. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality or the situation in your country of origin.
Payment is made online at the time of submitting the application. Consular fees are 15 € for the 14-day visa and 20 € for the 90-day visa. Payment is processed securely.
Once the application has been submitted, the Djiboutian authorities process the file. The usual processing time is 72 hours. In some cases, additional checks may be required, which could slightly extend this timeframe.
As soon as a decision is reached, the e-Visa is sent to you by email. Print it and keep it safe: you will need to present it to immigration officers on arrival in Djibouti. The airline may also check the document at boarding.
04 · Required documents
The list of documents required for a Djiboutian e-Visa application is relatively short, but each document must meet the requirements set by the Djiboutian authorities. A missing or non-compliant document may cause a processing delay or rejection. Below are the documents that are always required, as well as those that may be requested additionally depending on individual circumstances.
05 · Special cases
Djibouti's geographical position as a strategic crossroads on the Red Sea generates a significant number of special cases: military personnel on assignment, families of soldiers stationed at the French base, transit travellers, asylum seekers or refugees. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Military personnel on assignment in Djibouti are subject to the same entry rules as civilians. The e-Visa is required regardless of occupation or status. Families of soldiers stationed at the base who wish to visit their relatives must also obtain an e-Visa before travelling.
Travellers in transit who do not leave the international zone of Ambouli Airport do not need a visa, regardless of the duration of the transit. However, leaving the international zone — even briefly — requires holding a valid e-Visa.
Refugees and stateless persons may submit an e-Visa application provided they meet all eligibility criteria. Additional documents may be required: a recommendation letter from a refugee protection body, proof of status, etc. Procedures may vary depending on nationality and country of residence.
If the e-Visa is refused, the reasons are indicated in the notification received by email. It is possible to appeal the decision or submit a new application providing additional information or documents that correct the errors or shortcomings of the initial file.
Regarding employment: a Djiboutian e-Visa does not permit paid employment in Djibouti. To work legally in the country, a specific work visa is essential, generally subject to presenting a job offer from a Djiboutian company and meeting other conditions defined by the competent authorities.
Regarding studies: short courses or professional training programmes of less than three months may be undertaken with a Djiboutian e-Visa. For longer studies or enrolment in a Djiboutian school or university, a specific student visa is required. Contact the competent Djiboutian consulate for your country of residence.
Regarding modification of the e-Visa: once issued, the e-Visa cannot be modified. If your stay dates change after the document has been issued, you will need to submit a new application. This is an important constraint to bear in mind if your travel schedule is likely to change.
The Djiboutian e-Visa is valid for a single entry into the territory — a new application is required for each trip.
06 · Before you leave
Obtaining the e-Visa is the first step, but a trip to Djibouti deserves more thorough preparation. Located in the Horn of Africa, between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, Djibouti has a unique geographical and climatic context that calls for a few precautions before departure. Here are the key points to check and plan for.
The Djiboutian e-Visa is an authentic electronic visa — not a simple travel authorisation — open to almost all nationalities since 2018. It is valid for a single entry, cannot be modified after issuance, and is only recognised at Ambouli International Airport. Two options exist: up to 14 days (15 €, transit included) and up to 90 days (20 €, tourism and business). Processing generally takes 72 hours. Prepare your application at least one week in advance, check every piece of information entered with great care, and keep your printed e-Visa to present at boarding and on arrival.
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