Once the online visa application is approved, applicants will receive an email authorizing them to travel to Ethiopia and they will get their passport stamped with the visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA (Xinhua/Ethiopian Airlines)–Ethiopian immigration authorities and Ethiopian Airlines have launched an online visa (e-visa) service for international visitors, the airlines announced on Friday (June 1).
The newly introduced online visa application and issuance, effective from June 1, helps international visitors from across the globe with their online visa application process on a single webpage, where applicants apply, pay and secure their entry visa online, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement.
Once the online application is approved, applicants will receive an email authorizing them to travel to Ethiopia and they will get their passport stamped with the visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa.
“Ethiopia, the oldest independent civilization in Africa and one of the oldest in the world, is endowed with historical places, natural beauty, colourful and diverse cultural activities and various endemic wild animals which are of great interest to international tourists. However; we have not made best use of these natural resources to attract large number of tourists. To this effect, this project is part of a new national initiative to transform the tourism sector in the country.
The full commencement of the Online Visa application and issuance system will promote tourism, trade and investment to the country. It will save time, energy and cost for travelers to Ethiopia in addition to the simplicity and convenience that it facilitates. With direct flights to/from more than 110 destinations from all corners of the world operated by the most modern airplanes, we will continue to make travel to Ethiopia, dependable, easy, convenient and affordable. I will take this opportunity to thank our IT team and our colleagues at the Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs for the commendable collaboration and the job well done.” Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO.
Ethiopia generated 3.5 billion U.S. dollars from tourism in 2017, with Chinese tourists contributing 170 million U.S. dollars during the period.
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Chinese tourists to Ethiopia were the third largest tourist group in Ethiopia in 2017, only surpassed in numbers by U.S. and British tourists.
Source: Xinhua & Ethiopian Airlines