EthiopiaUnited Arab Emirates: Visa required

EthiopiaUnited Arab Emirates

Do Ethiopia passport holders need a visa for United Arab Emirates?

Visa required

Yes. Ethiopia passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Arab Emirates.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: u.ae (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance2,387 km, straight line (~3h 18m nonstop)

Visa-free access to United Arab Emirates138 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? United Arab Emirates passport holders visiting Ethiopia: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near United Arab Emirates

Ethiopia passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Ethiopia passport holders

See all Ethiopia destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Ethiopia passport holders need a visa for United Arab Emirates?

Yes. Ethiopia passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United Arab Emirates.

How far is United Arab Emirates from Ethiopia?

About 2,387 km in a straight line, roughly ~3h 18m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates dirham (AED).

What is the emergency number in United Arab Emirates?

112 / 997 / 998 / 999.

What time zone is United Arab Emirates in?

Dubai (UTC+4).

What is the nearest airport to Abu Dhabi?

Zayed International Airport (AUH), about 28 km away.

How many countries can enter United Arab Emirates without a visa?

138 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter United Arab Emirates visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Ethiopia passport holders visit without a visa instead of United Arab Emirates?

Iran, Syria.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Ethiopia

Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the southeast, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. Ethiopia covers a land area of 1,104,300 km2 (426,400 sq mi). As of 2026, it has around 138 million inhabitants, making it the 10th-most populous country in the world and 2nd most populous country in Africa. The national capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, lies several kilometres west of the East African Rift that splits the country into the African and Somali tectonic plates.

CapitalAddis Ababa

RegionEastern Africa

Population135.5M

Area1,104,300 km²

CurrencyEthiopian birr (1 USD ≈ 161.53 ETB)

LanguagesAmharic

Calling code+251

Drives on theright

TimezoneAddis Ababa (UTC+3)

Nearest airportAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), 8 km

Emergency number907 / 911 / 939 / 991

UNESCO sites14

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$933 (2025)

Tourist arrivals518K (2020)

Climate in Addis Ababa

Warmest March, coolest December, driest December, sunniest October.

Monthly climate normals for Addis Ababa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	21.6°C	8.9°C	10mm	335h
February	22.4°C	10.2°C	11mm	311h
March	23.2°C	11.6°C	53mm	325h
April	22.3°C	11.6°C	147mm	304h
May	21.7°C	10.4°C	134mm	338h
June	19.8°C	10.1°C	245mm	302h
July	18.2°C	10.6°C	331mm	229h
August	18.4°C	10.8°C	265mm	253h
September	18.7°C	9.7°C	216mm	306h
October	19.9°C	8.4°C	11mm	348h
November	21.1°C	7.7°C	4mm	345h
December	20.8°C	7.3°C	1mm	344h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Travelers to Ethiopia experience a country divided into two: in the north and east the focus is on cultural heritage, while in the south there are several national parks and lakes in the area of the East African Rift with their flora and fauna as well as the habitat of several indigenous peoples.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Axum
Bale Mountains National Park
Fasil Ghebbi
Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town
Konso Cultural Landscape
Lalibela Cross
Lower Valley of the Awash
Melka Kunture
Monolithic churches in Lalibela
Omo River

Upcoming public holidays

January 7, 2027ልደተ-ለእግዚእነ/ ገና

January 19, 2027ნათლისღება

March 2, 2027የዓድዋ ድል በዓል

Full source list on About.

About United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known simply as the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as its national capital. The UAE borders Oman to the east and northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the south and southwest. It shares maritime borders with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran in the Persian Gulf, and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman. In 2024, the UAE had an estimated population of over 11 million. Dubai is the country's largest city. Islam is the state religion. Arabic is the official language while English remains the most spoken language and the language of business.

CapitalAbu Dhabi

RegionWestern Asia

Population11.5M

Area83,600 km²

CurrencyUnited Arab Emirates dirham (1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED)

LanguagesArabic

Calling code+971

Drives on theright

TimezoneDubai (UTC+4)

Nearest airportZayed International Airport (AUH), 28 km

Emergency number112 / 997 / 998 / 999

UNESCO sites3

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$50,274 (2024)

Tourist arrivals8.1M (2020)

Climate in Abu Dhabi

Warmest July, coolest January, driest May, sunniest May. Best time to visit: November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Abu Dhabi, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	22.8°C	16.8°C	69mm	297h
February	24.2°C	17.5°C	3mm	298h
March	27.7°C	19.8°C	7mm	317h
April	34°C	24.4°C	3mm	303h
May	36.6°C	27.5°C	0mm	374h
June	37.8°C	30.4°C	0mm	370h
July	40.9°C	32.3°C	0mm	351h
August	38.9°C	32.6°C	0mm	336h
September	39.2°C	28.9°C	0mm	337h
October	34.1°C	26.4°C	0mm	337h
November	30°C	23.1°C	0mm	300h
December	25.4°C	19.7°C	0mm	308h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The United Arab Emirates or simply the Emirates is a country rich in history and culture at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Boasting attractions ranging from the glittering and cosmopolitan cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to the vast and unforgiving desert landscapes of the Empty Quarter, it makes an easy starting point for travels in the Middle East.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)
Jabal Al Fayah
Wadi Wurayah

Full source list on About.