Djibouti eVisa: Complete Guide to Applying Online

The Djibouti eVisa is an electronic travel authorization issued by the government, available online at evisa.gouv.dj.

The Djibouti eVisa system allows eligible nationals to apply for a permit online before traveling to the country.

Through the official eVisa portal, applicants submit the required information and supporting documents and pay the fee electronically.

Once the form is approved, the Djibouti Electronic Visa is issued digitally and sent to the applicant by email.

Travelers are required to print the approved eVisa and present it together with their passport upon arrival in Djibouti.
There are different types of eVisas available, including a transit visa for stays of 1 to 14 days and a short-stay visa for visits lasting 15 to 90 days

What Is the Djibouti eVisa?

The Djibouti eVisa is an official electronic visa issued by the Republic of Djibouti.

The government introduced the eVisa system on February 18, 2018, replacing the previous visa on arrival system.

The eVisa is issued exclusively for tourism and business purposes and is available to most nationalities online.

Who Is Eligible for the Djibouti eVisa?

Most nationalities can apply for the Djibouti eVisa online. Citizens of a small number of countries are visa-free.

Some visitors must apply at a Djibouti Embassy in person.

Special Categories

• Dual citizens: Use the passport of the nationality that grants eVisa eligibility. If both passports are eligible, use the one with longer validity.
• Diplomatic passport holders: Contact the Djibouti Embassy directly — diplomatic passports may have different entry requirements.
• Children/minors: Children require their own eVisa. Additional documents (birth certificate, parental consent) may be necessary.

Djibouti eVisa Requirements

To apply for a Djibouti eVisa you need several documents ready that is needed for verification.

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months from your planned entry date into Djibouti; must have at least 1 blank page.
• Face photo — recent, in digital format (see specifications below).
• Flight reservation — a reservation confirmation is sufficient; a full paid ticket is not required.
• Accommodation proof — hotel booking confirmation OR host’s address and contact details.
• Invitation letter — from organization or host (if needed).

⚠️ Note: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are traveling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country.

Photo Specifications

Requirements for Children and Minors

• Children under 18 require their own eVisa application.
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate is necessary.
• If traveling without both parents, it’s crucial to submit a notarized parental consent letter.
• The accompanying parent or guardian must also hold a valid Djibouti eVisa.

How to Apply for the Djibouti eVisa – Step by Step

Apply at evisa.gouv.dj in a few simple steps. The process takes approximately 2 days, but it can be longer.

To get the eVisa to Djibouti, travelers need to:

1. Go to evisa.gouv.dj — the only official Djibouti government eVisa portal.
2. Create an account — register with your email address and create a secure password.
3. Fill in the application form — enter personal details, passport information, travel dates, and accommodation address.
4. Upload required documents — passport scan, photo, flight reservation, hotel booking, etc.
5. Pay the fee — cover by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard accepted); payment is processed securely.
6. Submit the application — you receive a confirmation email with your reference number.
7. Wait for approval — processing takes several business days; the approved eVisa arrives by email as a PDF.

After the process, it’s essential to print out the Djibouti eVisa and show it upon arrival to immigration officials.

How to Apply on Mobile

The evisa.gouv.dj portal is mobile-compatible. Open the portal in your mobile browser, create an account, and follow the same steps.

Upload documents directly from your phone’s camera or photo library. Make sure your internet connection is stable before submitting payment.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Uploading a photo that does not meet specifications (wrong background, glasses, low resolution).
• Entering passport expiry date incorrectly.
• Submitting a flight reservation for the wrong dates.
• Not uploading a yellow fever certificate when required.
• Applying too close to your travel date (apply at least 10 business days before departure).

Djibouti eVisa Cost & Fees

The eVisa fee depends on the permit type: a transit visa (valid for 1–14 days) costs $12, while a short-stay visa (issued for 15–90 days) costs $23.

Fees are set by the Djibouti government and may change. Verify current fees at evisa.gouv.dj before applying.

Payment Methods

• Visa credit/debit card
• Mastercard credit/debit card
• American Express credit/debit card

Payments are processed securely via the official portal. PayPal and other methods are not accepted on the official portal.

What to Do If Payment Fails

1. Check that your card has international online payments enabled.
2. Contact your bank to authorize the transaction.
3. Try a different card.
4. Clear your browser cache and retry.
5. If the problem persists, contact evisa.gouv.dj support with your application reference number.

Refund Policy

The Djibouti government does not issue refunds for eVisa application fees when the application is denied.

If you cancel before submitting, no charge is made. Third-party services have their own refund policies — check before paying.

Djibouti eVisa Processing Time & How to Check Status

Standard Djibouti eVisa processing takes several business days. Express processing may be available for an additional fee.

Check your application status by logging into evisa.gouv.dj with your application reference number.

How to check the application status:

1. Go to evisa.gouv.dj.
2. Log in with your email and password.
3. Navigate to “My Applications”.
4. Find your application by reference number.
5. View current status: Pending / Under Review / Approved / Rejected.

After submitting your application, it will go through several status stages. Pending means it has been received but has not yet been checked.
Under Review indicates that an immigration officer is currently examining your application.
If the status shows Additional Documents Required, you will need to upload more files and should see your email for instructions.
Once accepted, the status will change to Approved, meaning your eVisa has been issued and can be downloaded from the portal or found in your email.
If the application is declined, it will be marked as Rejected, and you may either reapply or submit a new application at a Djibouti Embassy.

What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your eVisa Email

1. Check your spam/junk folder — approval emails may land in spam.
2. Log in to evisa.gouv.dj and check your application status directly.
3. Verify the email address you registered.
4. If the status shows “Approved” but no email has been received, download the eVisa PDF directly from the portal.
5. Contact evisa.gouv.dj support with your application reference number if the issue persists.

Processing During Weekends and Public Holidays

Processing days are business days only (Monday–Friday). Applications submitted on Friday afternoon may not begin processing until Monday.

Djibouti public holidays pause processing. Apply at least 10 business days before your travel date to account for delays.

Djibouti eVisa Stay & Entry Rules

The Djibouti eVisa is valid for single entry only, and the possible stay and validity vary, depending on the type and nationality.

Various options of eVisas are available, such as a transit visa for stays of 1–14 days and a short-stay visa for visits lasting 15–90 days.

Your eVisa validity starts from the date of issue, not the date you enter Djibouti.

If your eVisa is issued on March 1 and you enter on March 15, you have used 14 days of validity before arrival. Apply close to your travel date to maximize usable validity.

Entry Points

• Ambouli International Airport (Djibouti City) — primary entry point for air travelers.
• Port of Djibouti — entry for sea travelers.
• Land borders — entry from Ethiopia and Eritrea (verify current border status before travel).

The Djibouti business eVisa covers: attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and trade events, while the tourist one is for sightseeing, visiting friends, and leisure.

They are not issued for: taking up employment, working for a Djibouti-based company, or conducting paid activities.

Can You Extend a Djibouti eVisa?

Visa extension is possible in Djibouti on a case-by-case basis. Apply for it at the Direction de l’Immigration in Djibouti City before your current permit expires.

Extension is not guaranteed and depends on the reason for the request. Overstaying without an approved extension results in fines and potential deportation.

Visa-Free Countries

Nearly all other nationalities must obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Djibouti.

Citizens of Singapore holding an ordinary passport do not need a visa to enter Djibouti for short stays.

Some diplomatic or special passport holders from other countries may also be exempt under specific agreements.

Djibouti Transit Visa

Travelers transiting through Djibouti for a short period may not need a visa if they stay in the international transit area.

However, anyone leaving the airport or staying longer than a few hours must obtain a transit eVisa in advance.

Check with your airline and the Djibouti immigration authority before travel, as eligibility depends on nationality and connecting flight details.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I apply for a Djibouti eVisa?
  Apply at evisa.gouv.dj: create an account, select visa type, fill in the form, upload required documents, pay the fee and wait several business days for approval by email.
• Do US citizens need a visa for Djibouti?
  US citizens must obtain a Djibouti eVisa before travel. They can apply online at evisa.gouv.dj.
• How much does the Djibouti eVisa cost?
  The eVisa cost varies by permit type: a transit visa (valid for 1–14 days) is $12, whereas a short-stay visa (valid for 15–90 days) is $23.
• Can I get a visa on arrival in Djibouti?
  No. Djibouti replaced its visa on arrival system with the eVisa in February 2018.
• How long does Djibouti eVisa processing take?
  Standard processing takes several business days (Monday–Friday). Apply at least 10 business days before your travel date to account for potential delays.
• What documents do I need for the Djibouti eVisa?
  You need a passport, a face photo meeting specifications, flight reservation, hotel booking or host address, and invitation letter (if necessary). A yellow fever certificate is required if traveling from an endemic country.
• Is Djibouti eVisa available for all nationalities?
  Most nationalities can apply online. A small number of travelers are visa-free, while some must apply at a Djibouti Embassy. Check eligibility at evisa.gouv.dj.
• Can I extend my Djibouti eVisa?
  Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Apply for an extension at the Direction de l’Immigration in Djibouti City before your visa expires. Extension is not guaranteed.
• What if my Djibouti eVisa email is not received?
  Check your spam folder first. Then log in to evisa.gouv.dj and see your application status. If the status shows “Approved,” download the eVisa PDF directly from the portal. Contact support with your application reference number if the issue persists.
• What is the yellow fever requirement for Djibouti?
  A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are traveling from or transiting through a yellow fever endemic country (most of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America).
• When does the Djibouti eVisa validity start?
  Validity starts from the date of issue — not the date of entry. Apply close to your travel date to maximize usable validity.