Visa & Travel Services

Visa categories and requirements

General information

• A valid travel document issued by the United Nations or a national passport for at least six months before the expiry date, with at least three blank pages for the visa.
• All health certificates, where required, should have a validity of three months.
• Upon receipt of the visa application and fees, the issuance of a visa takes ten working days.
• Failure to complete the form in the appropriate manner or provide the required supporting documents will delay the application's processing.
• If you are sending your passport by post, please enclose a self-addressed envelope with a postage stamp on it.
• There is no assurance that a visa will be issued, and any preparation or plan made for the journey will be done at the applicant's own risk.
• A visa is valid for three months from the date of issue unless stated otherwise.
• Visa requirements may change from time to time. Therefore, it is advisable to ask for further information in case of uncertainty.
• Application fees are non-refundable. The Embassy will not process an Application if the respective fees are not received. The fees can either be enclosed in the envelope with the documents to be posted to the Embassy or transferred into the Embassy Bank Account.
• In the case of a BANK TRANSFER, kindly contact the embassy for the bank account details. Please transfer the exact fee into the accounts. The Embassy would not be in a position to refund the excess payment.
• Official/Courtesy visas are issued free of charge to visiting delegations at the discretion of the Embassy.
• Kindly contact us at the Visa and Consular Affairs section for further information on visa-related matters.

Business Visa

• Valid passport
• Letter of invitation
• Two copies of the completed application form duly completed and signed.
• Two copies of the passport bio-data page.
• Two recent passport-size, color photographs
• An invitation letter from a host/registered company in Eritrea stating the purpose and duration of the applicant's visit.
• Name and contact information of sponsor/employer, as well as copies of the business registration in Eritrea
• A job letter stating the length of employment and position of the applicant.
• Any other supporting document that the Embassy deems appropriate.
• Application Fee: CHF …….

Tourist Visa

• Valid passport.
• Two copies of the completed application form duly completed and signed.
• Two recent passport-size, color photographs.
• Two copies of the passport bio-data page.
• Proof of financial support.
• Hotel/apartment reservation (if applicable)
• Application Fee: CHF …….

Courtesy Visas

• UN and other international organizations staff members and employees of diplomatic missions who hold diplomatic and service passports are eligible for an official visa to Eritrea.
• Valid passport.
• Letter of invitation.
• Two copies of the completed application form duly completed and signed.
• Two recent passport-size, color photographs.
• Two copies of the passport bio-data page.
• Courtesy visas are issued free of charge to visiting delegations at the discretion of the Embassy.