United Kingdom visa requirements for Ethiopians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ethiopians visiting United Kingdom

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Briton Visa.

  • A valid Ethiopian passport that is valid for your whole stay in the UK and has at least one blank page for your visa.
  • A duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • 2 colour passport-size photographs recently taken.
  • Financial documents, such as your bank statements, showing that you have sufficient funds available.
  • Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of stay in the UK.
  • Proof of the purpose of your visit to the UK.
  • Travel medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay.
  • Minors travelling unaccompanied or with someone other than a parent or guardian must provide a signed letter of consent from the parents and a copy of the parents’ biographical page of their passport.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.

United Kingdom Visa for Ethiopians

Facts about United Kingdom

The United Kingdom consists of four countries which are: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
London, the capital of the United Kingdom is a great location for tourist and it's also its largest city.

The United Kingdom is one of the largest economy based on nominal GDP and is a very popular choice destination among business people. A lot of tourists also visit the country because of the wonderful sites to visit and the rich history of the country. Tourists who visit can easily bask in the gorgeous view of many of the city’s landmarks from the Coca-cola London Eye as well as many historical sites.

London is home to a wide range of attractions: art at galleries such as the National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The Tate, and the Tate Modern, amongst others. There are cultural treats in the theatres and cinema of the West End and South Bank, and the recreated home of Shakespeare in the capital, the Globe. 

The Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge. The Georgian architecture, Roman Baths, York Minister, Canterbury Cathedral and Shakespeare's Birthplace are some interesting landmarks to visit in the UK.

With 36.115 million people visiting in 2015, The United Kingdom is the sixth top destination for tourists. This number has steadily been on the rise since 2015.

Types of United Kingdom Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Visitor Visa 21 days 6 months
Business visa 21 days 6 months
Medical visa 21 days 6 months
Student visa 21 days More than 11 months
Work visa 21 days More than 11 months
Transit visa 21 days 48 hours

General Requirements for United Kingdom Visa

  • A valid Ethiopian passport that is valid for your whole stay in the UK and has at least one blank page for your visa.
  • A duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • 2 colour passport-size photographs recently taken.
  • Financial documents, such as your bank statements, showing that you have sufficient funds available.
  • Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of stay in the UK.
  • Proof of the purpose of your visit to the UK.
  • Travel medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay.
  • Minors travelling unaccompanied or with someone other than a parent or guardian must provide a signed letter of consent from the parents and a copy of the parents’ biographical page of their passport.
  • Proof of paid visa fee.
United Kingdom Visitor Visa United Kingdom Business visa United Kingdom Medical visa United Kingdom Student visa United Kingdom Work visa United Kingdom Transit visa

United Kingdom Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Ethiopians who intend to travel to the UK for tourism, vacation, sightseeing or other leisure activities are eligible to apply for the Standard Visitor visa.
  • The Standard Visitor visa also allows its holder to visit friends or relatives residing in the UK.
  • You are required to show that you plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit by submitting a copy of your return flight ticket to Ethiopia.
  • You must show that you are able to support yourself or your family (if they are travelling with you) financially for the duration of your stay in the UK by providing any of the following documents:
    • copy of your most recent bank statements.
    • proof of earnings such as a letter from your employer confirming your employment details. The letter must also state the start date of your employment, your salary and role in the company and the company’s contact details.
    • if a third party in the UK will be sponsoring your trip, you should provide documents to show that they have sufficient resources to support you in addition to themselves.
  • If you are employed, you’re required to provide details of your employment in the form of a letter from your employer on the company’s letterhead stating your role, salary and length of your employment.
  • If you are studying in Ethiopia, you should submit a letter from your school on the school’s letterhead confirming your enrolment and leave of absence.
  • If you are self-employed, you are to submit proof of your business registration. This proof should confirm the business owner’s name and the date the business started trading.
  • You are advised to get a travel medical insurance that will cover the entire duration of your stay in the UK if you don’t already have one.
  • If you are visiting friends or relatives in the UK, getting a letter of invitation from them might help your visa application.
  • The Standard Visitor visa usually allows its holder to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months unless otherwise stated.
  • This visa does not allow you to work in the UK but you can study with it for up to 30 days. You should note that studying must not be the main reason for your visit if this is to be allowed.
  • You need to book an online appointment for your visa application. Your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken at your appointment.

United Kingdom Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements


  • Ethiopians intending to travel to the UK for any business purpose such as a conference, meeting or training, you are to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
  • If you are an artiste, entertainer or a musician and you are travelling to the UK to perform, you also have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
  • An academic doing research or accompanying students on a study abroad programme should also apply for the Standard Visitor visa.
  • Ethiopians who want to get funding to start, take over, join or run a business in the UK can also apply for the Standard Visitor visa.
  • You are required to submit documents that prove the purpose of your visit to the UK including a letter of invitation from the inviting organisation.
    • for any business activities, you are to submit a letter from your employer stating the purpose of your visit, the details of the partner company in the UK and who will be covering your travel expenses.
    • if you are an artiste or travelling to perform in the UK, you’re to provide details of your what and where you will be performing.
  • While in the UK, you can study for up to 30 days as long as it is not the main reason for your visit.
  • You cannot apply for this visa earlier than 3 months from the date you intend to travel.
  • You must declare to customs if you are entering the UK with more than 10,000 euros (or its equivalent) in cash.
  • This visa usually allows a stay of up to 6 months.
    • if you’re an academic on sabbatical and coming to the UK for research, you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months. You will have to pay a fee of £190 (note that: you must apply for a biometric residence permit).

    United Kingdom Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • If you are travelling to the UK to receive private medical treatment, you are to apply for the Standard Visitor visa.
    • A letter from your doctor or consultant in the UK must be submitted. This letter must contain the details of the condition requiring treatment or consultation, the estimated cost of the treatment, duration of the treatment and the details of where the treatment or consultation will take place.
    • The Standard Visitor visa usually allows a stay of up to 6 months, however, for private medical treatment, you can stay for up to 11 months. You will have to pay a visa fee of £190.
    • If you’re staying in the UK to receive private medical treatment for longer than 6 months, you must apply for a biometric residence permit.
    • If you are applying for an 11-month visa, you are required to submit a valid medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner and approved by the Secretary of State confirming that you have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that such tuberculosis is not present in you.
    • if you are applying for an extension of stay for private medical treatment, you must provide a letter from a registered medical practitioner at a private practice or NHS hospital detailing the medical condition requiring further treatment and documents to show that you have met the costs of any treatment already received.
    • You must declare to customs if you are entering the UK with more than 10,000 euros (or its equivalent) in cash.

    United Kingdom Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • Ethiopians travelling to the UK to study for more than a year need a General student visa (Tier 4).
    • To be eligible to apply for this visa you must have received an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor.
    • A valid Ethiopian passport is required for your visa application with at least one blank page for your visa.
    • You must accurately complete and sign a visa application form.
    • A reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) should be gotten from your educational institution in the UK as you will need it for your visa application.
    • You must provide proof that you can speak, read, write and understand English. This usually means passing a secure English language test.
    • You are required to have enough money to support yourself and pay for the course for the entire duration of your stay in the UK.
    • If you are a recipient of a scholarship, you are to provide evidence of such sponsorship, how much you are entitled to and other details of your scholarship.
    • If you are under 18, you must submit a letter of consent from your parents or guardians and proof of your relationship with your parent or guardian.
    • A tuberculosis certificate is required for studies that are over 6 months.
    • Your biometric detail will be collected in order for your visa application can be processed.
    • If you’re staying in the UK to study for longer than 6 months, you must apply for a biometric residence permit.
    • You may be asked to undertake an interview in person or on the phone to check that you are a genuine student. Failure to meet the required level of English proficiency or other requirements will lead to refusal of a visa.
    • To extend the General student visa (tier 4), you must apply for an extension at most 3 months before your current visa expires and will be required to pay a fee of £475.
    • If your studies will NOT exceed 11 months such as taking a short course of study or a short period of research as part of a degree course you’re taking in Ethiopia, you need to apply for a Short-term study visa.
      • The short-term study visa allows you to stay for the length of your study and extend your stay for an extra 30 days as long as your total stay in the UK doesn’t exceed 6 months or 11 months and you are 16 or older and studying an English language course.
      • The short-term study visa costs £97 for a 6-month visa and £186 for an 11-month visa.
      • You cannot apply for the short-term study visa earlier than 3 months before the date you intend to travel to the UK. The visa processing usually takes 3 weeks.

    United Kingdom Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • The UK General work visa (Tier 2) is issued to foreign nationals that have been offered a skilled job in the UK.
    • Applicants are required to submit a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job.
    • You must also show that you are being paid an appropriate salary for your job.
    • You must prove your knowledge of English.
    • You must also prove that you can use to support yourself when you arrive in the UK.
    • Your Ethiopian passport must be valid with at least one blank visa page. You are to provide documents showing your travel history for the last 5 years.
    • A tuberculosis certificate is required.
    • You must also provide a criminal record certificate if you will be working with vulnerable people such as in an educational institution, a healthcare institution or as a social worker.
    • You need to get a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer to add to your application. It is an electronic record that holds your personal details and information about the job you’ve been offered. The reference number can be used only once within 3 months of getting it.
    • You may be able to extend your visa if you have the same job as when you were issued the visa, you are still working with the same employer who assigned your certificate of sponsorship and you are still earning an appropriate salary.
      • You can apply to extend your visa for up to another 5 years, as long as your total stay is not more than 6 years.
      • The visa extension usually takes about 8 weeks.
    • If you are applying for a work visa for a stay of not more than 3 years, the work visa fee is £464. For more than 3 years it costs £1220

    United Kingdom Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

    • Ethiopians who intend to travel through the UK to their destination need to apply for a transit visa.
    • Applicants must be able to prove that they will be in transit to another country, with enough funds.
    • The purpose of travel to the applicant's destination must be stated.
    • Ethiopians applying for the transit visa must provide a valid entry permit such as a valid visa for their country of destination.
    • The UK transit visa is valid for 2 days (48 hours).
    • You can apply online for a Direct Airside Transit visa but you have to show up at the visa application centre for your biometric information to be taken.

    United Kingdom Visa Fees

    Visa Type

    Sub Types

    Visa Fees

    Visitor Visa

    95.00 (GBP)

    Business visa

    95.00 (GBP)

    Medical visa

    95.00 (GBP)

    Student visa

    348.00 (GBP)

    Work visa

    464.00 (GBP)

    Transit visa

    35.00 (GBP)

    United Kingdom Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Ethiopia

    Location

    Address

    Addis Ababa

    Comoros Street, P.O. Box 858, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    www.gov.uk/government/world/ethiopia

    -

    (+251) 11 617 0100

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I extend my Standard Visitor visa for the UK?

    If you hold a Standard Visitor visa, you can apply for an extension as long as your total stay in the UK does not exceed 6 months. That is, if you apply for a 3-month visa, you can apply for an extension for an additional 3 months.

    Can I work or study in the UK with a visitor visa?

    You cannot work in the UK with a visitor visa. You may, however, be able to study for up to 30 days so long as that is not the main reason for your travel to the UK.

    Can I get a UK multiple-entry visa?

    If you plan to enter the UK regularly over a longer period, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. You can stay for a maximum of  6 months on each visit. For 2 years, the visa fee is £361, for 5 years, it costs £655 and for 10 years it costs £822.

    How long does it take to get a UK visa?

    It usually takes 3 weeks to get a decision on your UK visa application. Applicants should note that if any additional documents are required for their visa application, the embassy will reach out to them.