Ethiopia flag → United States of America flag
Ethiopia → United States of America

How to get a United States of America visa from Ethiopia

Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Ethiopian passport holders travelling to United States of America.

Visa types & fees

3 visa options for travelling to United States of America.

Student visa

CategoryStudent (F)
Processing time3 weeks
ValidityDepends on duration of study
Fee (approx.)$160

Visitor Visa

CategoryTourism(B-2) Visa
Processing time3 weeks
Validity3 months
Fee (approx.)$160

Work visa

Processing time3 weeks
ValidityDepends on contract
Fee (approx.)$190

Application requirements

Documents Ethiopian applicants need to provide.

  • An original passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States. There must be at least 2 blank visa pages in it.
  • Completed visa application form.
  • 1 colour passport-size photo taken within the last 6 months with a white background.
  • A document stating the purpose of your trip to the United States.
  • Proof of roundtrip flight reservation and/or confirmed travel itinerary showing entry and exit dates.
  • Proof of reserved private or hotel accommodation in the United States for the entire duration of stay.
  • Proof of payment of visa fee.

Visa type details

Tourism(B-2)
  • Ethiopians who intend to travel to the United State of America for recreational purposes such as tourism, visiting relatives or friends, vacation must apply for the US visitor visa (B-2).
  • If you are travelling to the US to participate in a social event, enrol in a short recreational course of study or for medical treatment, you should also apply for this visa.
  • You are required to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), print the application form confirmation page, and take it along for your interview.
  • You will upload your photo while completing the online form. The photo must be coloured and taken within the last 6 months with a white background.
  • Your Ethiopian passport and other travel documents (such as a valid residence permit, if you are not a national of the country you are applying) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you exit the United States.
  • You should also go with your visa application fee payment receipt for your interview.
  • You are required to submit documents that prove the purpose of your trip to the US and show an intent to leave the United States after your trip.
    • Evidence of your employment and/or family ties in your country of origin may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to leave the United States after your trip.
  • You are also required to present documents that prove that you can pay for your trip. This could be you most recent bank account statements, most recent payslips or other financial documents that show your financial solvency.
    • If you cannot cover all the costs of your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs of your travel.
  • If you have a letter of invitation from your host in the United States, you may take it along for your interview but you should know that it does not influence the consular officer’s decision to grant or deny your visa request.
  • This visa is a multiple-entry visa and it is valid for 24 months. That is, you can use the visa for travel to the US from the date it is issued until the date it expires.
  • The B-2 visa allows a stay of up to 3 months in the United States. This means that you cannot stay more than 3 months per visit to the States.
  • You are not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States when you hold a B-2 visa.
  • You are advised to NOT buy a flight ticket until you have been granted a visa as there is no guarantee you will be issued a visa.
  • If you are travelling to the United States for medical treatment, you should take the following documents along for your interview:
    • Medical diagnosis from a local physician explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
    • Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating their willingness to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
    • Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid.

Business (B-1)
  • Ethiopians who intend to travel to the United States for business purposes such as to consult with business associates, negotiate a contract, attend scientific, educational, professional or business conferences and conventions are to apply for a visitor visa (B-1).
  • If you are travelling to the United States to compete (for prize money) as an athlete, amateur or professional, or to work as a personal or domestic employee, you may also apply for the B-1 visa.
  • You are required to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), print the application form confirmation page, and take it along for your interview.
  • You will upload your photo while completing the online form. The photo must be coloured and taken within the last 6 months with a white background. If you are unable to upload your photo you should go along with a printed photo that meets all the visa photo specifications.
  • Your Ethiopian passport and other travel documents (such as a valid residence permit, if you are not a national of the country you are applying) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you exit the United States.
  • You should also go with your visa application fee payment receipt for your interview.
  • Holders of the B-1 visa are not allowed to take-up employment, work or study in the United States.
  • The B-1 visa is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for 24 months but allows a maximum stay of 6 months per visit.
  • You may be required to present documents to prove the following:
    • The purpose of your travel,
    • your intent to return to your country of origin,
    • your financial ability to cover all your travel expenses.
  • Evidence of your employment and/or family ties in your country of origin may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to leave the United States after your trip.
  • You are advised to NOT buy a flight ticket until you have been granted a visa as there is no guarantee you will be issued a visa.
  • If you have a letter of invitation from your host in the United States, you may take it along for your interview but you should know that a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa, neither does it influence the consular officer’s decision to grant or deny your visa request.

Student visa
  • A foreign citizen who intends to travel to the United States to study in a university, college, high school, seminary, conservatory or another academic institution, including a language training program, must apply for a student visa (F).
  • You must have first received an admission offer from a SEVP-approved school before you can be eligible to apply for a student visa.
  • The SEVP-approved school will issue you a Form I-20 which you will have to complete before and present to the consular officer at your interview. The Form I-20 form must be signed by both you and your school official.
    • You should note that you must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
  • You are required to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), print the application form confirmation page, and take it along for your interview.
  • You will upload your photo while completing the online form. The photo must be coloured and taken within the last 6 months with a white background. If you are unable to upload your photo you should go along with a printed photo that meets all the visa photo specifications.
  • Unless you are 13 years of age or under, or you are 80 or older, you have to schedule an interview after completing the online application.
  • If you are applying for a student visa for the first time, you can be issued the visa up to 120 days before the start date of your start date, although, you will not be allowed to enter the US more than 30 days before the start date.
  • Continuing students may be issued the visa at any time as long as they are still enrolled in a SEVP-approved school.
  • You may be asked to present the following documents, so you should have them with you when going for your interview:
    • Your academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates from schools you attended,
    • Your intent to return to your country of origin once you complete your course of studies.
    • Documents to show that you can pay all your educational, living and travel costs.
  • If you are in the United States on a student visa (F), you must leave the country within 60 days after the end date of your study as shown on your Form I-20.

Work visa
  • Foreign nations who intend to work lawfully in the United States on a temporary position must apply for any of the Temporary Worker Visas based on the nature of work to be done in the country.
  • You must have received an employment offer from a United States employer before you can apply for the US work visa. You should contact your employer to know which visa type you should apply for.
  • Your prospective employer is required to first file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). An approved petition is required to apply for a work visa.
  • You are required to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), print the application form confirmation page, and take it along for your interview.
  • You will upload your photo while completing the online form. The photo must be coloured and taken within the last 6 months with a white background. If you are unable to upload your photo you should go along with a printed photo that meets all the visa photo specifications.
  • Your Ethiopian passport and other travel documents (such as a valid residence permit, if you are not a national of the country you are applying) must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you exit the United States.
  • You should also go with your visa application fee payment receipt for your interview.
  • The receipt number for your approved petition is required for your visa application.
  • You may be required to present any of the following documents as proof of compelling ties to your home country to show that you intend to return to your country of origin:
    • A residence in your home country you don’t intend to abandon,
    • Your family relationships,
    • Your economic situation,
    • Your long term plans.

Where to apply

United States of America embassy & visa application centers in Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa

Address14 Entoto Road, P.O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Phone(+251) (11) 130-6000
Email-
Websiteet.usembassy.gov
DayOpensCloses
Mon09:0016:00
Tue09:0016:00
Wed09:0016:00
Thu09:0016:00
Fri09:0016:00
Sat——
Sun——

Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my United States visa
Yes, you may extend your temporary stay in the United States. To do that, you have to file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your current visa expires. If you stay longer than the allowed time, you may be deported and/or barred from returning to the States.

How many times can I use my visa
The U.S. visitor visas are multiple-entry visas, which means they allow its holder to enter the US more than once until the visa expires. You are, however, not allowed to stay more the granted duration per visit.

How long does it take to process my visa application
The time it will take for your visa application to be processed depends on the completeness of your visa application and the amount of verification your visa application requires. You, however, have to wait for 20 working days from the day you submit your application to get an interview appointment.

Should I book my flight before the interview
Applicants are strongly advised NOT to book their travel until after they receive their passport and visa. This is to avoid loss of money in case your visa request is rejected.

If my application is denied, can I get a refund of the visa fee
No, the fee is non-refundable as it is the application fee which covers the cost of processing your application.
United States of America embassy in Ethiopia All Ethiopia visa requirements
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest United States of America visa requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.