Do I Need a Visa to Transit Through Addis Ababa Airport?
Quick answer: If you stay within the international transit area at Bole International Airport (ADD), no visa is required regardless of layover length. A broader 24-hour to 7-day visa-free stopover policy was approved by Ethiopia's Council of Ministers in April 2026, but as of this page's last update it remains pending parliamentary ratification and isn't yet in force.
This page tracks when that policy actually takes effect, since it would meaningfully change stopover options for travellers currently relying on Ethiopian Airlines' own stopover program.
Current transit rules
- No visa needed while remaining in the international transit area, regardless of layover length.
- Ethiopian Airlines' 8-24 hour stopover program generally includes transit visa assistance as part of the package.
- Terminal 2 handles all international arrivals, departures, and most transit passengers.
- April 2026 — a 24-hour to 7-day visa-free stopover policy approved by the Council of Ministers, pending parliamentary ratification as of this update.
Why the pending policy matters
Once ratified, the new policy would let stopover travellers leave the airport and explore Addis Ababa for up to a week without a separate visa application — a meaningful upgrade from the current system, which mostly relies on Ethiopian Airlines' own stopover program for anyone wanting to leave the transit area. Until it's actually in force, plan around the existing rules rather than the announced policy.
Longer-term airport development
A new mega-hub at Bishoftu International Airport broke ground in January 2026, targeting a 2030 opening and 110 million annual passengers. This doesn't affect current transit — Bole remains the operating international hub for the foreseeable future, and the timeline is long enough that it shouldn't factor into near-term trip planning.
This page summarizes a developing policy situation for general awareness. Always check current entry requirements directly with Ethiopian immigration authorities or your airline before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
If you stay within the international transit area at Bole International Airport (ADD), no visa is required regardless of layover length. If you're on Ethiopian Airlines' 8-24 hour stopover program, a transit visa is generally arranged as part of that package, so a separate application usually isn't needed.
Not yet. A visa-free stopover policy covering 24 hours to 7 days was approved by Ethiopia's Council of Ministers in April 2026, but as of the most recent update it remains pending parliamentary ratification and is not yet in force. Check current status before planning a trip around it.
Terminal 2 serves all international arrivals, departures, and most transit passengers at Bole International Airport.
Yes — a new mega-hub at Bishoftu International Airport broke ground in January 2026 and is expected to open in 2030, designed to handle 110 million passengers annually. This doesn't affect current transit through Bole, which remains the operating hub.
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