Ethiopia
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for Ethiopia
You · American passport
Up to 30 days per visit
Get the Ethiopia e-Visa (tourist, single entry) before you travel.
evisa.gov.et · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
Up to 365 days per visit
It needs Carnet de Passages before you cross.
carnetdepassage.org · Confirm before you go · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 40 days out
Import permit, rabies and leptospirosis at least 30 days before, exam within 48 h, certificate valid 10 days. See the steps
gov.uk · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch Ethiopia.
We'll email you if Ethiopia's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into Ethiopia.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Have a vet implant an ISO microchip and record the number on every document.
- On or after the microchip
Rabies vaccination
Vaccinate against rabies with an inactivated vaccine after the microchip is in place.
- At least 30 days after the rabies shot
Wait 30 days after rabies vaccination (dogs only)
Entry is only allowed once at least 30 days have passed since the rabies vaccination.
- On or after the health certificate
Government endorsement of the certificate
Have the health certificate endorsed/stamped by the government veterinary authority of the country you leave from.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Veterinary import permit (dogs only)
Apply for an import permit from the Veterinary Public Health, Inspection and Quarantine Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa before travel; carry the original with the pet.
- At least 30 days before you arrive
Leptospirosis vaccination (dogs only)
Vaccinate against leptospirosis at least 30 days before export.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
Official health certificate
Get the destination's health certificate signed by an official (government-authorised) vet; it is valid for 10 days.
- Within 48 hours before you arrive
Vet exam within 48 hours of departure
A vet must examine the pet and find it healthy (no signs of contagious disease or external parasites) within 48 hours before travel.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Veterinary import permit (cats only)
Apply for an import permit from the Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa before travel; carry the original with the pet.
gov.uk · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in Ethiopia
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | eVisa | Up to 30 days per visit | evisa.gov.et · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in Ethiopia
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Carnet needed | Up to 365 days per visit | carnetdepassage.org · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a Ethiopia leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
