Eritrea Travel Status

WATCH

International travel to Eritrea continues through Asmara, but significant restrictions affect movement outside the capital region. Travellers should also be aware of closed or highly restricted land borders, heightened tensions with Ethiopia, landmine risks near border areas and strict local travel-permit requirements.

Travel permits

Foreign nationals generally need official permission to travel outside Asmara’s surrounding Zoba Maekel region. Tourists must apply for travel permits before visiting many destinations outside the capital area.

Checkpoints

Checkpoints operate outside Asmara, where officials can inspect travel permits. Travellers should not assume that possessing an Eritrean visa gives unrestricted permission to travel throughout the country.

Permit applications

Tourists normally apply for travel permits through the Ministry of Tourism. Applications can take several days and approval is not guaranteed.

Ethiopia border

The security situation around the Eritrea-Ethiopia border remains tense. Current Ethiopian guidance says roads crossing the border are closed, while UK guidance advises against all travel within 25 kilometres of the Eritrean side of the border.

Djibouti border

Strong warnings also apply to the Eritrea-Djibouti border because of longstanding border tensions. Travellers should avoid the border region.

Sudan border

The border region with Sudan is also subject to strong travel warnings because of military activity and the continuing conflict in Sudan.

Landmines

Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a danger in some border areas, particularly near Ethiopia and Djibouti. Travellers should not leave established paved roads in affected regions.

Visa requirements

Most foreign visitors require an Eritrean visa before travelling. Travellers should obtain the appropriate visa before departure and check requirements with an Eritrean embassy or consulate.

Passport requirements

Passports should be valid for at least six months after arrival and should contain at least two consecutive blank pages for immigration stamps.

Photography restrictions

Photography of government buildings, military facilities and other sensitive locations can lead to questioning or detention. Travellers should ask permission before photographing potentially sensitive sites.

Ethiopia border tensions remain elevated

Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia remain high. Current official guidance warns that the situation could change quickly if tensions escalate.

Ethiopia border roads closed

Current Ethiopian travel guidance states that roads across the Eritrea-Ethiopia border are closed and conditions near the border can change without warning.

Red Sea security situation

Regional military activity and conflict around the Red Sea remain a concern. Travellers should monitor developments because regional escalation could affect transport and the ability to leave Eritrea.

International flights continue

Despite the regional situation, scheduled international flights continue to operate through Asmara International Airport.

Strict internal travel controls remain

Foreign visitors continue to require permits for travel outside the Asmara region and certain locations within the capital.

Check your visa and passport requirements before departure and do not assume you can obtain permission to enter on arrival.

If you intend to travel outside Asmara, determine whether you need a travel permit before making transport or accommodation arrangements.

Do not plan an itinerary that depends on crossing the land border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Current official information says border roads are closed.

Avoid travelling close to Eritrea’s borders with Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan. Military activity, border tensions and landmines make these areas significantly different from conditions in Asmara.

If travelling by air, monitor your airline because developments in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa region could cause short-notice schedule or routing changes.

Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.