Eritrea Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens need a visa to visit Eritrea, applied for at the Eritrean Embassy in London. The visa fee is approximately $70 USD and processing takes 10-15 business days. Eritrea is East Africa's most isolated country, with extremely limited tourism infrastructure, strict government controls on photography and movement, and an extraordinary cultural heritage from its Italian colonial past. Travel to Eritrea requires significant preparation and authorization.
United Kingdom passport holders require a visa to enter Eritrea.
Apply for an Eritrean tourist visa at the Eritrean Embassy in London (96 White Lion Street, London N1 9PF). Required documents: valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity), completed visa application form, passport photos, return flight booking, accommodation details, itinerary, and visa fee ($70 USD or GBP equivalent). Processing takes 10-15 business days. A separate tourist permit may be required from the Eritrean Ministry of Tourism once in Asmara; check requirements with the embassy before travel. Photography restrictions are strictly enforced: photography near military installations, government buildings, the port at Massawa, and infrastructure is forbidden.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Completed Eritrean visa application form
Passport photos
Return flight booking
Hotel/accommodation booking in Asmara
Travel itinerary
Visa fee (~$70 USD or GBP equivalent)
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Eritrea: What You Need to Know
Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year liberation struggle, making it Africa's newest nation. Eritrea is often called "the North Korea of Africa" due to its extreme isolation, indefinite military service requirement (which has driven mass emigration), and strict limits on press freedom and civil society. Tourism is very limited and tightly controlled by the government. Photography of military installations, government buildings, and sensitive sites is forbidden. Despite these challenges, Eritrea offers genuinely extraordinary tourism for the adventurous: Asmara (capital), a UNESCO-listed city with the highest concentration of Modernist/Futurist Italian colonial architecture in the world, the Dahlak Archipelago (pristine Red Sea diving), and ancient Aksumite ruins at Qohaito and Metera.
How to Get There
No direct UK-Eritrea flights exist. Connect to Asmara (ASM) via Cairo (EgyptAir or Air Arabia), Dubai (flydubai), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). Ethiopian Airlines has historically served ASM regularly from Addis. Total journey from London to Asmara is approximately 12-18 hours depending on connection.
Money & Banking
Eritrea uses the Eritrean nakfa (ERN). The official exchange rate is 15 ERN to 1 USD, but black market rates are much higher. The ERN is not freely convertible. ATMs for international cards are not reliably available outside major hotels in Asmara. Bring sufficient USD or EUR cash. Eritrea is extremely affordable by tourist standards: accommodation and meals cost very little. However, the limited tourism infrastructure means limited options.
Practical Tips
Asmara: the UNESCO-listed Modernist city center with its Fiat Tagliero petrol station (a 1938 Futurist building without columns, resembling an aircraft), the Art Deco Cinema Impero, Bar Vittoria, the Orthodox Cathedral, and the Asmara Market. The Massawa coast (2-hour drive from Asmara): a historic Red Sea port city with Ottoman and Italian architecture, and access to the Dahlak Archipelago for diving. The Semenawi Bahri nature reserve (Green Belt) above Asmara. Ancient ruins: Qohaito and Metera (Aksumite empire ruins, 3-4 hours from Asmara) are among Africa's least-visited but most significant archaeological sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Eritrea?
Yes. UK passport holders need a visa from the Eritrean Embassy in London. The fee is approximately $70 USD and processing takes 10-15 business days. Photography and movement restrictions apply -- contact the embassy for current requirements before travel.
Is Eritrea safe to visit?
Eritrea is considered stable for visitors in Asmara and the main tourist areas. The risks are primarily related to border areas (avoid land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti without specific guidance), strict rules on photography, and the need to follow government travel regulations. Check the UK Foreign Office travel advice for current safety status.
What makes Eritrea unique as a travel destination?
Asmara's Italian Modernist and Futurist architecture is genuinely extraordinary -- a UNESCO World Heritage site unlike anything else in Africa or the world. The Dahlak Archipelago Red Sea diving is virtually untouched. Eritrea offers a truly off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travellers prepared for limited infrastructure and strict regulations.