The Djibouti eVisa costs $12 USD for a transit visa (1-14 days) and $23 USD for a short-stay visa (15-90 days). These fees are set by the Government of Djibouti and paid directly through the official eVisa portal at evisa.gouv.dj. There are no hidden government charges beyond these amounts, though third-party visa services may add their own processing fees on top.
How Much Does a Djibouti Visa Cost?
Djibouti keeps its visa fees straightforward. The government offers two electronic visa categories, each with a fixed price in US dollars. Every applicant worldwide pays the same amount regardless of nationality.
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (USD) | Entry Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit Visa | 1 to 14 days | $12 | Single entry |
| Short-Stay Visa | 15 to 90 days | $23 | Single entry |
Both visa types are processed through the same online system at evisa.gouv.dj. The short-stay visa is by far the most common choice for tourists and business travelers.
Why are Djibouti visa fees so affordable? Compared to many African nations that charge $50 to $100 or more for tourist visas, Djibouti’s pricing is notably low. The government introduced the electronic system in 2018 specifically to simplify entry and encourage tourism, keeping fees accessible.
Djibouti Visa Types and Their Fees in Detail
Transit Visa: $12
The transit visa is designed for travelers passing through Djibouti on their way to another destination. It covers stays of up to 14 days.
Best for:
– Connecting flights with a long layover
– Short business meetings
– Brief stopovers en route to Ethiopia, Somalia, or Yemen
Short-Stay Visa: $23
The short-stay visa allows a single entry for tourism or business purposes with stays ranging from 15 to 90 days. This is the standard visa most visitors need.
Best for:
– Tourism and sightseeing
– Business trips and conferences
– Visiting friends or family
– Exploring Djibouti’s natural attractions (Lake Assal, Day Forest National Park)
Important: Both visa types are single-entry only. If you leave Djibouti and want to return, you need to apply for a new eVisa and pay the fee again.
How to Pay for Your Djibouti eVisa
All payments are processed through the official eVisa portal at evisa.gouv.dj. You pay online at the end of the application process.
Accepted Payment Methods
| Card Type | Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa credit/debit | Yes | Most widely used |
| Mastercard credit/debit | Yes | Globally accepted |
| American Express | Yes | Accepted on the portal |
| PayPal | No | Not available |
| Bank transfer | No | Not available |
| Cash | No | Online payment only |
What Happens If Your Payment Fails?
Payment failures are uncommon but can happen. If your transaction does not go through:
- Check your card settings – Make sure international online transactions are enabled on your card.
- Contact your bank – Some banks block unfamiliar international transactions for security. Ask them to authorize the payment.
- Try a different card – Switch to another Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card.
- Clear browser cache – Sometimes cached data interferes with the payment page.
- Contact evisa.gouv.dj support – If nothing works, reach out to the portal’s support team with your application reference number.
Currency and Exchange Rate Considerations
The fee is listed in US dollars (USD), but your card may be denominated in another currency. Your bank handles the currency conversion automatically at the current exchange rate. Be aware that:
- Your bank may apply a small foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%).
- The exchange rate used is your bank’s rate on the processing date, not the rate shown on Google or other converters.
- The total charged to your card may differ slightly from the exact USD amount due to these conversion fees.
Official Portal vs Third-Party Visa Services
Many travelers wonder whether to apply directly through the government portal or use a third-party service. Here is a cost comparison:
| Feature | Official Portal (evisa.gouv.dj) | Third-Party Services |
|---|---|---|
| Transit visa fee | $12 | $12 + service fee ($20-50) |
| Short-stay visa fee | $23 | $23 + service fee ($25-60) |
| Total transit cost | $12 | $32-62 |
| Total short-stay cost | $23 | $48-83 |
| Processing time | 4-7 business days | 3-7 business days |
| Status tracking | Yes (online) | Yes (usually email) |
| Customer support | Government portal | Dedicated support team |
| Refund on denial | No | Varies by provider |
Bottom line: Applying directly through evisa.gouv.dj saves you $20 to $60 per application. Third-party services offer convenience and support, but the actual visa fee paid to the government is identical regardless of where you apply.
Watch out for: Some third-party sites display their total price (including service fees) in a way that makes it look like the government fee is higher. The government fee is always $12 for transit and $23 for short-stay, no exceptions.
Djibouti Visa Fees for Children and Minors
Children and minors traveling to Djibouti require their own eVisa application and pay the same fees as adults. There is no reduced rate for children.
| Applicant | Transit Visa | Short-Stay Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | $12 | $23 |
| Children (under 18) | $12 | $23 |
| Infants | $12 | $23 |
Additional Requirements for Minors
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate must be uploaded.
- If the child is traveling without both parents, a notarized parental consent letter is required.
- The accompanying parent or guardian must also hold a valid Djibouti eVisa.
Refund Policy and What Happens to Your Fee
Understanding the refund policy before you pay is important:
- Application denied: The Djibouti government does not refund the visa fee if your application is rejected. The $12 or $23 fee is non-refundable regardless of the denial reason.
- Application canceled before submission: If you abandon the application before submitting payment, no charge is made.
- Duplicate payment: If you accidentally pay twice for the same application, contact evisa.gouv.dj support immediately with proof of both transactions.
Fee Changes
The Djibouti government reserves the right to change visa fees at any time. The fees listed here ($12 and $23) reflect current published rates. Always verify the latest fees at evisa.gouv.dj before starting your application.
Djibouti Visa Fee vs Other East African Countries
How does Djibouti’s visa cost compare to its neighbors?
| Country | Tourist Visa Fee | Validity | Entry Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Djibouti** | **$23** | 15-90 days | Single |
| Ethiopia | $82 | 30-90 days | Single |
| Kenya | $30 | 90 days | Single |
| Tanzania | $50 | 90 days | Single |
| Uganda | $50 | 90 days | Single |
| Rwanda | $50 | 30 days | Single |
Djibouti offers one of the most affordable visa fees in the East African region. Only Kenya comes close at $30, while Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda all charge significantly more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Djibouti Visa Fees
How much does a Djibouti visa cost?
A Djibouti transit visa costs $12 USD (for stays of 1-14 days) and a short-stay visa costs $23 USD (for stays of 15-90 days). Both are paid through the official portal at evisa.gouv.dj.
Is the Djibouti eVisa fee the same for all nationalities?
Yes. The fee is fixed by the Government of Djibouti and is identical for all nationalities. There are no nationality-based surcharges or discounts.
Can I pay for my Djibouti eVisa with PayPal?
No. The official eVisa portal at evisa.gouv.dj accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit or debit cards only. PayPal and bank transfers are not supported.
Do children pay the same visa fee as adults?
Yes. Children and infants pay the same $12 or $23 fee as adult applicants. There is no reduced rate for minors.
Will I get a refund if my Djibouti visa application is denied?
No. The Djibouti government does not refund visa fees for denied applications. The $12 or $23 fee is non-refundable.
Are there any hidden fees beyond the $12 or $23?
No hidden government fees exist. The $12 (transit) and $23 (short-stay) are the only charges when you apply directly through evisa.gouv.dj. Third-party services add their own service fees on top of the government fee.
Why is the Djibouti visa fee so low compared to other countries?
Djibouti introduced its electronic visa system in 2018 to simplify entry and encourage tourism. The government intentionally set low fees to make the country more accessible to international travelers.
Does my bank charge extra when I pay for the eVisa?
Possibly. The fee is in US dollars, so if your card uses a different currency, your bank may apply a foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%) and use its own exchange rate.
Can I apply for a Djibouti visa on arrival instead?
No. Djibouti replaced the visa-on-arrival system with the electronic visa (eVisa) in February 2018. You must apply and pay online through evisa.gouv.dj before traveling.
What is the difference between the $12 and $23 Djibouti visa?
The $12 visa is a transit visa valid for 1 to 14 days. The $23 visa is a short-stay visa valid for 15 to 90 days. Choose based on the length of your planned stay in Djibouti.
