How to Apply for a Djibouti Visa in Raleigh : visasupply.com

The small East African nation of Djibouti is an uncommon leisure travel destination for residents of the Raleigh-Durham area. The smallest and least-populated nation in Africa (population 1.1 million) is known mainly for its strategic military and geopolitical importance. However, the multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country has welcomed foreign travelers for centuries with its warm hospitality and diverse natural features.

“Nestled in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is a little piece of heaven for nature and history lovers, food enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by the ethnic composition of this tiny land inhabited since the Neolithic Age.,” according to a profile on the Culture Trip website (https://theculturetrip.com/africa/djibouti/articles/12-reasons-why-you-should-visit-djibouti-at-least-once-in-your-lifetime ). “Djibouti is home to three ethnic groups that live side by side in harmony and peace. Somali, Afar and Arabs have been coexisting together here since the Ifat Sultanate that dates back to the 12th century.”

Bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the Republic of Djibouti covers less than 9,000 square miles (which is less than one-fifth the size of North Carolina). In ancient times, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somaliland made up the Land of Punt. During the late Nineteenth Century, France established the colony of Somaliland. In 1977, the Djiboutian people voted for independence and the Republic of Djibouti (named for its capital city) was established. French and Arabic are the two official languages, with most locals speaking Afar and Somali.

Djibouti’s strategic location on the Red Sea near the Suez Canal drives much of its economy. “Its port is the lifeblood of its economy, providing the biggest source of income and employment in this otherwise barren country,” according to BBC News. “Djibouti's proximity to restive areas in Africa and the Middle East and its relative stability have made it a prized location for foreign military bases and ensured a steady flow of foreign assistance.” The country hosts the United States’ only military base in Africa, plus China’s first overseas military base; Japan’s first post-World War II base; and NATO, French, and Italian bases. The government earns more than $140 million annually from military leases -- more than 5% of its GDP. Djibouti is also the primary seaport for the landlocked nations of Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Most visitors from the Raleigh area coming to Djibouti will likely be traveling for business reasons rather than leisure travel. Shipping and logistics (including the Port of Djibouti and Ambouli International Airport) drive much of its trade. Natural resources include deposits of gold, granite, limestone and marble, while natural gas and petroleum discoveries and geothermal opportunities promise to expand energy production. “From an investor’s perspective, Djibouti is a young country that presents untapped opportunities,” according to Djibouti’s U.S. Embassy. The embassy cited its strategic location, stable government, infrastructure developments, and access to markets serving more than 400 million residents. (https://www.djiboutiembassyus.org/page/investment-opportunities)

While tourism currently accounts for few foreign visitors and a tiny portion of the Djiboutian economy, the government has made expanding leisure travel one of its top priorities. It aims to attract half a million visitors annually by 2030 by encouraging new hotel construction and expanding access to tourist-friendly attractions. According to its U.S. embassy, “Djibouti benefits from a number of niche attractions, including sandy beaches along the Red Sea, salt lakes, volcanic fields and popular underwater diving sites.” However, only about 10% of its tourism potential has been exploited, the embassy continued. “The underdevelopment of the sector is largely due to three factors: high-priced tickets from large tourism source markets, which is a result of limited international connectivity; regional instability; and a lack of facilities.” It added, “Despite the fact that the country’s high-potential tourist destinations are located outside of the capital, only Djibouti City has the infrastructure required to accommodate and cater to tourists.” (https://www.djiboutiembassyus.org/page/tourism)

Tourism presents one of the country’s top five investment opportunities, Africa.com reported, alongside real estate, salt production, education, and logistics and warehousing (https://www.africa.com/djibouti-top-5-opportunities-for-investment/). The locals welcome foreigners, the website stated, plus “The country is also home to internationally renowned scuba diving places in the north.” Regional security concerns have previously hampered tourism growth, the publication continued. “Djibouti’s touristic areas could use a heavy boost from investment in moderately priced, quality hotels as well as other touristic amenities (i.e., tour guides, moderately priced restaurants, etc.).”

Djibouti City features a number of upscale Western-style hotels and beach resorts, such as the Kempinski, Sheraton, and Acacias. Other hotels, such as the Capital, the Atlantic, and Ras Dika, are near the city’s Central Market and Jomoudi Mosque. To escape the republic’s hot, arid desert climate, travelers enjoy Djibouti Bawadi Mall, which includes retail chains, a family entertainment center, six movie theaters, and a food court. Top cultural sites include the Theater des Salines, the National Archives and Library, the presidential palace, Lagarde Park, and numerous examples of European colonial and African/Middle Eastern architecture.

Away from the capital, the country offers a variety of unique destinations for Raleigh area visitors, including active volcanoes, secluded islands, and forested mountain ranges. The port of Tadjoura, a ferry ride away from Djibouti City, is known for its whitewashed buildings, beaches, and Korijib Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Horn of Africa. Popular beaches include Siesta Beach, Khor Ambado, and Heron Beach (at or near Djibouti City), Le Sable Blanc (Tadjoura), and Red Sea Beach (near Obock). The republic has three national parks: Djibouti and Day Forest parks in the Gouda Mountains, and Yokoki, a former French military base. Djibouti National Park features more than 60 species of mammals, 455 types of fish, and 360 different birds. Another protected area is Lake Assal, a salt-producing crater lake at the top of the Great Rift Valley. The government has proposed protecting the Lake Assal area and the Ardoukoba volcano as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Djibouti Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and most other countries must obtain a visa to visit Djibouti. (Citizens of Singapore and holders of certain Chinese passports can enter Djibouti without a visa and stay for an unlimited period of time.) The country also requires that visitors provide proof of yellow fever vaccination (WHO yellow card) for passengers arriving from countries where yellow fever is prevalent. Residents of the Raleigh-Durham area can find recommendations for other vaccinations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for travelers to Djibouti at this CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/djibouti?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001#vaccines-and-medicines.

The primary requirement to obtain a visitor visa is holding a valid U.S. passport with at least two blank pages. Your passport must still be valid at least six months after you enter Djibouti. Visas are available for tourism, business, work, study, and other types of travel. You can obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) online; in person through the Djibouti embassy in Washington, D.C., or possibly upon arrival at Ambouli International Airport.

Option One: Apply Online for an Electronic Visa from Raleigh

Citizens of the United States and 13 other countries can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) to visit Djibouti through the government portal, https://www.evisa.gouv.dj/. Introduced in 2018, the e-Visa is a digital document that functions like a traditional visa. Upon approval by the government, applicants receive a visa by email which they print and present when boarding their plane and upon entering the country.

E-Visas are short-stay visas valid for up to three months. If you wish to stay longer, you will need to contract the local police office to extend your stay. Also, e-Visas only allow a single entry to the country for tourism, business, or family visit purposes. You must enter Djibouti within 90 days of your visa being issued.

The visa application requires the following information:

Copy of your passport’s main page with photo and personal information.
Color photo taken within the last six months, submitted in JPG or PNG format.
Proof of your return travel arrangements, such as photocopy of your airplane ticket or reservation confirmation.
Hotel reservation with details about where you will stay and how long.
Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Djibouti. International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

Business travelers from Raleigh need to provide a letter of invitation from a Djibouti organization or their own company. Those visiting friends and family will need to provide a letter of invitation from their host, plus a copy of the host’s ID card and passport.

The process for obtaining a Djibouti e-Visa is:

Complete the online application at https://www.evisa.gouv.dj/.
Upload copies of the required documentation listed above.
Pay visa fees online. The fees for an e-Visa are $12 for up to 14 days’ stay and $23 for a visa valid for up to 90 days. Fees are payable by MasterCard, Visa, or American Express.
Receive response. The turnaround time is typically two to four business days.
Print e-Visa. If approved, you will receive an email that contains your e-Visa. Print it out and present it along with your passport when traveling to and exiting from Djibouti.

Note that some applicants have encountered technical issues with the online platform. The U.S. State Department said recently, “The Djiboutian e-Visa site is still up and accepting applications, but we have received reports that applications do not go through successfully.” If you do not get a quick response, follow up by using the contact information in the website’s FAQ section.

Option Two: Apply Through the Djibouti Embassy or Consulate

Residents of Raleigh can also obtain a traditional visa through the Djibouti Embassy in Washington, D.C. Those planning to visit Djibouti for work, study, and diplomatic purposes must obtain an embassy-issued visa, as the e-Visa is only valid for tourism and business purposes. Use the form at https://www.djiboutiembassyus.org/sites/default/files/documents/Djibouti_Visa_Application_form.pdf.

You can visit the embassy in person or submit your application by mail. The required documentation is the same as for the e-Visa: completed form; copy of valid passport’s photo/information page; recent passport-size photo; and copy of your itinerary. Business visa applicants must also submit a company letter detailing the trip.

To apply in person at the embassy, you will need to present your application and supporting documentation to an embassy agent. The fees are $15 for the 15-day visa and $30 for the short-stay single entry visa (good for up to 90 days). You can pay your visa fee with cash, money order, or company check (no credit cards or personal checks). You can retrieve your passport and visa from the embassy after four business days. Consular hours for dropping off and picking up visa applications are Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can also mail your application to the embassy or use an agency such as Visa Supply to deliver and retrieve your application. Mail your passport, application, form of payment, and related documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti, 1156 15^th Street NW, Suite #515, Washington, D.C. 20005. You must also include a self-addressed stamped envelope or a pre-paid next-day delivery envelope for a service such as UPS or FedEx.

Option Three: Visa upon Arrival

When Djibouti introduced the e-Visa in 2018, it planned to phase out offering visitors the ability to obtain a visa upon arrival. Previously, travelers could present their passport at any airport or border crossing and receive a visa upon approval. However, it is unclear whether this option is still available. On the FAQs for the e-Visa, the Djibouti government states, “No visas will be issued at the airport or any other border point as of May 1, 2018.” However, the U.S. State Department’s current website on Djibouti states, “Visitors can apply for visas upon arrival. The fee is $23.” (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Djibouti.html) Other sources indicate you obtain a visa on arrival at Ambouli International Airport but not at any other entry point.

Considering the uncertainty around this option (plus the possibility you might be turned down for a visa on arrival), travelers are advised to obtain a visa in advance of departing for Djibouti to ensure they are able to enter the country. You can also check with the Washington, D.C. embassy at (202) 331-0270 to determine whether visas on arrival are currently being offered.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Djibouti. We also provide courier service to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C. Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Djibouti. Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

If you live in Raleigh or anywhere in the state of North Carolina and have difficulty applying for a Djibouti visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company. We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Djibouti visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.

We provide the following Djibouti visa services for our customers in Raleigh:

Djibouti Tourist Visa
Djibouti Business Visa
Djibouti Official Visa
Djibouti Diplomatic Visa
Djibouti Transit Visa
Djibouti Hotel Accommodations