The Ethiopian Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines, has finalised preparations for the commencement of the initial phase of an e-visa service for international visitors to Ethiopia.
A statement issued in Accra by Mrs Hanna Atnafu, the Manager of Corporate Communications, Ethiopian Airlines, said the service took effect from June 12, 2017.
The e-visa is processed and issued online on a single web-page where applicants apply, pay and secure their entry visa online.
The statement said once the online application was approved, applicants would receive an email authorising them to travel to Ethiopia and they would get their passports stamped with the visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa.
Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “Ethiopia, the oldest independent civilisation in Africa and one of the oldest in the world, is endowed with historical places, natural beauty, colourful and diverse cultural activities and various endemic wild animals which are of great interest to international tourists.”
He said the country had, however, not made best use of those natural resources to attract large numbers of tourists and so the project was part of a new national initiative to transform the tourism sector in the country.
“The full commencement of the online visa application and issuance system will promote tourism, trade and investment to the country,” he said.
He said it would save time, energy and cost for travellers to Ethiopia in addition to the simplicity and convenience that it facilitates, with direct flights to and from more than 95 destinations from all corners of the world operated by the most modern airplanes.
The CEO said; “We will continue to make travel to Ethiopia dependable, easy, convenient and affordable and will take this opportunity to thank our IT team and our colleagues at the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs for the commendable collaboration and a job well done.”
Mr Gebreyohannes Teklu, the Director of Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs, said: “We are glad that we have been working together with Ethiopian Airlines for the effective implementation of e-visa facilities at Bole International Airport. Now international visitors to Ethiopia from countries provisioned for visa upon arrival will make use of this service. Moreover, we have set up separate counters to process the visas of travelers under electronic travel authorisation.”
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(Via: Ghana/Accra News)
