Eritrea entry requirements for Canadian passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Visa (Government of Canada): Tourist visa required. Official visa text
Passport validity (Government of Canada): Valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eritrea. Official text
Official source: Government of Canada – Eritrea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Entry and exit requirements” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Whether Canadians need a visa for Eritrea and how long a Canadian passport must be valid, as published by the Government of Canada, quoted word for word with the date of the official page.
Other passports: British passport · Australian passport
Do Canadians need a visa for Eritrea?
In short: Tourist visa required.
Our one-line summary of the first official line below, which matches a wording we recognise. It applies to Canadian citizens; read the full official text, which may add conditions.
Official text, “Visas”:
Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required
Official visa: required
In-transit visa: required
All visas must be obtained prior to travel. Processing times can be long. Apply well in advance of your planned departure date.
Exit visa
Dual citizens who entered Eritrea with an Eritrean national identification card or an Eritrean passport must obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Office in Asmara before leaving the country. Exit visas may be denied or cause significant delays in travel plans, even for people who have entered Eritrea legally.
Visa information – Consulate General of Eritrea
Also in the official “Entry and exit requirements” section:
Permit for travel outside Asmara
All foreign nationals, including diplomats, employees of non-governmental organizations and employees of the United Nations, must obtain a permit for all travel beyond 25 km outside Asmara. Travel regulations are strictly enforced throughout Eritrea and there are numerous military checkpoints. Applications for permits are processed by the relevant ministry:
- Ministry of Tourism for tourists
- Ministry of Trade and Industry for business travellers
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomats and non-governmental organization employees
Foreign nationals living or working outside Asmara must also obtain a travel permit from the local regional administration office, known locally as “zoba”, to travel outside the area in which they live or work.
If you obtain permission to travel outside Asmara and you experience problems, Canadian officials could be limited in their capacity to provide consular assistance.
More from the official “Entry and exit requirements” section (other requirements)
Land border crossings
Eritrea’s land border crossings with Ethiopia and Djibouti are closed.
Official source: Government of Canada – Eritrea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Visas” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
How long must my Canadian passport be valid for Eritrea?
In short: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eritrea.
Our one-line summary of the official sentence below, which matches a wording we recognise. Your airline may apply stricter rules.
Official text, “Regular Canadian passport”:
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eritrea.
Official source: Government of Canada – Eritrea travel advice and advisories (travel.gc.ca), section “Regular Canadian passport” · page last updated 14 October 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026 · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
For Canadian passport holders. These rules are published by the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada) for Canadian citizens travelling on a regular Canadian passport. Before You Fly is an independent site: it is not a Government of Canada site and is not endorsed by the Government of Canada. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice. British passport? See the UK (FCDO) rules.
Read the full official travel advice for Eritrea (safety, health, local laws) before you travel.
Spotted a change? Tell us.
Canadian passport: all destinations · British passport rules · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status