Djibouti City — Djibouti is strategically located near some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, with access to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It serves as a key refuelling and trans-shipment centre and is the principal maritime port for imports from and exports to neighbouring Ethiopia.  

The Government of the Republic of Djibouti has set up a secure electronic online visa system (e-Visa) that will make it easier to travel to the country. 

Djibouti’s first e-Visa counter was launched at Djibouti International Airport on 7 April. This means visitors to the country can now apply for the visa in advance and get it on arrival, at the airport. 

The facility will ensure uniform access and approval of Djiboutian visas and facilitate full integration with immigration and border management systems. 

“The E-Visa will allow a more secure management of the migration, but also gives the possibility to the Republic of Djibouti to better facilitate the entry and exit on its territory through an electronic platform,” said Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti. 

The country’s new visa system has been developed through the Directorate General of the National Police with support by IOM and the Better Migration Management (BMM) programme. BMM is a regional, multi-year and multi-partner programme funded by the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), coordinated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). 

IOM is one of the main implementing partners alongside UNODC, GIZ, Expertise France, the Italian Department of Public Security, CIVIPOL and the British Council. Apart from Djibouti, BMM also covers Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.