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Djibouti Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

US citizens can get a visa on arrival at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport — fee is USD 90 for a single-entry 31-day tourist visa, payable in cash USD or EUR.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, with at least one blank page
  • Completed arrival/landing card (handed out on the plane or at the immigration desk)
  • Proof of onward/return ticket
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
  • Passport-size photo (2x2 in, white background) — recommended but not always enforced
  • No biometrics collected on arrival for the visa itself, though fingerprints/photo may be taken at the immigration counter
  • Travel health insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended given limited medical facilities

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival: single entry, valid 31 days, fee USD 90
  • Business visa on arrival: single entry, 31 days, fee USD 90, requires an invitation letter from a Djiboutian company
  • Multiple-entry visa: must be arranged in advance through the Djiboutian embassy/consulate, not available on arrival
  • Transit visa: issued free for transit under 24 hours staying in the airport area

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport and the main land border posts
  • Join the visa counter line before immigration, fill out the arrival form, present your passport and pay the fee in cash (USD or EUR; cards usually not accepted)
  • Processing takes 10-20 minutes depending on how busy the counter is
  • You receive a passport sticker/stamp valid for 31 days from entry
  • Queues can be long when multiple flights land close together — arrive prepared to wait

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fee: USD 90 (no separate service fee at the airport)
  • No VFS/BLS involved — this route is airport/border only
  • Total cost: USD 90 flat
  • Processing time: 10-20 minutes at the counter, no advance processing needed
  • No official express option, but having exact change in USD speeds things up

Tips for United States travelers

  • Bring exact USD cash — officers often cannot make change for large bills
  • Print your return ticket and hotel confirmation; officers sometimes ask to see them even though they're not always required
  • Common holdup: missing onward travel proof — carry a printed itinerary as backup
  • If you need a multiple-entry visa for business travel, apply at the Djiboutian embassy in Washington DC before you fly, since multi-entry isn't issued on arrival
  • The 31-day visa can be extended at the Direction de la Sécurité Publique in Djibouti City if you need more time

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United States passport holders

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.