Visa Application Requirements for Journalists & Film Crews
Journalists and Film Crews wishing to travel to Ethiopia must contact the Press Office at least15 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL on 0207 838 3883.
Please note that all journalists and film crews must apply for a business visa, which is given only prior to travel. For the application form, please click here.
In order to apply for a visa and permission to carry out their duties in Ethiopia, journalists, film crews and other media organisation members travelling to Ethiopia in a professional capacity must submit the following:
- A formal letter on letterhead, signed by a person authorised by the media organisation concerned. The letter should include the full name and contact details of the media organisation and the person who has signed the letter. It should also include the name(s) of the travelling journalist(s)/film crew and their nationalities and passport number.
- The letter should state the kind of report the correspondent intends to carry out and the places they will be visiting with dates and times.
- For film crews, the letter should indicate the name and contact details of their production company and the name of the company/corporation that will broadcast their film. The film crew’s names, nationalities and passport numbers should also be included in the application letter, as well as the purpose of the film, the title (working title), a script or synopsis of the film, where they plan to film with dates, and a statement of production costs. Film crews are strongly advised to engage a fixer whose name and contact details must also be included, along with the date they are leaving Ethiopia and flight details.
- Film crews must also submit two copies of their kit list, preferably with serial numbers.
- If a film crew plans to carry out filming or photography from a plane or helicopter, permission must be sought in advance from the Civil Aviation Authorities.
Permits
On arrival in Ethiopia, film crews can pick up their film permit at the Government Communications Affairs Office, Media Licensing Department with two recent passport size photographs of EACH crew member and the relevant fee to accompany the application. The cost of a film permit is a tiny percentage of the production costs.
Notes
Journalists travelling to Ethiopia are advised to come to the Embassy for a brief meeting with the Press Office, prior to their departure to Addis Ababa.
On arrival back from the trip all journalists/film crews are expected to send a copy of the report they have filed to the Press Office. This can be in the form of a news story, an article, film, etc.
If you are applying as a film crew from a charity, you will be required to submit a supporting letter from the client seeking your service, company profile and CVs of the crew, in addition to the list above.