Djibouti visa for US citizens: how to apply and requirements

Djibouti is a small country in the Horn of Africa, known for its rich history and diverse cultural heritage. It has been a significant point for major international shipping routes and a place where different cultures have blended.

A trip to Djibouti will leave you breathless. Its stunning mountains, arid deserts, pristine beaches along the Red Sea and its capital city with a mix of modern architecture and traditional markets are just some of the wonderful experiences to have in Djibouti.

If you are from the United States and want to travel to Djibouti, keep on reading this guide on visas, embassies, vaccines, currency, direct flights and more.

Do US citizens need a visa for Djibouti?

Yes, U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Djibouti. There are two basic options to obtain this permission to enter the country:

• Obtaining the visa at the airport of arrival in Djibouti (for stays of a maximum of 90 days per visit). However, that this option is not available for ordinary passports. If you have an ordinary passport, you will have to apply online.
• Applying for the visa online and have it approved before your trip. This visa will serve you both for transit and tourist visits of a maximum of 90 days.

The online visa came into use in early 2018, due to the growth of tourism and since then it has become the main way to obtain a visa for American citizens who want to enter Djibouti. You can always check our guide on different types of visas for Djibouti to make sure you select the most adequate for your situation.

Visa requirements for Djibouti for US citizens

To apply for the Djibouti visa online you will need some documents to travel to Djibouti:

• Passport with a minimum validity period of 6 months.
• Visa application form.
• Email address to receive the approved visa.
• Bank card to pay for the costs

How much does the Djibouti visa cost for US citizens?

There are two types of online visa to enter Djibouti. The short stay or transit visa (for stays between 1 and 14 days) that costs 41USD, and the long stay visa (for stays between 15 and 90 days) that costs 52USD. Both visas have a processing time of approximately 72 hours and are valid from the date of entry into the country.

Where is the Djibouti's embassy in the United States?

Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti

Address: 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20005

Phone: +1 202 331 0270 / +1 202 331 0265

Fax: +1 202 331 0302

Where is the United States' embassy in Djibouti?

U.S. Embassy Djibouti

Address: Lot 350-B Haramouss, B.P. 185

Phone: +253 21 45 30 00

Fax: +253 21 45 31 29

Are vaccines required to travel to Djibouti from the United States?

The Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travelers over one year old traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

There are no other mandatory vaccinations for travel to Djibouti. However, it is highly recommended to be vaccinated against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies.

In addition, depending on your case, some vaccinations that you should ask your doctor about are meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

What is the time difference between the United States and Djibouti?

Djibouti’s time zone is GMT+3. This means that it is 7 hours ahead of Washington DC’s time.

What is the currency of Djibouti and the exchange rate in the US dollar?

The Djiboutian franc (DJF) is the official currency of Djibouti, and 1 dollar is equivalent to approximately 180 Djiboutian francs.

The currency is divided into 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 20, 50, 100, 250 and 500 francs. There are banknotes of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs.

Are there direct flights from the United States to Djibouti?

There are currently no flights that travel directly from one country to another. However, some companies such as United, Ethiopian, Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines operate one or two-stop flights to Djibouti from various cities in the US, like Washington DC, New York, Chicago or Houston, generally making stops in European cities. The duration of the flights is around 20/25 hours, depending on the airport of origin the stopovers you are going to make.