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Last Updated:
September 29, 2007 10:32
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 21:15 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES The level of Travel Warning in this report has not changed. Sections 1 and 2 of this Travel Report have been updated. See our Current Issues page for more information on flooding in Ethiopia. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor the global polio situation, including recent reports of human polio infection in Ethiopia. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Ethiopia
Regional Warning
You are advised against all travel to the border area with Regional Warning
You are advised against non-essential travel to the region along the border with Kenya where armed clashes involving Ethiopian and Kenyan security forces periodically raise tensions and have caused hundreds of civilians to flee their homes. Cases of cross-border banditry related to the drought in the region have increased. Armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several areas near the border with OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. It is recommended that you monitor local developments and avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Canadians should also carry photo ID (preferably their passport) with them at all times and cooperate fully with law enforcement officials. It is also recommended that speaking in public areas about topics regarding the current political situation be avoided. In rural areas (particularly in the regions of Oromiya and Amhara), low level unrest continues to occur with sporadic clashes, especially between students and security forces. Skirmishes have occurred between military units and forces from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in eastern and southern Since 2003, there have been periodic instances of ethnic unrest, violent demonstrations, and military operations in the Gambella region. Road banditry is common. During the last few years small bombings have occurred in The risk of terrorist attacks remains high in In BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Ethiopian authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on August 30, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Ethiopia, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Ethiopia. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. However, lengthy delays have been known to occur. You should therefore acquire a visa in advance. If you arrive by any land border, you must already be in possession of a valid visa or you risk being denied entry. Visa expiry dates should be checked carefully because Ethiopian immigration authorities have become very strict in its treatment of people who overstay their visas. Fees must be paid and in some instances court appearances and/or jail time may be ordered. Tourist Visa : Required Business Visa : Required Student Visa : Required Transit Visa : Required Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. A domestic departure tax must be paid at the airport when travelling by air within Ethiopia. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Ethiopia - ADDIS ABABA, Embassy of Canada Address: Old Airport Area, Nefas Silk Lafto Sub City, Kebele 04, House No.122, Addis Ababa Postal Address: P.O. Box 1130, Addis Ababa, Tel.: 251 (0) 11-371-3022 Fax: 251 (0) 11-371-3033 E-Mail: addis@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.ethiopia.gc.ca Office hours are Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. All drugs are illegal except khat, a local stimulant. Khat is illegal in Canada. It is illegal to carry a firearm in Ethiopia. Homosexual activity is illegal. Permits are required to export antiques or animal skins. The export of antique religious artifacts, including Ethiopian crosses, requires a letter of authorization from an official of the National Museum in Addis Ababa. Laptop computers and video equipment must be declared upon arrival and departure. Tape recorders require special customs permits. Canadians should contact the Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa (see below) for specific information regarding customs requirements. The Ethiopian Highlands are predominantly Orthodox Christian, where there is fasting each Wednesday and Friday, and during Lent. Only vegetarian dishes are available during this period (except in large hotels). The Julian calendar is used. Ethiopia has its own way of telling time, so care should be taken with time. Always obtain permission from religious authorities before visiting churches. It is strictly prohibited to photograph military installations, police and military personnel, industrial facilities, and government buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams, and airfields. Never stop near a restricted area; it is extremely dangerous to do so. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Roads are poorly lit and mostly unpaved. Highway robberies by armed bandits are increasing. Excessive speeds, local driving habits, pedestrians, roaming animals, and poorly maintained and broken-down vehicles pose hazards. Overland travel should be undertaken during daylight hours only. Periodic fuel shortages can disrupt road travel. Overland travel to the areas bordering Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan is generally unsafe. Telecommunications are not reliable. Banditry, including armed robbery and carjacking, is common. Landmines remain a hazard, particularly in the former conflict zones of northern Ethiopia and near the areas bordering Sudan and Somalia. A local driver's licence is required to drive in Ethiopia. Travellers must present their valid Canadian driver's licence or their International Driving Permit (IDP) to obtain one. Travel by train is not recommended due to frequent acts of sabotage, bombings and derailment. Travellers should contact the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa (see section 5 above) or local authorities for the latest security information. The currency is the birr (ETB). Visitors must declare foreign currencies upon arrival and may be required to present this declaration when applying for an exit visa. Penalties for exchanging money on the black market range from fines to imprisonment. Official exchange rates are close to black market rates. Credit cards are not widely accepted except in large hotels, travel agencies, and a few shops and restaurants in Addis Ababa. You are advised to take hard-currency cash or traveller's cheques to Ethiopia. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The rainy season extends from June to September. Some roads may become impassable during this period due to flooding. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Ethiopia is located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa in the event of an emergency (see section 5 above). BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Health facilities and medical supplies are extremely limited in Addis Ababa and completely inadequate outside the capital. Physicians are generally well trained, but hospital resources remain a constant problem. Emergency assistance is limited. You should be cautious about water-borne diseases. As HIV/AIDS infection rate is high, you should also be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids. The country is mountainous and high altitudes may cause health problems, including shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and inability to sleep. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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