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Eritrea
Country Specific Information
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January 20, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Eritrea is a poor East African country, the capital of which is Asmara. Formerly a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea became
an independent country on May 24, 1993, following a 30-year struggle that culminated in an overwhelming referendum vote for
independence. Tourism facilities are very limited. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Eritrea for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Eritrea are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Eritrea
179 Alaa Street, PO Box 211, Asmara
Telephone: (291-1) 12-00-04
Facsimile: (291-1) 124-255 and (291-1) 127-584
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All travelers should have a passport and valid visa prior to arrival; visas are not available at the airport. Travelers
visiting Eritrea using a foreign passport do not need an exit visa, provided they leave before the expiration of their entrance
visa. Persons staying beyond the expiration date may be subject to fines or imprisonment, or be required to remain in Eritrea
for an extended period while their case is reviewed in court. All long-term residents regardless of citizenship must obtain
an exit visa prior to departure, unless they hold a difficult-to-obtain multiple entry visa. Upon entry and exit, visitors
must declare all foreign currency, and may be asked to declare electronic equipment such as cameras, computers, and video
equipment. Visitors must save all receipts for foreign exchange and present these upon departure to account for all foreign
currency spent in Eritrea. Failure to report foreign currency or meet customs requirements usually results in both a fine
and imprisonment. There is a $20 airport departure tax. With a valid local residence ID it is possible to pay in local currency,
otherwise payment must be made in U.S. dollars. Information about the airport tax and entry/exit requirements is available
from the Embassy of Eritrea, 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 319-1991; fax (202) 319-1304. Overseas, inquiries may
be made at the nearest Eritrean embassy or consulate.
U.S. citizens born in Eritrea, to Eritrean parents, or who in any other way appear to have Eritrean origins, are required
to register with the Immigration and Nationality office in Asmara within seven business days of their entry into the country.
The Eritrean government sometimes subjects U.S. citizens of Eritrean heritage to the same entry/exit requirements as Eritrean
citizens. See the “Special Circumstances” section below for more information about dual nationality.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet. Visit the Embassy of Eritrea's website for the most current visa information.
The Eritrean government screens incoming passengers for possible H1N1 exposure and illness. There have not been any reported cases of H1N1 in Eritrea, but this may change.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Eritrea. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Eritrea before you travel.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a border war from 1998-2000. United Nations peacekeepers patrolled the border until March 2008,
when Government of Eritrea diesel fuel restrictions resulted in the peacekeepers’ withdrawal. Both Eritrea and Ethiopia maintain
large military presences along the border and all border crossings into Ethiopia from Eritrea remain closed. U.S. citizens
are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and to register their presence in Eritrea with the
U.S. Embassy in Asmara.
Since April 2008, large numbers of Eritrean troops have been deployed along Eritrea’s border with Djibouti. U.S. citizens
are also strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea, including the port of Assab.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious problem throughout the country. There are reports of accidents and numerous
incidents where vehicles and people occasionally detonate mines. Many detonations occurred on relatively well-traveled roads
in and near the Gash Barka region of western Eritrea; subsequent investigations indicated that several mines were recently
laid. Vast areas of the country still have not been certified free of mines and unexploded ordnance left over from both the
30-year war for independence and the subsequent 1998-2000 conflict with Ethiopia. U.S. citizens should avoid walking alone
and hiking in riverbeds or areas that local government officials have not certified as safe.
Although Eritrea and Sudan have diplomatic relations, the procedures for crossing their common border are not clear and subject to change. Overland travel between the two countries is dangerous and ill-advised. Travelers crossing from Eritrea to Sudan north and west of the Keren-Barentu road risk becoming victims of banditry or insurgent activity. Several incidents were reported in 2008, apparently involving insurgents or criminals in this area. The U.S. Embassy also received reports of sporadic bombings of vehicles and government facilities in the Gash Barka region near Sudan in 2007 and 2008. If travel near the Eritrean-Sudanese border is essential, travelers should consult both the Eritrean authorities and the U.S. Embassy in advance. Foreign travelers who wish to visit any area outside of Asmara must apply at least ten days in advance for a travel permit from the Eritrean government.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: There has been a severe increase in crime in Asmara due to deteriorating economic conditions, and persistent food, water, and fuel shortages. Travelers should exercise vigilance in their personal security and take safety precautions regarding what valuables they carry and which areas they visit.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.
Persons violating Eritrean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Eritrea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: U.S. citizens should be aware that U.S. diplomatic personnel are subject to travel restrictions. The Government of Eritrea
requires resident diplomats to apply 10 days in advance for travel outside of Asmara city limits; often travel permission
is not granted. This restriction can delay or prevent the Embassy from providing emergency assistance to U.S. citizens outside
of Asmara.
The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Asmara has been closed for visa services since February 2007. It is open for
American Citizens Services in Eritrea, including reports of birth, passports, and notarial services.
Eritrea has complicated citizenship laws and does not recognize renunciation of Eritrean citizenship. Dual nationals who
enter the country on Eritrean travel documents are treated as Eritrean citizens, regardless of their other citizenship. U.S.
citizens born in Eritrea, or who otherwise are considered to have acquired Eritrean citizenship, may be subject to certain
obligations, including being drafted into national service, regardless of the documents they present at entry. (National
service is approximately six months of military training, followed by an often unspecified and open-ended number of years
in military or other government service.) In some cases, U.S. citizens of dual nationality and Eritrean Lawful Permanent
Residents of the U.S. have not been allowed to leave Eritrea as they have been drafted into national service.
U.S.-Eritrean dual nationals who enter the country on an Eritrean passport or national ID card must obtain an exit visa prior
to departure. The exit visa application process can significantly delay travel plans. Exit visas may be denied, even for
persons who entered Eritrea legally. Eritrean dual nationals are required to pay a 2% income tax on overseas earnings to
the Eritrean Government prior to being granted an exit visa. Additionally, Eritrean authorities sometimes do not allow Eritreans
who left the country after 1993 to depart Eritrea after visiting the country, even if they have a U.S. passport and a valid
Eritrean visa.
Dual nationals cannot obtain civil documents such as birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, educational
transcripts, property ownership or court records without proof of payment of the 2% income tax. The only exception is for
hardship purposes (students and those unable to work) and this must be stated in writing by an Eritrean Embassy abroad only
after registering there.
Persons of dual nationality are at risk of being arrested for any reason or no reason at all, and are assumed guilty until proven innocent. The Eritrean government does not recognize the U.S. citizenship of dual nationals. It will not inform the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of U.S. citizens, and does not allow Embassy officials to visit incarcerated U.S. citizens. When arrested, a person may be held for many days without ever being told the purpose of his or her incarceration. Conditions are harsh – those incarcerated may be held in very small quarters without access to restrooms, bedding, food or clean water.
Visitors are advised to exercise caution when taking photographs in Eritrea. Foreigners in Asmara have been harassed and
detained by local police and plain clothes security officials for taking photographs of street scenes in the city. No law
has been cited, but the justifications given have been that unmarked government buildings are in the background and/or that
the pictures are being taken illegally for commercial reasons.
All foreign nationals in Eritrea are required to apply for permits to travel outside of Asmara. Travel permits must be presented at all checkpoints. Checkpoints are found on major roads throughout Eritrea, but locations may change without notice. Applications for travel permits are available at the Ministry of Tourism located on Harnet Avenue.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Eritrea are extremely limited. Travelers must carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventative medicines because pharmaceuticals are in short supply. Food and water-borne illnesses are very common among travelers, so drink only bottled or purified water and eat foods that are cooked or peeled. Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in the lowlands of Eritrea, but Asmara is generally considered free of this disease.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Eritrea is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
The roads between major cities (Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Barentu, and Keren) are paved and in relatively good
condition. However, secondary roads and roads in remote areas are usually unpaved and in poor condition. U.S. citizens should
avoid traveling on these roads, especially at night. Bad weather can also make the condition of poor roads worse. If you
must take unpaved roads, check first with local government and village officials as new minefields continue to be discovered.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the countryside in many areas, occasionally causing injuries and deaths. Although
the UN conducted de-mining efforts until late 2007, evidence of new mines has been reported, particularly in areas near the
Ethiopian border. All areas that are not well traveled are potentially dangerous due to live mines, especially north and
west of Keren. There are also minefields near Massawa, Ghinda, Agordat, Barentu, south of Tessenae, Nakfa, Adi Keih, Arezza,
Dekemhare, and in a roughly 40-kilometer wide region just west of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border between the Setit and Mereb
Rivers.
Many Eritreans use inexpensive public transportation, especially bus service. Travelers should avoid taking buses due to extreme over-crowding. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Asmara, but usually carry multiple passengers along pre-defined routes. If an empty taxi is available, a customer may request a "contract" taxi, which accepts no additional passengers, for a higher fixed price. Drivers should be aware of heavy and erratic pedestrian, livestock, and bicycle traffic obstructing vehicle flow. Children and the elderly sometimes wander into the path of moving traffic, as do slow, motorized carts. Elderly or disabled people usually drive these carts and do not always yield to faster moving traffic.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Eritrea, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Eritrea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Eritrea dated November 26, 2008 to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Crime, and Special Circumstances.
