Yemen requires most visitors to obtain a visa before entering the country, with a few exceptions for visa on arrival. Yemen’s visa policy was once more liberal, but due to ongoing conflicts and instability, restrictions have been tightened.
All our Yemen tours include a proper visa document, official and issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Minister’s Office for International Cooperation Department of the Republic of Yemen.
We need 20 days to process the Yemen visa. We will need a passport scan and a filled-up and signed application. Let me know if you’re ready to book, and I will send you the Yemen visa form to start processing your request. Travelers with Israeli passport stamps, visas, or other Israeli entrance records are denied entry to Yemen.
Who Needs a Visa to Enter Yemen?
- Visa Exemption: Nationals of Hong Kong (HKSAR passport holders) and individuals of Yemeni origin do not need a visa for short stays.
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Citizens of specific countries can obtain a visa upon arrival.
- Visa in Advance: Most foreign nationals must apply for a visa at a Yemeni embassy or consulate before traveling.
- Diplomatic or Special Passports: Holders of certain diplomatic or official passports can also obtain a visa on arrival or have visa-free access.
Visa Exemption
Citizens of Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) are exempt from a visa requirement for stays up to 30 days. Additionally, individuals of Yemeni origin who can provide proof, such as a Yemeni identification document or birth certificate, are exempt from obtaining a visa. This rule applies if they can establish their Yemeni origin through documents from their Yemeni father.
Visa on Arrival (VoA)
Yemen offers a visa on arrival (valid for up to 3 months) to citizens of the following countries:
- Algeria (1 month)
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Malaysia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- United Arab Emirates
This visa can be obtained at Sanaa International Airport and other entry points.
Visa for Non-Ordinary Passports
In addition to the visa on arrival for ordinary passport holders, certain diplomatic, official, or service passport holders from these countries are eligible for visa on arrival:
- Cuba (1 month)
- Czech Republic (1 month)
- Djibouti (1 month)
- Ethiopia (3 months)
- Hungary (3 months)
- Mauritania (1 month)
- Morocco (1 month)
- Pakistan (3 months)
- Turkey (1 month)
Diplomatic passport holders from Lebanon and those with VIP Palestinian Authority passports can stay in Yemen for an indefinite period without a visa.
Transit Without a Visa
Travelers who are transiting through a Yemeni airport do not need a visa if they meet the following conditions:
- They must stay in the international transit area of the airport.
- They must hold a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country.
- They must have the necessary documents for their next destination.
- The maximum transit time allowed is 24 hours.
Entry Restrictions and Special Requirements
- Prior Approval for Comoros Citizens: Citizens of Comoros must obtain prior approval from the Director of Immigration at Sanaa International Airport before entering Yemen.
- Restrictions on Nationals from Specific Countries: Citizens of Libya, Sudan, and Tunisia are required to start their journey from their home countries when traveling to Yemen. If they are arriving from another country, entry into Yemen will be denied. However, they may still transit through Yemen.
- Israeli Passport Holders: Visitors holding Israeli visas, entry stamps, or travel documents indicating a previous visit to Israel may be refused entry to Yemen.
Future Visa Developments
Yemen has expressed interest in implementing an electronic visa system to facilitate the visa application process in the future. However, due to ongoing conflict and political instability, the timeline for this development remains unclear.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Who is eligible for a visa on arrival in Yemen? Citizens of countries like Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and several others can obtain a visa on arrival for stays up to 3 months.
- Do Yemeni-origin individuals need a visa to enter Yemen? No, individuals of Yemeni origin do not need a visa if they can present proof of their Yemeni heritage through valid documents.
- Can I transit through Yemen without a visa? Yes, travelers can transit without a visa if they stay in the international transit area and have a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to another country.
- Are Israeli passport holders allowed to enter Yemen? No, visitors holding Israeli passports or having Israeli stamps in their passports may be denied entry into Yemen.
- Can diplomatic passport holders get a visa on arrival? Yes, holders of diplomatic, official, or service passports from certain countries, including Turkey, Morocco, and Czech Republic, can obtain a visa on arrival for varying durations.
- Will Yemen introduce an e-Visa system? Yemen has discussed plans to introduce an electronic visa system, but its implementation is pending due to the ongoing conflict.
