what is djibouti travel rules

Djibouti restricts travel to and from the country, imposing a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Djibouti's borders remain closed to non-resident foreign nationals. Arriving passengers will be subjected to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense in a hotel approved by the Djiboutian authorities, or in a hotel owned by the passenger. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be quarantined at a government facility until cleared by health authorities and must pay for their medical treatment. All travelers arriving in Djibouti will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. Here in this blog, we have described the Djibouti Travel Restrictions.

What are the visa restrictions?

The Djibouti visa restrictions are pretty straightforward. Certain countries, including the US, can obtain a visa on arrival. This is good news for those who need to travel on short notice. If you're from one of the countries not included in the visa on arrival policy. If you want to come back to Djibouti for another visit, you'll need to apply for a single entry visa before your trip.

It's important to note that travelers from eligible countries can stay for up to 3 months without a visa and those visiting to work or study will need a visa regardless of their nationality. Longer stays are possible but require special permission from the government.

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What are the Quarantine rules for domestic travelers?

Djibouti is an extremely hospitable country, so you can expect to be welcomed with open arms when you arrive. Suppose you're coming from a country that has diplomatic relations with Djibouti. In that case, the process should be fairly straightforward—just bring your passport and apply for a visa at the immigration office at the airport before leaving the airplane. The fee and length of stay are determined on a case-by-case basis by the immigration officials, but it's in their power to grant visas lasting up to two months. If you've already applied for one, they may give you an extension upon arrival.

In case, if you're visiting from another country. The entry requirements depend on where your passport was issued. Some passport holders from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Djibouti may need a letter of invitation from their sponsor or host and you'll need to get this letter in advance of your arrival, as it cannot be obtained at the airport or any other port of entry into Djibouti.

However, if you're from Djibouti, you don't need to quarantine when you get to your final destination. Within the country of Djibouti, there are no restrictions for travelers. This means that if you travel from New York City to Chicago, you won't need to quarantine when you arrive in Chicago. But recently, there are no federal rules about quarantine for domestic travel. You may have to quarantine if local authorities ask you to do so. It's also possible that airlines or airports will ask you to do so. Airlines may also require a negative result from a COVID-19 test before they allow you to board.

What are the travel restrictions for the visitors?

Djibouti's borders are closed to non-residents. Citizens and residents of Djibouti are allowed to travel abroad. Travelers are subject to medical screening on arrival and may be subject to quarantine for 14 days. All travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before travel. If the results are not available before departure, travelers will be tested on arrival and quarantined until the results are available.

Djibouti has introduced a handful of measures to control the spread of Covid-19. As of July 1st, all arriving passengers must present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure. If a passenger cannot present such proof, they will be tested upon arrival and held in quarantine until the results are received. 

If tested positive for Covid-19 must submit to medical isolation until it is safe for them to return home. The government has stated that the cost of quarantine and medical care will be covered by travelers' insurance providers, but if they do not have such coverage, they will have to foot the bill themselves.

What are the COVID-19 testing requirements to travel to Djibouti?

As of October 2020, you are required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. The test results must be in English or French. You will be asked to show the test results to immigration officials upon arrival at Djibouti International Airport. 

But, if you are not able to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, you will be required to take one at the airport upon arrival, and pay for it out of pocket; this is approximately USD 100. If your test is positive, you will be required to self-quarantine either in your hotel room or a quarantine facility at your own expense for 14 days.

You must hold onto your COVID-19 test result throughout your trip, as you may be asked to present it again by immigration officials before departure from Djibouti International Airport.

READ ALSO: DJIBOUTI VISA INFORMATION

Conclusion

Djibouti is a developing country, mainly dominated by the desert. Travel can be quite dangerous in some parts of Djibouti. It should be noted that travel outside of urban areas should be limited when possible. 

The high crime rate and extreme poverty found in many urban areas of Djibouti make it a dangerous place to travel to. In addition, the landlocked nature of Djibouti makes it difficult for travelers to get around. 

Travelers are recommended to travel to Djibouti's capital city, Djibouti City, as well as the port city of Tadjoura. Outside of these cities, there are few roads and few hotels. The main highway is the "N2" (the "N1" no longer exists), which runs from Djibouti City down to the port city of Tadjoura. There are small towns along this road, but no international airports or major cities along the N2. It is recommended that you book your trip at least two months in advance if you plan on traveling outside of Djibouti City.

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