Latest Covid-19 Information from U.S. Embassy in Djibouti

Beginning December 6, 2021, all airline passengers visiting the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must produce a negative COVID-19 virus test performed within one calendar day of the flight. Alternatively, travellers entering the United States may show proof of recovery from COVID-19 from a licensed health care provider within the last 90 days.

Country-Specific Information:

As of March 12, authorities in Djibouti had documented 15,564 COVID-19 infections and 186 fatalities.

Restaurants, nightclubs, and a movie theatre are currently open at Bawadi Mall.

Masks are required inside all buildings.

As of November 11, 2021, individuals must get a document proving a negative PCR COVID test within 72 hours of boarding any aircraft bound for Djibouti. The certificate must be issued at least 120 hours before their arrival in Djibouti.

COVID-19 Testing and Assessment

Are PCR and/or antigen tests available to US citizens in Djibouti? Yes

If this is the case, are test results always available within 72 hours? Yes

The Djiboutian government administers COVID-19 exams at King Fahd University and has a pop-up facility near the Treasury. Although the exam is free, a negative COVID-19 test certificate costs 5,000 Fdj ($30). You can also pay 5,000 Fdj to have a test performed in your home. Phone calls are made to communicate test results.

Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on a very limited basis and will only be considered if the nation of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity. To provide information in support of an exception, send an email to DjiboutiACS@state.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Specifications:

Has the government of Djibouti approved the use of a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes

Is it possible for Americans to be immunized in Djibouti?

What vaccines are available in Djibouti? Djibouti currently has the supply from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinovac, Sputnik V, and Johnson & Johnson.

Vaccination is presently available to everyone aged 18 and over. Vaccinations are now available at the Palais du Peuple. To be vaccinated, eligible persons must present identification at a vaccination location, such as a passport or a valid residence card.

You are recommended to visit the FDA's website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States.

The US government has no intentions to provide COVID-19 vaccines to individual US citizens living abroad. Please stay informed about host-country developments and COVID-19 immunisation needs.

Also, please visit the Djiboutian Ministry of Health and the Government of Djibouti's COVID-19 information website for further information.

Requirement for Entering and Exiting the Country:

Can citizens of the United States enter? Yes, if you receive an authorized e-Visa ahead of time.

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes, travellers are put to the test when they arrive.

Is health screening available at airports and other points of entry? Yes.

All visitors must present a negative COVID test certificate within 72 hours before boarding any flight to Djibouti and no later than 120 hours before arrival; all visitors will be tested upon arrival and must have a negative result to enter.

Travellers coming to Djibouti by air, sea, or land must be screened for COVID-19 at ports of entry, and the test must be negative for entrance.

A minimally invasive saliva test is used to screen all passengers arriving at Ambouli International Airport for COVID-19. Infected travellers are either isolated and treated at a local hospital or quarantined at their hotel. Travellers must pay 5000 Fdj ($30) to cover the cost of the COVID-19 saliva test.

Visitors to Djibouti must wear protective masks when leaving or entering the country, keep a physical distance of one metre, if possible, at all times, and carry a hydro-alcoholic gel with them at all times.

If a substantial number of passengers on a given flight test positive for COVID-19, the Djiboutian authorities may require all passengers to take a second COVID-19 nose swab test.

Some destinations outside of Djibouti require a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Airlines may require customers to present a negative COVID-19 test certificate before boarding a flight to some destinations. Please contact your airline for further information.

Movement Restrictions:

Here are some of the answers to the common questions most often asked by tourists and travellers during their visit here: 

Is there an enforced curfew? No.

Are there any limits on intercity or interstate travel? No.

Quarantine Information:

While the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing, the answer to the question that most American tourists have is provided below.

Is it mandatory for Americans to quarantine? No, unless they have a positive COVID-19 test result.

Alternative modes of transportation:

What are the flight schedules for commercial flights? 

Is there public transportation? Train services between Djibouti and Addis Ababa continue to be suspended.

Consular Assistance:

What ACS services are offered? Any normal ACS services can be handled by the US Embassy in Djibouti. Please contact DjiboutiACS@state.gov for assistance.

What types of visa services are available? Regular immigrant visas and a limited number of non-immigrant visas are issued by the US Embassy in Djibouti.

Immigration Visa

The US Embassy is now accepting cases from NVC and KCC in all immigrant visa categories.

Please keep in mind that there is a significant backlog and that wait times are longer than usual as a result of COVID-19 closures and delays. Getting an appointment with the Djibouti National Visa Centre may take many months longer than usual.

Due to limited capacity and a significant backlog, we are unable to accept transfer requests for visa applications from individuals who are not physically present in our consular districts of Djibouti, Yemen, and Northern Somalia.

Due to the backlog, cases transferred from other posts are currently scheduled for 2-3 months from the date of transfer. Your case may take some time to be processed in Djibouti.

Non-Immigrant Visas

The US Embassy currently has very few nonimmigrant visa appointments available.

We cannot accept visa applications from anyone who is not physically present in Djibouti, Yemen, or Northern Somalia.

The consular section handles diplomatic visas, student/exchange visiting visas, and petition-based job visas. An appointment requires a 90-day wait.

There are very few appointments available at the US Embassy for ordinary non-immigrant visas. The delay exceeds 180 days.

The US Embassy is dealing with urgent humanitarian situations. Please do contact ConsularDjibouti@state.gov if you believe you are eligible.

DNA testing appointments

The US Embassy has initiated limited DNA collection on behalf of USCIS. There is a significant backlog for USCIS DNA collection; the current wait time is more than a year.