Eritrea at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | Full: most visas suspended |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Asmara no longer offers routine visa services; nonimmigrant applicants are directed to Kampala, Uganda (where visa operations are paused for Ebola) and immigrant visas to Nairobi, Kenya. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Eritrea right now
- Under Proclamation 10998 (in effect as of October 2026), U.S. visa issuance to Eritrean nationals is fully suspended for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, including spouses and children of U.S. citizens, with only narrow exceptions such as dual nationals traveling on another passport.
- Eritrea was on the State Department's January 2026 immigrant-visa pause for 75 countries, which a federal court set aside in August 2026 while the government's appeal is pending.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Eritrea
AsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRefugee/asylee familyBring your spouse and children to join you (Form I-730)Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseImmigration waiversForgiveness for unlawful presence, past removal and other barsRemoval defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration court
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Eritrea visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Eritrea is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Eritrea get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Eritrea nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Eritrea and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Eritrea enter the green card lottery?
Eritrea was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Eritrea have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Asmara no longer offers routine visa services; nonimmigrant applicants are directed to Kampala, Uganda (where visa operations are paused for Ebola) and immigrant visas to Nairobi, Kenya.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Eritrea?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Africa
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.