Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. General guidance only; not affiliated with any government or visa agency. Verify fees and rules with Djibouti immigration authorities before applying.
The Djibouti government does not issue eVisa refunds regardless of application outcome. A Djibouti eVisa refund request to the government cannot succeed: processing fees (USD 12.00/23.00) are non-refundable. Third-party agency fees may be recoverable via chargeback. UK applicants who paid scam websites should report to Action Fraud and dispute charges immediately.
The Djibouti government does not offer refunds for eVisa applications: visa fees are non-refundable regardless of whether the application is approved, rejected, or delayed. If you paid through a third-party agency, contact them directly or dispute the charge via your UK credit card provider using chargeback or Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Always verify that you are using the correct government portal before submitting any payment.
Does Djibouti Offer eVisa Refunds?
The Djibouti eVisa refund request is not a process the Government of Djibouti supports. Government visa fees of USD 12.00 (14-day) and USD 23.00 (90-day) are non-refundable upon submission, regardless of whether the application is approved, rejected, or delayed.
Why eVisa Fees Are Non-Refundable
Administrative costs are incurred at submission. Guinea’s portal (paf.gov.gn) states “amount is kept even if denied,” and India’s (indianvisaonline.gov.in) confirms “non-refundable once submitted.”
Refund Policies Across African & Asian eVisa Systems
| Country | Government Fee | Refundable? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Djibouti | USD 12-23 | No | evisa.gouv.dj, flydubai.com, visahq.com |
| Guinea | USD 50-100 | No | paf.gov.gn |
| India | Varies | No | indianvisaonline.gov.in |
Third-party agencies charge separate service fees, for example €50.00 via netafri.com on top of the government visa fee, which may be recoverable directly from the agency.
When Can You Legitimately Request a Refund?
A Djibouti eVisa refund request cannot recover the government visa fee (USD 12.00 or USD 23.00), as these amounts are non-refundable upon submission. However, third-party agency service fees and duplicate payments may be refunded or disputed via card chargeback within the 120-day filing window for Visa and Mastercard.
| Scenario | Gov Fee Recoverable? | Agency Fee Recoverable? | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application rejected by authorities | No | Depends on agency T&Cs | Reapply with corrected documents; chargeback for agency fee if applicable |
| Duplicate payment submitted | No (dispute with payment processor) | Yes – contact agency | Contact payment processor; provide duplicate transaction evidence |
| Cancelled before processing | No | Agency-dependent | Contact agency; chargeback if unresponsive |
| Delayed beyond 3-7 business days | No | Yes – service not delivered within promise | Escalate to agency; chargeback after reasonable wait |
| Paid to fraudulent/scam website | N/A | N/A | Chargeback / Section 75; report to Action Fraud + NCSC |
| Biometrics not submitted (VFS pathway) | N/A (VFS-specific) | Yes – per VFS Global policy | Log into VFS account or raise manual refund request form |
Processing Time for Refund-Related Enquiries
Standard Djibouti eVisa processing takes 3-7 business days (Sunday-Thursday in Djibouti); expedited processing is available within 24 hours. Agency refunds typically resolve within 5-30 business days. Chargeback resolution takes 4-8 weeks. Section 75 claims vary, but a formal response is expected within 8 weeks. A Djibouti eVisa refund request through VFS Global is only eligible if biometrics have not been submitted.
How to Submit a Djibouti eVisa Refund Request
Identify whether your payment went to the government portal or a third-party agency, then contact that entity directly with your transaction ID.
Determine the payee
Check your bank statement: a charge from the government portal means the visa application fee is non-refundable; a third-party agency charge may be recoverable depending on that agency’s terms.
Gather documentation
Collect your application reference number, payment receipt, transaction ID, and any rejection or delay notification received from the immigration authority.
Contact the relevant entity
For government-portal payments, email [email protected]. For agency payments, use the agency’s customer service channels directly.
Submit your Djibouti eVisa refund request
Include transaction ID, reason, and evidence. Request itemised receipt separating government fee (USD 12-23) from agency charge (e.g., €50.00). No breakdown = red flag.
Track the outcome
Agency refunds typically resolve within 5-30 business days; if the entity is unresponsive, escalate via chargeback through your UK card provider.
Understanding Visa Fees: Government Cost vs. Agency Markup
| Fee Component | Amount | Who Receives | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Djibouti government visa fee (14-day) | USD 12.00 | Government of Djibouti | No |
| Djibouti government visa fee (90-day) | USD 23.00 | Government of Djibouti | No |
| Agency service fee (example: netafri.com) | €50.00 | Third-party agency | Agency-dependent; contact directly |
| VisaHQ service fee | Not publicly disclosed | Third-party agency | “No hidden fees” claim; contact directly |
How to Identify and Avoid Djibouti eVisa Scams
The legitimate Djibouti eVisa portal uses the .gouv.dj domain; any .com, .org, or hyphenated variant is a third-party agency or potential scam site. The Djibouti eVisa refund request process becomes significantly riskier when applicants unknowingly use a fraudulent website.
Legitimate vs. Fake: What to Compare
| Check | Legitimate Site | Fake / Scam Site |
|---|---|---|
| Domain ending | .gouv.dj | .com, .org, .net, hyphenated variants (e.g., djibouti-evisa.com, evisa-djibouti.org, djiboutivisacentre.net) |
| SSL padlock | Valid, matches domain | Missing or mismatched |
| Fees disclosed | Government fee clearly stated (USD 12-23) | Hidden total or inflated lump sum |
| Reviews online | Verifiable (e.g., VisaHQ: 4.4/5, 4,190 reviews on Reviews.io) | No reviews, fake testimonials |
| Payment method | Card-only on .gouv.dj portal | Requests for Western Union, MoneyGram, or cryptocurrency |
| Company registration | Registration number displayed | No registration details |
Common Phishing Tactics
- Wire transfer requests: Fake emails requesting Western Union or MoneyGram for fictitious “processing fees.” Legitimate payments are card-only on .gouv.dj.
- Phishing portals: Fake websites harvesting passport data during fake application.
- WhatsApp agents: Unsolicited messages offering expedited processing.
- Malware PDFs: Fake approval attachments containing malware.
- Urgency language: Emails stating “Pay within 24 hours or visa cancelled” indicate phishing.
What to Do If You Gave Personal Data to a Fake Visa Site
Notify the HM Passport Office if passport data was compromised. Place fraud alerts with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Consider a CIFAS marker for enhanced identity fraud protection. Monitor bank statements and change passwords on accounts linked to the email used for the application.
UK Consumer Rights and Reporting Fraud
UK credit card payments over £100 are protected under Section 75; all card payments qualify for chargeback within 120 days. A Djibouti eVisa refund request for scam-site payments must be pursued through your UK card provider.
Chargeback and Section 75 Protection
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 covers credit card purchases over £100, with a filing window of up to 6 years. Visa/Mastercard chargeback applies to all card payments within a 120-day window, with typical resolution taking 4-8 weeks. If paid to a scam site, pursue your Djibouti eVisa refund request via chargeback or Section 75, with evidence of non-delivery and scam site screenshots. Wire transfers, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency payments have no chargeback protection.
Reporting Scam Visa Websites in the UK
Report fraudulent visa portals to the National Cyber Security Centre at report.ncsc.gov.uk and to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk to obtain a crime reference number useful as chargeback evidence.
What to Do If Your Djibouti eVisa Is Rejected
A Djibouti eVisa refund request will not succeed after rejection, as government fees are non-refundable, but UK nationals can reapply after rejection or obtain a Visa on Arrival at Ambouli Airport.
Check the rejection reason
Via the portal or email notification to identify correctable errors.
Reapply with corrected documents
Your passport must have at least 6 months validity from your arrival date, and standard processing takes 3-7 business days (Sunday-Thursday in Djibouti).
Apply through the Djibouti embassy in London
If the eVisa system remains unresponsive or repeated applications fail.
Consider Visa on Arrival
At Ambouli International Airport, available for UK nationals. Confirm current eligibility before travel.
Recover agency fees via chargeback
If a third-party agency failed to deliver the Djibouti eVisa service; the government fee (USD 12.00-23.00) remains non-refundable.
Djibouti eVisa Refund Request FAQ
Can I get a refund if my Djibouti eVisa application is rejected?
No. The government does not refund rejected eVisa fees (USD 12-23). Agency service fees may be recoverable via chargeback.
How long does a Djibouti eVisa refund take to process?
Agency refunds: 5-30 business days. Chargeback: 4-8 weeks. Section 75 formal response: within 8 weeks.
What is the government website for the Djibouti eVisa application?
The Djibouti government eVisa portal uses the .gouv.dj domain. Any site not ending in .gouv.dj is a third-party agency or potential scam site.
How do I report a fake Djibouti eVisa website in the UK?
Report to the NCSC at report.ncsc.gov.uk and Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
What should I do if I paid a scam visa website with my UK credit card?
Contact your card issuer immediately to initiate a chargeback. If the payment was over £100, you may also have protections under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. Document all evidence including screenshots, emails, and transaction receipts for your claim.
Is Visa on Arrival available for UK citizens travelling to Djibouti?
Yes. UK nationals can obtain a Visa on Arrival in Djibouti. Confirm current eligibility with the Djibouti embassy before travelling.
Can I dispute a duplicate payment for my Djibouti eVisa?
Yes. Contact the payment processor or third-party agency first to request a reversal. If the agency is unresponsive, initiate a chargeback through your bank or card provider with evidence of the duplicate transaction.
How do I know if a Djibouti eVisa agency is legitimate?
Check for a verifiable company registration number, reviews on Trustpilot or Google, transparent fee breakdowns separating government fees from agency markups, and a valid SSL certificate.
What personal data should I protect when applying for a Djibouti eVisa?
Your passport number, full name, date of birth, photograph, travel itinerary, and payment card details. Only enter this data on verified .gouv.dj domains. If compromised, notify HM Passport Office and place a fraud alert with credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
How we verified this: On 9 September 2026 we checked the government eVisa portal at evisa.gouv.dj, the Djibouti embassy in London, and Action Fraud / NCSC guidance. The portal confirms processing fees are non-refundable once submitted.
Sources: evisa.gouv.dj, paf.gov.gn, indianvisaonline.gov.in, actionfraud.police.uk, report.ncsc.gov.uk (all accessed 9 Sep 2026).
