Yemen uses the Yemeni rial, abbreviated YER or YR. The Central Bank of Yemen issues currency in both banknotes and coins. As of 2023, the country operates with two competing central banks — one in Sana'a controlled by Ansar Allah authorities and one in Aden aligned with the internationally recognized government. This division has created parallel exchange rates that differ significantly between northern and southern regions.
The official exchange rate set by the Aden-based Central Bank stood around 1,300 YER per US dollar in early 2024, while rates in Sana'a-controlled areas reached approximately 530 YER per dollar. This disparity means identical goods carry vastly different rial prices depending on location. Cash dominates all transactions. Credit cards function in extremely limited circumstances, primarily at a handful of hotels in Aden and Sana'a that cater to international organizations. ATMs exist in major cities but frequently lack cash or connection to international networks.
Foreign currency exchange occurs through licensed exchange houses called *saraafa* and informal money changers. US dollars command the strongest position, followed by Saudi riyals and Emirati dirhams. Banks open Saturday through Thursday, typically from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Exchange houses maintain longer hours but close Friday. Carrying cash in small denominations proves essential because shopkeepers and taxi drivers rarely hold sufficient change for large bills.
The economic collapse since 2015 has rendered most Yemenis reliant on cash economies. Mobile money services like *Aman* and *Y-Cash* operate in some areas, allowing balance transfers via phone, but international visitors cannot access these systems without local banking relationships. Civil servant salaries in northern areas have gone unpaid for years while southern regions experience irregular payment schedules. This means the currency's purchasing power fluctuates not just by location but by the timing of salary disbursements.
Yemen requires visas for citizens of nearly all countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs in Sana'a and its parallel institution in Aden both issue visas, but each authority recognizes only its own documents. The Aden-based government maintains embassies in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and a limited number of other countries where applications can be submitted. The Sana'a authorities issue visas through their own diplomatic channels, though most countries do not recognize these missions.
Tourist visas officially exist but approval rates remain low. Most foreign nationals enter on business visas sponsored by local companies or organizations, or on journalist visas that require documentation from recognized media outlets. The application process demands a formal invitation letter from a Yemeni sponsor, passport copies, photographs, and completed forms. Processing times stretch from two weeks to several months depending on nationality and sponsoring entity.
Passports must show at least six months validity beyond intended stay. Israeli passport stamps or evidence of travel to Israel results in automatic entry denial. The visa itself appears as a stamped or glued page in the passport, specifying permitted areas of travel — a critical detail because internal checkpoints enforce these geographic restrictions. Yemen does not offer visa-on-arrival for any nationality in current circumstances.
Registration with local authorities must occur within 48 hours of arrival in most governorates. Hotels typically handle this for guests, but those staying in private residences must visit immigration offices directly. The registration receipt becomes part of required documentation at checkpoints. Overstaying visas incurs daily fines calculated in US dollars despite payment in rials.
Sana'a International Airport closed to commercial flights in August 2016 when the Saudi-led coalition enforced a blockade. Seiyun Airport in Hadhramaut governorate and Aden's Aden International Airport handle the limited international traffic that continues. Egypt's Air Cairo and Yemenia, the national carrier, maintain intermittent service between Cairo and Seiyun. Felix Airways operates domestic routes when security permits.
Aden International Airport connects to Cairo, Amman, and Addis Ababa on irregular schedules that change monthly. Departure taxes total approximately 6,000 YER for domestic flights and 60 USD for international departures, payable in cash at the airport. The terminal offers no ATMs, limited food vendors, and sporadic electricity. Flights experience delays lasting hours or days without advance notice.
Arriving passengers clear immigration at desks staffed by officials who check visas against physical ledgers and handwritten manifests. Baggage claim areas lack conveyor belts in smaller airports. Customs officers inspect luggage manually, paying particular attention to electronics, medications, and any printed materials. Drone equipment and satellite communication devices face immediate confiscation. Alcohol is prohibited and its discovery results in arrest.
Taxis wait outside arrival areas without meters. Drivers negotiate fares before departure. The drive from Aden airport to the city center covers 8 kilometers and costs between 3,000 and 5,000 YER depending on negotiation. From Seiyun airport to town runs about 15 kilometers at similar per-kilometer rates. No public transportation serves Yemeni airports. Pre-arranging pickup through sponsors or hotels eliminates fare disputes and provides safer arrival procedures given security conditions.