Somalia Visa Essentials: Types, Documents, and Step-by-Step Application

Starting January 2026, most travelers entering federal-controlled Somalia must arrive with an approved e-visa or eTAS in hand, because routine visa-on-arrival has ended at key federal airports like Mogadishu. That shift affects tourists, business visitors, and diaspora returnees who once relied on airport counters.

Expect to pay about $60–$65 on the official system and wait 7–10 business days for processing. After approval, print the approval email for airline check-in and immigration inspection. Plan extra time if you need a Somali sponsor letter and you are not of Somali origin.

The two digital permissions: e-visa and eTAS

Somalia’s federal Immigration and Citizenship Agency (the online systems and checks travelers before they fly), using airline data such as passenger manifests.

• The eTAS, launched September 1, 2025, works as a pre-travel authorization.
• The e-visa covers tourist, business, and transit trips and commonly has a single-entry validity of up to 180 days.

Federal officials say the change modernizes entry screening and reduces long lines on arrival. ICA Director General Mustafa Duhulow said in 2025 that pre-entry vetting lets Somalia check traveler data earlier, similar to systems used in other countries. On the federal portal, the e-visa fee is listed at $64.

Regional rules that can change your itinerary

Here’s a crucial complication: Puntland and Somaliland don’t recognize the federal e-visa.

• Travelers report paying $60 visa-on-arrival at Bosaso (Puntland).
• Somaliland maintains a similar $60 visa-on-arrival approach at Hargeisa.
• If you enter both a federal airport and one of these regions, combined costs can reach $124.

Somaliland publicly reaffirmed its visa-on-arrival policy on September 9, 2025.

At Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, airlines have increasingly blocked boarding when a passenger lacks federal approval, even if they intend to continue to another Somali region later. Some carriers serving Hargeisa handle checks differently on Somaliland-bound routes. Confirm airline requirements before buying non-refundable tickets.

Before you apply: sponsor letter and document checklist

Most non‑Somali‑origin applicants need a “Warqad Dammaanad” (Letter of Guarantee) from an approved Somali sponsor organization. The letter states who you are, why you’re visiting, where you’ll stay, how long you’ll remain, and who covers costs.

• Getting the Warqad Dammaanad often takes longer than filling out the online form, so start early.

Prepare clear scans or photos of these items:

• Passport biodata page showing a passport valid at least 6+ months beyond your planned stay.
• One recent passport-style photo on a white background, face-forward; a well-lit selfie is accepted.
• The Warqad Dammaanad, signed and dated.
• A simple itinerary with flights, hotels, and return or onward ticket proof.
• If relevant: invitation letter for business, proof of funds, and a yellow fever certificate for travelers arriving from risk areas.

The online application journey, from start to approval

Applications are filed online through the federal portals for Somalia’s e-visa and eTAS.

• Use the Somalia e-visa application portal: https://evisa.gov.so
• Use the Somalia eTAS portal: https://etas.gov.so

Many travelers apply 4–6 weeks before departure to cover sponsor coordination and processing. A 2025 report of an e-visa platform data breach also makes basic digital safety a must.

Follow this five-step path, and keep copies of everything you submit:

1. Pick the right permission: tourist or business e-visa, transit e-visa, or eTAS.
2. Enter your details carefully, including sponsor information, address in Somalia, and travel dates.
3. Upload required scans and review them for legibility before submission.
4. Pay by card on the portal and save the receipt; official fees are generally $60–$65, while third‑party agents add service charges.
5. Track your application online, watch for email updates, and print several copies of the approval for check-in and arrival.

Processing typically takes 7–10 business days, but peak periods can extend timelines into weeks. If you use an agent such as VisaHQ or Sherpa, confirm that the final permission is issued by ICA and matches your passport details exactly.

Keep copies of all submissions and receipts. A mismatch in passport numbers or missing sponsor details often shows up only at airline check‑in.

Fees, budgeting, and the real cost of multi-region travel

On the official federal system, travelers commonly see a fee around $64 for an e-visa. Commercial services often quote totals in the $124–$154 range because they add service fees of $59–$89 on top of the official fee.

Regional add-ons are separate and usually paid on arrival in cash at airports in Puntland or Somaliland.

Table — Typical cost components

Budget for three predictable costs:

• Federal e-visa or eTAS fee (around $60–$65).
• Sponsor support costs, if your host charges for paperwork or logistics.
• A separate $60 visa-on-arrival in Puntland or Somaliland, if your route requires it.

Arrival, inspections, and common friction points

At federal entry points, present:

• Passport
• Printed e-visa or eTAS approval
• Sponsor letter when asked

Officers may check your details against airline data already transmitted through API and PNR systems. If you arrive without the required federal approval, airlines and border officers can refuse travel and return you on the next flight.

Health checks are practical rather than ceremonial. Bring a yellow fever certificate if you’re coming from an area where the disease circulates, and pack basic medicines because local supplies (including malaria prevention) can be scarce.

During your stay: extensions and the March 1, 2026 ID rule

Short-term permissions can be extended inside Somalia, but ICA decides extensions case by case. Long-term stays typically begin with a short entry permission, followed by in-country procedures for residency, work, or study status.

Keep your entry printout and sponsor contacts available, since local offices often ask for proof of lawful entry.

• From March 1, 2026, Somalia plans to require a national ID for internal flights and some checkpoints.
• Expect closer document checks on domestic routes, especially when leaving Mogadishu for other federal cities.

Practical planning for families, business visitors, and the diaspora

• For Somali diaspora returning for weddings, funerals, or property matters, the digital system can be faster at Mogadishu but makes correct paperwork essential before travel day.
• A missing sponsor letter or a mismatched passport number often shows up only at airline check-in.
• Travelers heading to Puntland or Somaliland may have to pay twice for entry permissions.

Business visitors should align the sponsor letter with meeting dates and provide an itinerary that matches what they tell airline staff. Students and workers can use eTAS as a pre-entry step, then complete longer-term permissions after arrival.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the biggest avoidable mistake in new digital systems is treating the approval email as optional instead of travel-critical.

A realistic timeline you can follow

Treat the process as a short project with clear checkpoints:

• Week 6–4 before travel: choose region(s), line up a sponsor, and request the Warqad Dammaanad.
• Week 4–3: submit the e-visa or eTAS application online and pay the fee.
• Week 2: watch email, download the approval, and print multiple copies.
• Travel week: reconfirm airline document checks, carry your sponsor letter, and keep a backup copy on your phone.

Rules shift with Somalia’s federal and regional politics, so check the official portals again close to departure and avoid sharing passport images over unsecured channels. When the paperwork is correct, the new e-visa and eTAS systems usually turn airport entry into a straightforward inspection, not a negotiation.

Keep receipts for all fees, especially regional payments, and note that federal approvals don’t replace local security checks at checkpoints.