This guide is independently researched by our editorial team and is not affiliated with the Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia. All contact details were last verified on 15 September 2026 against the etas.gov.so portal and ICA public communications on that date.
The Somalia eTA contact number is +252 61 333 9998, available by phone and WhatsApp. Email support is available at @immigration.gov.so. Support is managed by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) and operates on East Africa Time (UTC+3). Have your Application Reference ID and passport number ready before contacting support.
To reach the Somalia eTA help desk from the UK, dial +252 61 333 9998 during East Africa Time business hours (approximately 09:00-17:00 EAT, i.e. 07:00-15:00 GMT or 08:00-16:00 BST). The ICA also offers a Contact Us form on the etas.gov.so portal. Prepare your Application Reference ID, passport number, payment transaction ID, and travel dates before contacting support.
Somalia eTA Contact Number and All Support Channels
The Somalia eTA contact number is +252 61 333 9998, reachable by phone and WhatsApp, with email support at @immigration.gov.so and a web form on etas.gov.so (evisa.gov.so serves as an alias; the legacy visa.gov.so portal is offline). All channels are managed by Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA).
| Channel | Contact Details | Availability | Language | Best For | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone | +252 61 333 9998 | EAT business hours (~09:00-17:00) | English, Somali, Arabic | Urgent queries, imminent travel | Immediate (if connected) |
| +252 61 333 9998 | 24/7 monitoring per ICA | English, Somali | Quick status checks | Variable (hours to 1 day) | |
| @immigration.gov.so | 24/7 inbox; responses during business hours | English, Somali | Formal complaints, refund requests | Within 24-72h window | |
| Web form | “Contact Us” on etas.gov.so | 24/7 submission | English, Somali | Documented written record | Within 24-72h window |
| Mogadishu (EAT, UTC+3) | London (GMT, UTC+0) | London (BST, UTC+1) |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 |
| 12:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| 17:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 |
For UK callers, +252 is Somalia’s country code and international call charges apply. The ICA’s 24/7 WhatsApp claim may reflect automated monitoring rather than live staff; call during 07:00-15:00 GMT or 08:00-16:00 BST for the best chance of reaching a live Somalia eTA agent. Support may be limited on Somali public holidays.
What to Prepare Before Contacting Somalia eTA Support
Have these details ready before contacting Somalia eTA support. Without your Application Reference ID, agents cannot locate your file.
- Application Reference ID – from your confirmation email or the etas.gov.so tracking page; without this number, agents cannot locate your file
- Transaction / Payment ID – from your payment confirmation receipt
- Passport number and expiry date – passport must be valid at least 6 months after your planned arrival date
- Email address used during application – the one registered on the portal
- Travel dates – arrival date determines the eTAS validity window (single-entry, valid within 180 days)
- Airport of arrival – Mogadishu or Kismayo International Airport
- Screenshots of error messages – capture technical or payment failures
- One-sentence issue summary – state your reason for contacting support
Check your eTA status independently via the tracking page on etas.gov.so. Statuses: Pending (under review), Approved (download available), Rejected (contact support). The ICA holds no obligation to send email notifications, so check proactively. For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide on how to check your Somalia eTA status using a reference number.
Processing Times, Response Expectations and Emergency Escalation
Standard Somalia eTA processing takes 24-72 hours; express options deliver in 5-6 hours during Somalia working hours (approximately 09:00-17:00 EAT). Phone responses are immediate if connected; WhatsApp replies range from hours to one day; email and web form responses fall within the standard processing window. The eTAS, effective since 1 September 2025, applies to all visitors including babies and children and issues a single-entry permit valid within 180 days of the specified arrival date. For a deeper dive into each stage, read our Somalia eTA processing time guide.
Emergency Escalation Protocol
Call the ICA
Call the ICA at +252 61 333 9998 (phone and WhatsApp). State your imminent departure and provide your Application Reference ID.
Present application confirmation
Present your application confirmation at the airline check-in desk. Print or screenshot your etas.gov.so submission confirmation showing the Application Reference ID and submission date.
Contact the Somali Embassy in the UK
Contact the Somali Embassy in the UK as a secondary route, listed by UK FCDO as a contact point for entry requirements.
Request airline liaison
Request the airline to liaise with Somali immigration if the eTAS remains pending at check-in.
Document everything
Keep records of all calls, emails, and reference numbers for potential refund or complaint.
If the Somalia eTA is not approved by departure time, boarding may be denied. Apply at least 1-2 months before travel to avoid this scenario.
Troubleshooting eTA Issues, Security and Somaliland Visa Differences
The Somalia eVisa system has an ongoing data breach flagged by UK FCDO and the US Embassy in Somalia, with home addresses among leaked data. When contacting support, share only your Application Reference ID, passport number, and travel dates; never share home addresses or financial details. Verify you are on etas.gov.so (check for HTTPS and Cloudflare security) to avoid phishing look-alikes. For more details on what was exposed and how to stay safe, see our article on the Somalia eTAS data breach.
Payment failures: The eTAS payment module has been reported as non-functional at times (per VisasNews, February 2025). If charged without receiving an Application Reference ID, email @immigration.gov.so with subject “Refund Request – Transaction ID: [your ID]” and attach a bank statement screenshot. Do not re-apply until confirmed to avoid double charges. For broader technical issues, consult our Somalia eTAS portal troubleshooting guide.
Correcting errors: Contact ICA via email with your Application Reference ID and correct details. Minor errors may be amendable; major errors (wrong passport number entirely) may require re-filing through the etas.gov.so portal.
Delayed applications: If processing exceeds 72 hours, email @immigration.gov.so quoting your Reference ID, passport number, and travel dates.
Third-party services: Commercial services (e.g. eVisaSomali, registered in England and Wales as Passkey Technologies Limited, company #16877709) submit applications via the official eTAS portal on your behalf. Standard service costs £66 GBP (24-72 hours); express costs $150 USD (5-6 hours). These services assist with form completion, not faster ICA approval. Contact the third party first for support on applications filed through them.
Somaliland: Somaliland does not recognise Somalia eTAS. A separate single-entry visa is issued on arrival at Hargeisa International Airport, valid for one month. Advance application is available via London representation. The Somalia eTA contact number is not for Somaliland visa enquiries. Learn more in our guide to eTA Somalia Hargeisa Somaliland visa requirements and differences.
FAQ
What is the Somalia eTA contact number in 2026?
The Somalia eTA contact number is +252 61 333 9998, available by phone and WhatsApp. Email support is at @immigration.gov.so. Have your Application Reference ID and passport number ready before contacting support.
How do I call the Somalia eTA help desk from the UK?
Dial +252 61 333 9998 from a UK phone. +252 is Somalia’s country code; international call charges apply. Consider using WhatsApp at the same number to avoid fees when contacting the Somalia eTA support.
Does Somalia eTA support have email and WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp is available at +252 61 333 9998 and email at @immigration.gov.so. The ICA also offers a Contact Us form on the etas.gov.so portal for formal complaints requiring a written record.
What are the Somalia eTA support phone hours?
Support operates on East Africa Time (UTC+3), approximately 09:00 to 17:00. From the UK, call between 07:00 and 15:00 GMT or 08:00 and 16:00 BST for the best chance of reaching a live Somalia eTA agent.
What information do I need before calling eTAS support?
Have your Application Reference ID, passport number, payment transaction ID, travel dates, and any error screenshots ready. Without your Application Reference ID, agents cannot locate your Somalia eTA file.
How long does it take to get a response from eTAS support?
Phone responses are immediate if connected. Email and WhatsApp responses typically align with the standard 24 to 72 hour processing window for the Somalia eTA.
What should I do if my Somalia eTA payment fails?
If charged without receiving an Application Reference ID, email @immigration.gov.so with your transaction ID and a bank statement screenshot to request a refund for the Somalia eTA.
Can I correct a mistake on my Somalia eTA after submitting?
Contact the ICA via email with your Application Reference ID and correct details. Minor errors may be amendable; major errors may require re-filing the Somalia eTA application through the etas.gov.so portal.
Is the Somalia eTA the same as a Somaliland visa?
No. Somaliland does not recognise the Somalia eTA. If travelling to Somaliland, you need a separate single-entry visa on arrival at Hargeisa International Airport, valid for one month.
How do I escalate a delayed Somalia eTA application?
Email @immigration.gov.so quoting your Application Reference ID if processing exceeds 72 hours. Include your passport number and planned travel dates to help the Somalia eTA support team locate your file.
Is it safe to share my details when contacting eTAS support?
Share only your Application Reference ID and passport number. The Somalia eVisa system has an ongoing data breach flagged by UK FCDO; never share home addresses or financial details unless via a verified ICA channel.
What is the difference between the ICA help desk and commercial visa services?
The ICA help desk is the government support channel for the Somalia eTA. Commercial services like eVisaSomali charge additional fees (£66 GBP standard, $150 USD express) to submit applications on your behalf via the same eTAS portal.
