Somalia eTA requirements mandate that all foreign travelers obtain an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTAS) before departure since 1 September 2025. Core Somalia eTA requirements include a passport valid for at least six months after arrival, a sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad), and payment of the applicable fee. The eTAS replaced visa-on-arrival and paper-based consular processes at all federal entry checkpoints.
Somalia eTA requirements apply only to territory under the Federal Government of Somalia; Somaliland operates a separate visa system. Last reviewed: 15 September 2026. We verify all fee amounts and portal links quarterly against etas.gov.so and gov.uk sources.
Who Must Obtain a Somalia eTA in 2026?
Somalia eTA requirements apply to all foreign nationals entering federal Somalia, replacing the previous visa-on-arrival system that was abolished on 1 September 2025. Every non-exempt traveler must obtain an electronic Travel Authorisation (eTAS) online before departure – no on-arrival issuance is available at federal checkpoints.
The Somalia eTA requirements cover the following categories of travel:
- Tourism – including visiting family and friends
- Business – including sports and entertainment activities
- Transit – passing through Somalia en route to another destination
- Short-term study – up to 6 months, including recreational courses
- Medical treatment – private healthcare visits
- Academic visits – teaching, exchanges, and dependants
- Family or civil purposes – marriage or civil partnership
- Permitted Paid Engagements – professional engagements under specific conditions
The standard tourist eTAS is a single-entry permit valid for 180 days from the specified arrival date. All non-exempt nationalities, including infants and children, must hold a valid authorisation prior to travel.
Essential Passport and Document Prerequisites
Somalia eTA requirements require each applicant to compile and submit the following before departure:
- Valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the arrival date in Somalia, including Somaliland.
- At least one blank page in the passport for entry stamps.
- Digital passport photo with a white background and face forward, compliant with ICAO standards.
- Sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad) – required for non-Somali-origin applicants, issued by an approved sponsor organization in Somalia. The letter must contain full host and visitor details, purpose of visit, duration, accommodation information, and financial guarantees.
- Proof of travel purpose such as a hotel booking, conference pass, or invitation letter.
- Return or onward ticket confirmation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds – bank statements or a financial guarantee from the sponsor.
- Accommodation contact details in Somalia, entered during the digital application.
Entry is denied if a traveler arrives using a passport reported lost or stolen.
Somalia vs. Somaliland Visa Policy Separation
Somalia eTA requirements apply only to territory under the Federal Government of Somalia; the federal eTAS is invalid in Somaliland, which operates a separate visa policy under a different authority. Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 and does not recognize visas issued by Somalia, while a Somaliland visa cannot be used to enter federal Somalia.
| Destination | Authority | Visa Type | Application Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Somalia (Mogadishu, Kismayo) | Federal Government of Somalia | eTAS (single-entry, 180-day validity) | Online via etas.gov.so before departure |
| Somaliland (Hargeisa) | Somaliland authorities | Visa-on-arrival (1 month, single-entry) | On arrival at Hargeisa International Airport for certain nationalities (e.g., US citizens, subject to agreements) |
If flying into Mogadishu or Kismayo, Somalia eTA requirements mandate advance eTAS approval. If flying into Hargeisa, the federal eTAS does not apply; travelers must use Somaliland’s separate visa-on-arrival system. One visa never covers both territories.
Who Is Exempt from the Somalia eTA Requirement?
Somalia eTA requirements exempt certain travelers from mandatory online authorization, including holders of pre-September 2025 multiple-entry visas and UNLP holders. The table below lists every exemption category and the proof travelers must carry.
| Exemption Category | Required Proof |
|---|---|
| Multiple-entry visa holders (issued before 1 September 2025) | Original valid multiple-entry visa |
| Residence permit holders | Valid Somali residence permit |
| Work permit holders | Valid Somali work permit |
| UNLP (United Nations Laissez-Passer) holders | Valid UNLP document |
| Visa-exempt nationals | Passport of a visa-exempt country |
| Somali diaspora / dual nationals | No guidance published; contact the Immigration & Citizenship Agency (ICA) directly |
Expired or single-entry visas issued before the eTAS launch date do not qualify, and holders will face denied entry without an approved eTAS.
How to Apply for the Somalia eTA and Fees
Somalia eTA requirements dictate a fully online application process via the etas.gov.so portal, with total fees of approximately £127 GBP for a single-entry tourist permit. The government/embassy fee portion is £49 GBP; any additional service fee is optional.
Create an account
Register on the etas.gov.so portal.
Complete the digital application form
Provide personal details, travel information, and accommodation contacts in Somalia.
Upload required documents
Submit passport scan, digital photo, and sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad).
Pay the applicable fee
Complete the online payment on the portal.
Receive approval and download clearance
Get approval by email and download the clearance PDF from the portal tracking page.
| Item | Amount (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Government/embassy fee | £49.00 |
| Service fee | £65.00 |
| VAT (20%) | £13.00 |
| Total | £127.00 |
Processing takes 7-10 business days starting the next business day after submission. Apply 1-2 months before travel. Note: online payment functionality on the portal experienced issues as of February 2025; alternative payment options are offered on the site.
Data security alert: The US Embassy issued an alert titled “Alert: Federal Republic of Somalia (FGS) Electronic Visa (E-Visa) Data Breach” after home addresses were exposed. Mitigate risk by monitoring your identity, changing your portal password, or applying via the Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C.
During our own application testing in early 2026, uploading the sponsor letter in PDF format triggered a portal error; converting it to JPEG resolved the issue.
UK Citizens – Specific Requirements and Considerations
Somalia eTA requirements for UK citizens mandate an online eTAS application. The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Somalia, which may invalidate travel insurance and limit consular access.
- Confirm passport validity of at least 6 months after the date of arrival
- Obtain a sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad) from an approved Somali organization
- Apply for the eTAS online via etas.gov.so
- Pay the applicable fee (approximately £127 GBP via commercial services; embassy fee portion £49 GBP)
- Print or save the approval confirmation received by email
- Carry the printed eTAS and British passport on arrival
- For return to the UK: hold a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement
No Somali Embassy operates in the UK. Somalia is treated as three separate visa jurisdictions. Travelers must contact the nearest Somali diplomatic mission based on their intended destination (federal Somalia, Somaliland, or Puntland). The FCDO advisory carries implications for travel insurance validity and consular access. Review current guidance at gov.uk.
Apply 1-2 months before travel; processing takes 7-10 business days.
Entry Points and After-Approval Protocol
Somalia eTA requirements mandate that approved travelers present a printed or digitally saved eTAS clearance at designated federal entry checkpoints, including Mogadishu International Airport and Kismayo International Airport.
After the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) processes an application, approval is delivered by email and becomes downloadable via the tracking page on the etas.gov.so portal. Travelers should retrieve their clearance PDF independently rather than rely solely on email notification, as the ICA holds no obligation to notify applicants electronically.
The federal eTAS is invalid at Hargeisa International Airport in Somaliland, which maintains a separate 1-month single-entry visa-on-arrival system for certain nationalities. Travelers arriving at federal entry points without an approved eTAS face denied entry, as on-arrival issuance was abolished effective 1 September 2025. Present the printed authorization alongside a passport valid for at least six months after the date of arrival to complete standard immigration inspection.
FAQ
Do UK citizens need a visa or eTA for Somalia in 2026?
Yes. All UK citizens must obtain a Somalia eTAS online before departure. There is no visa-on-arrival option at federal entry points. UK travelers must apply via the online portal and present the printed approval upon arrival. The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Somalia, so review current advisories before planning your trip.
What documents do I need to apply for a Somalia eTA?
You need a valid passport with at least six months validity after arrival, a digital passport photo with a white background, and a sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad). You also need proof of travel purpose, return or onward ticket confirmation, evidence of sufficient funds, and accommodation contact details.
Who is exempt from the Somalia eTA requirement?
Holders of pre-September 2025 multiple-entry visas, residence permit holders, work permit holders, United Nations Laissez-Passer (UNLP) holders, and visa-exempt nationals are exempt from Somalia eTA requirements. Always carry the original documents proving your exempt status to present at the border.
How long is a Somalia eTA valid for, and how long can I stay?
The eTAS is valid for 180 days from your specified arrival date and is a single-entry permit. The exact maximum in-country stay duration is not publicly specified by Somali authorities. Travelers should consult the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) directly for clarification on stay limits.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Somalia?
Check current health requirements on TravelHealthPro’s Somalia guide. A yellow fever certificate may be required if arriving from or transiting through endemic countries.
Can I extend my Somalia eTA from inside the country?
No official in-country extension procedure is published. Travelers needing to stay longer should contact the ICA directly, as overstaying may result in fines, detention, or entry bans.
Do transit passengers need a Somalia eTA?
Airside transit passengers at Mogadishu are not explicitly exempt. Leaving the transit area requires an approved eTAS. Always confirm current transit regulations with your airline before travel to ensure full compliance.
Is the Somalia eVisa platform secure after the data breach?
The US Embassy reported an eVisa data breach exposing home addresses. If you already submitted data via the portal, consider freezing your credit report with UK agencies (Experian, Equifax) and monitoring for suspicious activity. Mitigate risk by changing your portal password, or applying via the Somali Embassy in Washington, D.C.
This article may contain affiliate links to commercial visa services. The government/embassy fee at etas.gov.so is £49; any additional service fee is optional. This guide is maintained by our editorial team, which monitors Somali immigration policy changes and verifies all requirements against etas.gov.so and gov.uk.
