To apply for a Somalia eVisa from the UK, you must submit specific Somalia eVisa business documents via the eTAS portal at etas.gov.so. Core requirements include a valid passport with at least six months validity and two blank pages, a sponsor invitation letter (Warqad Dammaanad), a UK employer support letter, and host company registration. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days, with the embassy fee component at £49 GBP and total intermediary costs reaching approximately £127 GBP including service fees and VAT. The eTAS system issues a single-entry permit valid for 180 days from your stated arrival date. The UK FCDO currently advises against all travel to parts of Somalia and has confirmed an ongoing data breach in the Somalia eVisa system (gov.uk, accessed September 2026). Business travellers should review the latest FCDO guidance on gov.uk before submitting sensitive corporate documentation through the eTAS platform.
Last updated: 15 September 2026. Sources: gov.uk (FCDO travel advice for Somalia), sominvest.gov.so, etas.gov.so.
Complete Business Document Checklist for Somalia eVisa
Somalia eVisa business documents include a valid passport, sponsor letter, employer letter, host company registration, digital photo, and return ticket. Each item below cross-references a dedicated section in this guide.
| Document | Specifications | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Min. 6 months validity from arrival; 2 blank pages | Clear scan of information page (PDF/JPEG) | Expired or stolen passports result in denied entry (gov.uk) |
| Digital photo | White background, taken within 6 months, passport-style | JPEG or PNG | Face forward, clear background |
| Sponsor letter (Warqad Dammaanad) | From Somali host company, signed on letterhead | Scanned PDF | Must match Sponsor Organization selected during application |
| UK employer support letter | Employee name, job title, purpose, salary, return commitment | Scanned PDF on company letterhead | Confirms business affiliation and travel sponsorship |
| Host company registration certificate | Chamber of Commerce or Ministry of Commerce licence | Scanned PDF | Shows registration number and incorporation date |
| Return / onward ticket | Valid, matching stated travel dates | PDF or booking confirmation | Required for Visa on Arrival path |
Passport and Digital Photo Requirements
The passport scan must show the full information page, clearly legible and signed. A digital photo with a white background taken within the last 6 months accompanies every business visa paperwork submission. Expired or stolen passports result in denied entry at any port of entry (gov.uk).
Company Registration Documents
The Somali host company must provide a Chamber of Commerce registration or Ministry of Commerce licence displaying the registration number and incorporation date. This certificate establishes the legitimacy of the inviting entity within the Somalia eVisa business documents framework.
Sponsor Letter (Warqad Dammaanad) Field-by-Field Guide
The Warqad Dammaanad, also known as the Letter of Guarantee, is one of the three core Somalia eVisa business documents. It is required for all foreign applicants (Ajnabi) and must be issued on the Somali host company’s letterhead and signed by an authorised representative. Every field below must match the details entered in the eTAS application at etas.gov.so.
| Field | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Host company name | Full legal name; must match the Sponsor Organization selected in the eTAS dropdown |
| Host company address | Full registered Somali address |
| Host company registration number | From Chamber of Commerce or Ministry of Commerce |
| Visitor full name | Exactly as on passport |
| Visitor passport number | Must match uploaded passport scan |
| Purpose of visit | e.g. business meeting, conference, contract negotiation |
| Duration of visit | Start and end dates; must match stated travel dates |
| Accommodation details | Hotel name and address or host address in Somalia |
| Financial guarantee | Statement that host company covers visitor’s costs |
| Authorised signatory | Name, title, and signature of host representative |
| Date of issuance | Issue date on letter |
A standard signed company letterhead usually suffices. Including the host company’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) on the sponsor letter strengthens credibility. For regional variations, contact the Immigration and Citizenship Agency via SomInvest at [email protected] or +252 611 011 116.
Sponsor Letter vs Visa on Arrival Approval Letter
The Warqad Dammaanad is for eVisa applications submitted online. The pre-approved visa letter (Visa on Arrival approval letter) is a separate document obtained by a local Somali representative through SomInvest, with 48-hour processing and 14-day validity. These two documents must not be confused when preparing your Somalia eVisa business documents.
Employer Support Letter for UK Companies
The UK employer letter must declare employee name, job title, purpose of travel, salary, sponsorship guarantee, and return commitment. The letter must appear on company letterhead and contain: employee full name matching the passport, current job title, employment status confirmation, stated purpose of travel aligned with the invitation letter, salary confirmation, a travel sponsorship statement covering all associated costs, a return commitment specifying the expected return date, and an authorised signature from a senior officer or HR director. These Somalia eVisa business documents requirements apply to all employed applicants.
Business Documents for Freelancers and Self-Employed
Self-employed UK travellers replace the employer support letter with alternative documentation. A UK Companies House extract replaces the employer letter, an HMRC SA302 replaces salary confirmation, and client contracts or letters of intent from the Somali host replace the sponsorship statement. Bank statements covering a minimum of 3 months demonstrating business income serve as proof of sufficient funds. Prepare a cover letter mapping each alternative document to the standard requirement to assist Somali immigration officers in verifying the application.
Example: A UK freelance consultant submitted a Companies House extract, 3 months of bank statements, and a client contract from a Somali firm. The eVisa was approved in 8 business days.
How to Apply and Somalia vs Somaliland Entry
Submit Somalia eVisa business documents via the eTAS portal at etas.gov.so, but note that the Somalia eVisa is invalid for Somaliland entry.
Visit etas.gov.so
Electronic Travel Authorisation System, operated by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency.
Select travel purpose
Choose “Business” as the purpose of your visit.
Select a Sponsor Organization
Choose from the online dropdown – must match your sponsor letter.
Enter personal and travel details
Provide personal details, passport details, travel dates, and accommodation contact.
Upload corporate documentation
Passport scan, digital photo, sponsor letter, employer letter, and company registration certificate.
Pay online
Payment by debit or credit card via the portal.
Track status on the portal
ICA holds no obligation to notify via email – check the portal directly.
Processing takes 7-10 business days. The embassy fee component is £49 GBP; total via intermediary services is £127 GBP. The eTAS permit is single-entry with a 180-day validity window from the stated arrival date. All fees are as of September 2026 and may be revised by the ICA; always verify on etas.gov.so before payment.
Understanding the eTAS Platform
The eTAS platform moved to etas.gov.so in early 2025, replacing visa.gov.so and evisa.gov.so. Accepted upload formats include PDF, JPEG, and PNG. Common rejection reasons: low resolution, blurry scans, and name mismatches between uploaded documents and passport.
Somalia vs Somaliland Visa Rules
The Somalia eTAS eVisa is valid for entry via Mogadishu International Airport and other FGS-controlled ports, but is invalid for Somaliland entry at Hargeisa International Airport. Hargeisa requires a separate Somaliland visa on arrival, valid for 1 month. If meetings span both Mogadishu and Hargeisa, prepare two separate visa applications and align your Somalia eVisa business documents accordingly.
eTAS Data Breach Risk Assessment
The UK FCDO confirms an ongoing data breach in the Somalia eVisa system, with home addresses among the leaked personal data categories (gov.uk, accessed September 2026). The US Embassy in Somalia issued a corresponding alert. When submitting corporate documentation through the eTAS platform, minimise sensitive data included and monitor for potential identity fraud. Review the latest FCDO advisory on gov.uk before applying.
Somalia eVisa Business Documents: FAQ
Document Requirements
What documents do I need for a Somalia business eVisa from the UK?
You need a valid passport (minimum six months validity, two blank pages), a digital passport-style photo with a white background, a sponsor invitation letter (Warqad Dammaanad) from your Somali host company, an employment support letter from your UK employer, the host company registration certificate, and a return or onward ticket. All Somalia eVisa business documents are uploaded via the eTAS portal at etas.gov.so.
Do I need to translate my employer documents for a Somalia eVisa?
All documents must be in English or officially translated. UK employer letters are typically issued in English. If your Somali host company provides documents in Somali, a certified or sworn translation is required. Notarisation of the translation may be necessary. Confirm specific translation requirements with the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) before submission.
How recent must my business letters be for the Somalia eVisa?
The ICA has not published an explicit recency threshold. Issue all supporting letters no more than 30 days before your eVisa submission to minimise the risk of age-related rejection.
Does my Somali sponsor need a Tax Identification Number?
Not explicitly required in published guidelines. However, including the host company’s TIN on the sponsor letter strengthens credibility. Confirm with ICA: [email protected], +252 611 011 116.
Visa Types and Processing
What is the difference between a Somalia business eVisa and a tourist eVisa?
Both use the same eTAS system and are issued as single-entry permits valid for 180 days. The key difference is documentation: business eVisa applications require a sponsor letter, employer letter, and company registration certificate, whereas a tourist eVisa requires only basic travel documents.
Does the Somalia eVisa data breach affect my business application?
The UK FCDO confirms an ongoing data breach in the Somalia eVisa system, with home addresses among the leaked personal data categories. The US Embassy in Somalia issued a corresponding alert. When submitting documents, minimise sensitive data included and monitor for potential identity fraud. Review the latest FCDO advisory on gov.uk before applying.
Can I get a multi-entry Somalia business eVisa?
The eTAS system currently issues single-entry permits only, allowing one entry within a 180-day validity window. For multi-entry access to Somalia, you must apply for temporary or permanent residence through the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA). Supplementary documents such as long-term contracts or joint venture agreements may be required for residence applications.
How long does Somalia eVisa processing take?
Processing takes 7 to 10 business days, starting from the next business day following submission. Providing complete documentation expedites processing. Apply 1 to 2 months before your intended travel date to allow sufficient time for document preparation and potential processing delays.
What is the difference between a Somalia business visa and a work permit?
A Somalia business eVisa covers short-term business activities such as meetings, conferences, and trade fairs. A work permit authorises employment within Somalia and requires a separate application pathway through Somali immigration. Business eVisa documents demonstrate a temporary business purpose, whereas a work permit application involves additional employer sponsorship and labour-related documentation.
Travel and Entry
Do I need to carry my invitation letter at the airport in Somalia?
Yes. According to the UK FCDO, a letter of invitation may be required upon arrival in Somalia, and absence of this document may result in denied entry. Carry printed copies of all Somalia eVisa business documents, including the sponsor invitation letter (Warqad Dammaanad) and your employer support letter, when travelling through any port of entry.
What FCDO travel advice should I check before travelling to Somalia?
The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Somalia. UK travellers should consult the latest guidance on gov.uk, specifically the foreign travel advice for Somalia, before preparing documents or booking flights. The FCDO advisory also notes the ongoing eVisa data breach.
