Somalia eVisa vs Somaliland Visa on Arrival: the rules now

Somalia introduced a nationwide eVisa system on 1 September 2025, replacing most visas on arrival and requiring travelers to apply online before they fly to Mogadishu or other federal entry points. Days later, Somaliland authorities publicly restated that entry to Hargeisa and other airports under their control remains by Visa on Arrival and that Somalia’s eVisa will not be honored at Somaliland checkpoints. Multiple governments now warn travelers to verify their exact destination, since some airlines still ask to see a Somalia eVisa even for flights to Hargeisa.

What changed and when

• 1 September 2025: Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency launched eTAS, making eVisa pre-approval mandatory for most short stays.
• 9 September 2025: Somaliland’s Civil Aviation Ministry reaffirmed Visa on Arrival for international visitors and said external electronic authorizations are not valid for entry into Somaliland.
• Late September 2025: The UK updated its advisory to reflect the new eVisa requirement for Mogadishu and the continued Visa on Arrival in Hargeisa, while noting some carriers may still request an eVisa to board.

Who needs a Somalia eVisa

• Most foreign nationals traveling to Somalia under federal control must secure an eVisa in advance through the official eTAS portal. Categories covered include tourism, business, transit, permitted paid engagements, short-term study up to 6 months, private medical treatment, and certain academic visits. Passport must be valid at least six months beyond arrival. The eVisa is single entry, and entry must occur within the visa validity window shown on the eTAS approval.
• Limited exemptions appear on the eTAS site, including visa-free entry for holders of Rwandan and Malaysian passports and visas on arrival for listed countries, plus exemptions for certain permit holders and UN Laissez-Passer holders. Travelers should check the portal’s “Countries Exempted from eTAS” before applying.

Somaliland’s Visa on Arrival

• Entry to airports under Somaliland authority, including Hargeisa Egal International and Berbera, remains by Visa on Arrival. Somaliland specifies that only visas issued by its own Immigration Authority are valid and that external eVisas will not be accepted for entry.
• The UK notes you may still be asked for a Somalia eVisa at check-in for Hargeisa flights, but on arrival you must purchase a single-entry Somaliland visa that is typically issued for one month. Confirm airline policy before departure.

Eligible countries and stay duration

• Somalia eVisa exemptions and on-arrival eligibility lists are published on the official eTAS portal. As of October 2025 the site lists Rwanda and Malaysia as visa-free and a set of African and Arab states eligible for visas on arrival. The permitted stay is as authorized on your eTAS approval; travelers should rely on the terms shown in the grant notice.
• Somaliland Visa on Arrival is available to international travelers arriving at Hargeisa or Berbera. UK guidance indicates the standard entry issued on arrival is a single-entry visa for one month. Always verify any longer stays with Somaliland Immigration before travel.

Available visa types

• Somalia eVisa: tourist, business, transit, short-term study up to 6 months, medical treatment, permitted paid engagement, academic visit, plus diplomatic categories handled separately.
• Somaliland: Visa on Arrival for visitors, with categories and extensions administered by Somaliland Immigration under local law.

How to apply for the Somalia eVisa
1) Prepare documents: passport with 6 months validity, photo, itinerary, accommodation details, and payment method.
2) Create an application on the official eTAS portal, select the appropriate visit category, and submit.
3) Monitor status and carry a digital or printed copy of the approval for airline check-in and border control.

Apply now: https://etas.gov.so/ (Somalia eTAS official portal). (etas.gov.so)

Somaliland Visa on Arrival in brief

• Where available: Hargeisa Egal International Airport and Berbera International Airport
• What to bring: passport with 6 months validity, return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and funds for the visa fee
• Important: Somaliland will not accept Somalia’s eVisa for entry. Confirm airline boarding rules in advance.

Passport validity and traveler tips

• Passport validity: At least six months from date of entry for both Somalia and Somaliland.
• Airline check-in: Some carriers may require a Somalia eVisa to board even for Hargeisa-bound flights. If traveling only to Somaliland, bring proof of itinerary to Hargeisa and be ready to explain that entry is by Visa on Arrival.
• Security and advisories: Several governments advise against travel due to security risks. Australia’s Smartraveller confirms eVisas are now mandatory for Somalia and urges travelers to reconsider any non-essential trips.

Key official websites

• Somalia eTAS portal and application: etas.gov.so (Immigration and Citizenship Agency). (etas.gov.so)
• Somalia Immigration information: immigration.gov.so. (immigration.gov.so)
• Somaliland Civil Aviation Ministry announcements: mocaad.govsomaliland.org. (mocaad.govsomaliland.org)
• UK FCDO entry requirements overview with airline-boarding note: gov.uk Foreign Travel Advice for Somalia. (gov.uk)

Timeline at a glance

• 1 September 2025: Somalia eVisa becomes mandatory for most visitors.
• 9 September 2025: Somaliland publicly reaffirms Visa on Arrival and non-acceptance of Somalia’s eVisa.
• 26 to 29 September 2025: Major advisories update guidance to reflect the changes.

Useful traveler information

• If your trip includes both Mogadishu and Hargeisa, you will need to satisfy both regimes. Secure the Somalia eVisa in advance, then purchase the Somaliland visa on arrival when you land in Hargeisa. Coordinate itineraries and check-in documentation with your airline.
• If your destination is Somaliland only, plan for Visa on Arrival and confirm with your airline whether a Somalia eVisa is still required for boarding. Carry printed confirmation of your Hargeisa booking and the official Somaliland notice, if needed.

Sources

• Somalia Immigration and Citizenship Agency, eTAS portal and requirements. (etas.gov.so)
• Fragomen legal update confirming 1 September 2025 launch and mandatory nature of eTAS. (fragomen.com)
• Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation press notice on Visa on Arrival policy, 9 September 2025. (mocaad.govsomaliland.org)