Arrival in Somalia

For entry under the Federal Government of Somalia, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency generally requires foreign visitors to obtain an eTA through the official etas.gov.so portal before travel. Carry the approval digitally and in print, and use a passport or travel document valid for at least six months. Somalia's aviation information published on 27 November 2025 states that visas are handled online and that travellers should present their passport and eTA on arrival. Another aviation notice dated 3 September 2025 lists exceptions and visa-on-arrival arrangements for certain passports, multiple-entry visa holders, residence-permit holders and UN laissez-passer holders. Because these rules may change or conflict, obtain written confirmation from the ICA or the airline before departure and do not assume that visa on arrival is available. Use only the official portal; a reported eVisa data leak creates a personal-data risk. Somaliland has a separate entry jurisdiction administered by Somaliland Immigration & Border Control. An eTA issued by the Federal Government of Somalia does not authorize entry into Somaliland. Visa on arrival is available at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa and Berbera International Airport for eligible travellers, who may need a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket, proof of funds, a local contact or hotel address and the full visa fee. Land and sea crossings generally require advance arrangements. Fee amounts and processing times are not reliably published, so confirm them directly with SIBC and the airline. Prepare health documents according to the itinerary. Somalia's aviation information lists no general health formalities, but a yellow-fever certificate may be required because of the departure or transit country; carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis and check the current requirement with the World Health Organization or the airline. Malaria occurs throughout Somalia, while polio circulation and cholera transmission also affect health planning. Review routine, MMR, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid vaccinations with a medical professional, arrange a medical check at least one month before travel where possible, and carry regular medication, prescriptions and a reserve supply. At arrival, keep the passport, eTA or visa, invitation or host details, hotel address, onward ticket, insurance papers and vaccination or medication evidence together and accessible without an internet connection. Immigration may inspect baggage, and customs normally uses an oral declaration process. In Somaliland, keep the visa-on-arrival documents and payment ready. Valid entry documents do not create a right to housing, benefits or municipal registration, and travellers must follow the conditions of their visa or permit, customs declarations and local authority instructions. Security planning affects the whole arrival process. Current government advisories report a high risk of terrorism, kidnapping and armed violence, including around airports, hotels, markets and checkpoints. Arrange professional security advice and a reliable sponsor or airport pickup where appropriate, avoid unplanned overland transfers, and keep an exit plan because movement restrictions, curfews and roadblocks can change quickly. Consular assistance is severely limited and emergency numbers may not work reliably. Entry permission is separate from permission to live or work in Somalia. The ICA issues residence permits for foreign nationals who live, work or invest in the country. An employment pathway may require an employer letter, passport valid for at least one year, a Ministry of Labour-approved contract, work permit, photographs, skills or curriculum vitae documents and a medical certificate. An investor pathway may require an application, insurance, business permit, passport valid for at least one year, photographs, business profile, skills or curriculum vitae documents and other supporting papers. Fees and processing times are not reliably published, so confirm them with the ICA before relying on a start date or work arrangement. The National Identification and Registration Authority, known as NIRA, registers citizens and legal residents. Its National Identification Number, or NIN, is called Tirsi Aqoonsi; NIRA also issues National ID Cards and Residence Identity Cards. Registration uses biographic information, legal status and current residence, together with a passport, civil documents or a registered witness, fingerprints and a photograph. NIRA states that an identity certificate can take about 48 hours and a physical card about three weeks, but coverage is still expanding across regions. There is no established evidence that short-term visitors must complete NIRA registration. Ordinary arrival does not constitute an asylum claim. Asylum registration is handled with government authorities and UNHCR: the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs in Mogadishu for southern and central areas, the National Displacement and Refugee Agency in Hargeisa for Somaliland, and the Human Protection Department of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization in Garowe for Puntland. Bring all available passports, identity papers, family records and civil documents. Registration includes fingerprint and iris biometrics and can result in a Proof of Registration or Asylum Seeker Certificate that supports lawful stay while the claim is decided. False documents are prohibited, and UNHCR and partner services are free. Prima facie recognition applies to arrivals from Yemen throughout Somalia and additionally to arrivals from Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine in Somaliland; other cases generally require individual refugee-status determination. UNHCR's help line is 2772, with additional contacts listed for Puntland and the NCRI. Somali refugee returnees may receive support through UNHCR reception centres in Berbera and Bossaso and waystations in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo and Dhobley. Services can include information, biometric verification, emergency medical referral and programme-dependent livelihood or cash support. People returning independently should contact the entry authority and the nearest centre or waystation. Access to health care depends on the region, facility and legal or practical status. The Ministry of Health facility finder identifies hospitals, health centres and maternal and child health facilities by district. A national assessment for 2022–23 found emergency services at first entry in 31% of facilities and 24-hour medical or nursing services in 14% of all facilities, so arrange referral and medical-evacuation planning for serious conditions. Somalia uses the US dollar widely for exchange and payment, while cards are not broadly accepted; carry a lawful cash reserve and identify licensed banks or mobile-money providers such as Hormuud, Somtel and Golis. SIM registration requires operators to verify subscriber identity, and an unregistered SIM may be blocked or deactivated.