Somalia visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Somalia

Rules are written for non-Somali-origin foreign nationals entering federal-government-controlled Somalia (Mogadishu and federal airports); Somaliland and Puntland run separate systems that do not recognise the federal eVisa.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Tourist eVisa

  Single-entry; sources vary — eVisa validity is commonly cited as up to ~180 days with a permitted stay of ~30 days (verify; figures differ between sources).

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by stated rules. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from a risk area. Travel/medical insurance strongly recommended given limited local healthcare.

  Good for

  Leisure travellers, holidaymakers and family visitors; the federal eVisa is mandatory before travel for almost all nationalities since Sept 2025, as routine visa-on-arrival has ended at federal airports like Mogadishu.

  Requirement

  Apply online at evisa.gov.so with passport valid 6+ months; non-Somali-origin applicants must name an approved Sponsor Organisation and obtain an official Letter of Guarantee ('Warqad Dammaanad'). Fee approx US$60–65 (portal lists ~$64), processing ~7–10 business days.

• Most nomadsBusiness

  Business eVisa

  Single-entry; same eVisa framework as the tourist route (validity commonly cited up to ~180 days; verify permitted stay).

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by stated rules; yellow-fever certificate if arriving from a risk area. Medical/evacuation insurance recommended.

  Good for

  Visitors attending meetings, conferences, trade discussions and commercial visits (not local employment).

  Requirement

  Online eVisa application with sponsor/invitation; non-Somali-origin applicants need a Sponsor Organisation and Letter of Guarantee ('Warqad Dammaanad'), with meeting dates aligned to the itinerary. Fee approx US$60–65.

• Work

  Temporary Work Visa / Permit (short-term)

  Reported up to approx 6 months (employer-sponsored).

  Insurance

  RequiredNot stated as mandatory; medical fitness evidence may be requested. Employer-provided or private health insurance strongly recommended.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals on short-term employment contracts with a Somali-based employer.

  Requirement

  Employer sponsorship; valid passport; employment contract; qualification/security checks. Reported fee approx US$150. Note: Somalia lacks a fully standardised nationwide work-permit system, so procedures vary by region/organisation — verify with the employer and ICA.

• Work

  Long-Term Work Visa / Permit

  Beyond ~6 months (specific validity not clearly published; renewable in-country — verify).

  Insurance

  RequiredNot stated as mandatory; private/employer health insurance strongly recommended given limited local healthcare.

  Good for

  Foreign employees on contracts exceeding six months with an employer registered in Somalia.

  Requirement

  Sponsorship by a Somalia-registered employer; employment contract; proof of qualifications; background checks. Reported fee approx US$300. Long-term stays typically start with a short entry permission followed by in-country procedures.

• Work

  Humanitarian / NGO Work Visa

  Variable, tied to the assignment (verify with the sponsoring organisation).

  Insurance

  OptionalNot stated as a government requirement; organisations typically arrange medical and evacuation cover, which is strongly advised.

  Good for

  Staff of international organisations and NGOs working on humanitarian or development projects in Somalia.

  Requirement

  Organisational sponsorship; alignment with an approved humanitarian project; passport and background checks. Reported fee approx US$100.

• Transit

  Transit eVisa

  Short transit period (exact duration not clearly published — verify on the federal portal).

  Insurance

  RecommendedNot required by stated rules. Travel insurance recommended.

  Good for

  Travellers connecting through Somalia by air, sea or land en route to a third country.

  Requirement

  Online eVisa/eTAS authorization before travel; onward ticket and, for non-Somali-origin applicants, a sponsor/Letter of Guarantee. Fee approx US$60–65.

Somalia's federal eVisa/eTAS system is new and unevenly documented; regional authorities (Somaliland, Puntland) differ, and security conditions affect travel — verify directly via evisa.gov.so before booking. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

United Kingdom → Somalia: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Somalia?

e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Somalia?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Somalia has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Somalia?

Entry to Somalia never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Somalia visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.