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🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇸🇴SomaliaAE-SO

United Arab Emirates to Somalia visa requirements

UAE ordinary passport holders need an eVisa/eTAS to visit federal Somalia. Somalia's 2025 eTAS notice exempts Rwanda and Malaysia from visas and keeps visa on arrival for listed countries, but the UAE is not on either list, so UAE travelers should obtain the electronic authorization before departure. As of 2026, United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holders are NOT visa-free for federal Somalia and must obtain a Somalia eVisa/eTAS before traveling. Somali Civil Aviation Authority AIC A 10/2025 states that, from 1 September 2025, foreign passport holders must possess a valid eTA to enter Somalia unless exempt. The same official notice lists visa-free passports from Rwanda and Malaysia and visa-on-arrival eligibility for Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, Mauritania, Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and Comoros; the UAE is not in those lists. Applicants should apply at the official portal (evisa.gov.so / etas.gov.so), upload a passport valid at least six months with a blank page plus a photo/selfie, and provide accommodation, sponsor or Letter of Guarantee details, and onward-travel details if requested by the portal. Official public sources confirm that applicants pay the applicable non-refundable fee online but do not publish a stable current fee or guaranteed processing time, so travelers should check the portal at payment and apply well in advance. The approved eVisa/eTAS arrives by email as a PDF and must be presented to the airline and to immigration on arrival. Note: Somaliland (Hargeisa) operates its own separate visa system. Somalia is not part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Given that UAE ordinary passports are not exempt and not listed for Somalia visa on arrival, the verdict is eVisa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19
Visa type
eVisa (eTAS electronic travel authorization)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
Fee shown on official portal at payment; non-refundable
consular fee only
Processing time
Apply well in advance; processing time not officially guaranteed
standard track
Validity
Use within the validity / travel dates shown on the approved eTAS
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your UAE ordinary passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date in Somalia and has at least one blank page.
· 6+ months validity· 1 blank page
/02
Open the official eVisa portal
Go to the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency eVisa/eTAS portal at evisa.gov.so (or etas.gov.so). Avoid unofficial third-party sites that add markups.
· evisa.gov.so· Official ICA portal
/03
Complete the online application
Fill in personal and passport details, travel purpose (tourism/short visit), arrival airport, accommodation contact in Somalia, and sponsor or Letter of Guarantee details if requested by the portal.
· Tourism purpose· Accommodation· Sponsor details
/04
Upload documents
Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a recent passport photo or selfie as specified by the portal.
· Passport scan· Photo/selfie
/05
Pay the eVisa fee
Pay the applicable non-refundable fee shown by the official portal with an accepted online payment method.
· Online payment· Non-refundable
/06
Receive and print the eVisa
Wait for approval by email, then download the PDF eVisa. Print it and carry it to present to the airline at check-in and to immigration on arrival.
· PDF by email· Print copy
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United Arab Emirates -> Somalia · eVisa (eTAS electronic travel authorization)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUAE ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival with a blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Somalia eVisa (eTAS) PDF printed
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport photo or selfie uploaded
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation (hotel booking) or invitation in Somalia
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
ConditionalSponsor code / sponsor letter / Letter of Guarantee if requested
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RequiredReturn or onward travel ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredAccepted online payment method for the portal fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedArrival via an airport served by the federal eVisa (e.g., Mogadishu, Bosaso)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/health insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedNote Somaliland (Hargeisa) requires a separate visa
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Application link included: Somalia Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa/eTAS government feeShown on portalPaid online on the official portal; public official pages say fees are paid online but do not publish a stable current amount
Optional third-party service feeUSD 20-100+Charged by agencies if you apply through them instead of the official portal; avoidable
Card/processing surchargeUSD 0-5Possible international card or currency conversion charge
Total estimatePortal feePortal fee + optional surchargesincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Buffer for delays/peak periods
Extra buffer recommended
Build in extra time and avoid relying on same-day approval unless the official portal explicitly confirms it.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Mandatory eTAS applies to UAE ordinary passports
Somalia's AIC A 10/2025 requires foreign passport holders to have an eTA unless exempt; UAE ordinary passports are not listed among the visa-free or visa-on-arrival exemptions.
High
/02
Visa on arrival exists only for listed countries
The official AIC keeps visa on arrival for countries such as Djibouti, Ethiopia, Burundi, Mauritania, Tanzania, Uganda, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and Comoros, but not the UAE.
High
/03
Passport not valid 6 months / no blank page
Applications and entry can be refused if the passport does not meet the six-month validity and blank-page requirements.
Medium
/04
Applying via unofficial sites
Using non-government portals can lead to inflated fees or fraud; apply only on evisa.gov.so / etas.gov.so.
Medium
/05
Confusing Somaliland with federal Somalia
Hargeisa (Somaliland) runs a separate visa regime; the federal eVisa does not cover entry there.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-19 · major
United Arab Emirates to Somalia route reverified
Kept eVisa/eTAS verdict for UAE ordinary passports, added checked-date, replaced third-party source with SCAA AIC A 10/2025 and embassy sources, and narrowed visa-on-arrival/exemption wording to the official country lists.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UAE passport holders need a visa for Somalia?
Yes. UAE ordinary passport holders must obtain a Somalia eVisa/eTAS online before travel. UAE is not listed among Somalia's visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries in AIC A 10/2025.
How much does the Somalia eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay in Somalia on the eVisa?+
How long does the eVisa take to process?+
Where do I apply for the Somalia eVisa?+
Does the eVisa cover Somaliland (Hargeisa)?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United Arab Emirates passport

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