Home/from/Canada/to/Somalia
🇨🇦Canada
🇸🇴SomaliaCA-SO

Canada to Somalia visa requirements

Canadian passport holders need a visa to visit Somalia. Since September 1, 2025, Somalia requires a mandatory electronic visa (eTAS/eVisa) obtained online before travel; there is no visa-free or on-arrival entry for Canadians. A Canadian ordinary passport holder must obtain a Somalia eVisa (eTAS) before arrival. Effective September 1, 2025, the Federal Government of Somalia introduced a mandatory electronic visa system administered by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), accessible at etas.gov.so / evisa.gov.so. The tourist eVisa is single-entry, costs USD 65 paid online by card, permits a stay of up to 30 days, and must be used to enter within a window (commonly cited as 180 days from the requested arrival date, with the document valid 90 days before entry). Standard processing is roughly 3 to 10 business days. There is no visa-on-arrival or visa-free option for Canadians, and applications must be completed before departure. Note that Somalia is not part of the Schengen area, so the 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Separately, the Canadian government's travel advisory for Somalia is "Avoid all travel" due to security risks, and the self-declared region of Somaliland (entry via Hargeisa/Egal International Airport) has different, separate entry procedures from the federal eVisa.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
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.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe Canada (PR)Living in Canada as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (eTAS) - electronic tourist/visit visa
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 65
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 3-10 business days
standard track
Validity
Enter within 180 days of approved arrival date; document issued for the single approved trip
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your Canadian passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in Somalia and has a blank page.
· 6-month validity· Ordinary passport
/02
Open the official eTAS portal
Go to the Somalia Immigration and Citizenship Agency eVisa system at etas.gov.so (also reachable via evisa.gov.so). Avoid third-party agents charging extra fees.
· etas.gov.so· Official ICA portal
/03
Complete the online application
Provide personal and passport details, travel dates, purpose (tourism/visit), and contact details for your accommodation in Somalia.
· Online form· Tourism purpose
/04
Upload supporting documents
Upload a scan of your passport bio-data page (valid 6+ months) and a recent passport-size photo with a white background.
· Passport scan· Photo
/05
Pay the visa fee online
Pay the USD 65 fee using an international debit or credit card through the secure government portal.
· USD 65· Card payment
/06
Receive and print the eVisa
After approval (typically 3-10 business days), download and print the eVisa/eTAS confirmation to present on arrival.
· Print confirmation· Carry at border
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Canada -> Somalia · eVisa (eTAS) - electronic tourist/visit visa
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredCanadian passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Somalia eTAS/eVisa (printed copy)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-size photo, white background
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed accommodation address/contact in Somalia
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RequiredUSD 65 paid via international credit/debit card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
conditional
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance given the high-risk advisory
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredNote: Somaliland (Hargeisa) entry uses a separate process
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
informational
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: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia (USA) - How to Apply for the Somali eVisa Online
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa (eTAS) tourist visa feeUSD 65Single-entry, paid online by international card via the official ICA portal
Third-party service fee (optional)USD 20-90Only if using a commercial agent; not required when applying directly
Passport photoCAD 15-20If you need a new compliant passport-size photo
Total estimateUSD 65USD 155incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Last-minute application
Same window, no guarantee
There is no official expedited tier; applying close to departure risks not receiving approval in time.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for Canadians
Somalia does not grant Canadian ordinary passport holders visa-free or on-arrival entry; an eVisa must be obtained beforehand.
High
/02
Mandatory eTAS system since September 1, 2025
The Federal Government of Somalia made the electronic visa (eTAS) compulsory for all travelers, replacing prior on-arrival practices.
High
/03
Tourism and short visits both require the same eVisa
Short tourist or visit trips fall under the single-entry eVisa with a 30-day maximum stay.
Medium
/04
High security risk advisory
Canada advises avoiding all travel to Somalia, which affects insurance, consular support, and practical entry.
Medium
/05
Somaliland uses a separate entry regime
Travel via Hargeisa (Egal International Airport) follows different rules from the federal eVisa.
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
2026-05-30 · major
Canada to Somalia route verified
Verified that Canadian ordinary passport holders require a mandatory eVisa (eTAS), in force since September 1, 2025; single entry, USD 65, 30-day stay, processing 3-10 business days. Confirmed via Somali embassy, ICA, and official eVisa portal.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Canadians get a Somalia visa on arrival?
No. Since September 1, 2025, Somalia requires a mandatory electronic visa (eTAS) obtained online before travel. Visa-on-arrival is no longer the standard route for Canadians.
How much does the Somalia eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay in Somalia on the eVisa?+
How long does eVisa processing take?+
Is Somalia part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?+
What is the official website to apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Canada passport

See something wrong on this page?
Policies change. If something looks off, tell us — we review every report within 48 hours.