🇫🇷FRANCE

🏳SOFR-SO

Do France passport holders need a visa to visit SO?

Q: Where do I apply for the Somalia eVisa?

On the official Immigration and Citizenship Agency portal at evisa.gov.so. Avoid unofficial third-party websites.

Q: How much does the Somalia eVisa cost?

The single-entry tourist eVisa is around USD 65, paid online by international credit or debit card. Sponsor and expedited fees are extra.

Q: How long can I stay and how long is the eVisa valid?

The single-entry tourist eVisa is generally valid for 90 days from issue (you must enter within that window) and allows a stay of up to 30 days, extendable in-country.

Q: Do I really need a sponsor letter?

Yes. Non-Somali tourists must select a licensed sponsor (tour agency or registered business) and obtain a Letter of Guarantee plus a sponsor code; applications without one usually fail.

Q: Does the eVisa cover Somaliland and Hargeisa?

No. Somaliland (entry via Hargeisa / Egal International Airport) runs a separate visa system; apply for it directly with the Somaliland authorities.

French (FR) ordinary passport holders need an eVisa to enter Somalia. Since 1 September 2025, an online Electronic Visa / Travel Authorization (eVisa/eTAS) is mandatory and visa-on-arrival has been abolished. Apply before travel at the official portal evisa.gov.so. France is not on Somalia's visa-exempt list, so French citizens must obtain a visa before traveling for tourism or a short visit. As of 1 September 2025, Somalia replaced its old visa-on-arrival regime with a mandatory online Electronic Visa / Travel Authorization System (eVisa/eTAS), administered by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) at evisa.gov.so. Travelers who arrive without an approved eVisa cannot obtain one at the airport and will be denied entry. The single-entry tourist eVisa typically costs around USD 65, is valid for 90 days from issue (i.e. you must enter within 90 days), and permits a stay of up to 30 days, extendable in-country. A critical requirement is a sponsor / letter of guarantee ("Warqad Dammaanad") from a licensed Somali tour agency or registered business selected from the official sponsor list. Processing is usually 3-7 working days. Note that Somaliland (entry via Hargeisa / Egal International Airport) operates a separate visa system and is not covered by the federal eVisa. Somalia remains under strong travel advisories from many governments, including France, due to terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict; this guide covers entry documents only, not safety.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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.

France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

eVisa / Electronic Travel Authorization (eTAS), single entry, tourist

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry (extendable in-country)

per entry

Entries

Single entry (multiple-entry options available for some categories)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. USD 65 (single-entry tourist eVisa)

consular fee only

Processing time

Typically 3-7 working days; apply well in advance

standard track

Validity

eVisa valid 90 days from issue (must enter within this window)

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport and sponsor

Ensure your French passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival with a blank page, and secure a sponsor (licensed Somali tour agency or registered business) who will issue a Letter of Guarantee and a sponsor code.

· Passport 6+ months· Sponsor code required

/02

Open the official eVisa portal

Go to the Immigration and Citizenship Agency portal at evisa.gov.so. Do not use unofficial third-party sites, which charge extra and are not the issuing authority.

· evisa.gov.so· Official only

/03

Complete the online application

Fill in personal and travel details, select your sponsor organization from the official list, and choose the tourist single-entry visa category.

· Tourist category

/04

Upload documents and pay

Upload your passport bio page, a passport-style photo/selfie, and the sponsor letter, then pay the fee (approx. USD 65) with an international credit or debit card.

· Card payment· USD ~65

/05

Wait for approval by email

Processing normally takes 3-7 working days. The approved eVisa arrives as a PDF by email.

· 3-7 working days· PDF by email

/06

Print and carry on arrival

Print the approved eVisa and present it with your passport at immigration. Without a valid eVisa you will be refused entry.

· Print copy· No VOA

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

French passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival, with at least one blank page

required

Approved Somalia eVisa printout (PDF)

required

Sponsor / Letter of Guarantee from licensed Somali agency or business

required

Sponsor code obtained from the Immigration Agency

required

Recent passport-style photo or selfie (plain background)

required

International credit/debit card for the online fee

required

Proof of onward/return travel

recommended

Confirmed accommodation or invitation details

recommended

Travel and medical insurance covering Somalia

recommended

Check government travel advisories before booking (high-risk destination)

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Single-entry tourist eVisaUSD 65Paid online on evisa.gov.so by card; figure varies slightly (~USD 60-65)

Sponsor / agency service feeVariesCharged by the licensed Somali sponsor for the guarantee letter; not a government fee

Expedited processing (optional)VariesOffered by licensed operators for faster turnaround

Total estimateUSD 65 — USD 150+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard eVisa processing

3-7 working days

Apply directly on the official evisa.gov.so portal and wait for email approval. Recommended for most travelers; apply well ahead.

Expedited processing

1-3 working days

Faster turnaround offered by licensed sponsor agencies for an additional fee.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

France is not visa-exempt for Somalia

Somalia's visa policy does not grant visa-free entry to French ordinary passport holders, so a visa must be arranged before arrival.

High

/02

Visa-on-arrival abolished in 2025

Since 1 September 2025 the old visa-on-arrival system was replaced by a mandatory online eVisa/eTAS; arriving without one means denied entry.

High

/03

Sponsor / guarantee letter requirement

Non-Somali tourists must be backed by a licensed sponsor and obtain a Letter of Guarantee, a frequent point of confusion and delay.

Medium

/04

Separate system for Somaliland

Entry via Hargeisa (Egal International Airport) uses a separate Somaliland visa, not the federal eVisa.

Medium

/05

Security and advisory considerations

High terrorism and kidnapping risk means extra scrutiny and strong government travel warnings affecting trips.

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

France to Somalia route verified

Confirmed against the official ICA eVisa portal, Somali Embassy guidance and Fragomen that French passport holders require an online eVisa/eTAS (mandatory since 1 September 2025; visa-on-arrival abolished).

/09 — The questions