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🇸🇴SomaliaIT-SO

Italy to Somalia visa requirements

Italian passport holders need an eVisa (eTAS) before traveling to Somalia. Since 1 September 2025 it is mandatory, must be obtained online in advance, and visa-on-arrival is no longer available. A sponsor/invitation letter from an approved Somali organization is required. Italy (ordinary passport) holders are NOT visa-free for Somalia and cannot obtain a visa on arrival. Since 1 September 2025 Somalia operates a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization System (eTAS / eVisa) administered by the Immigration and Citizenship Agency. Every foreign visitor, including infants, must apply online and receive approval before boarding; travelers arriving without an approved eTAS are denied entry. A single-entry tourist eVisa costs about USD 65, is valid for 90 days to enter, permits a stay of up to 30 days, and standard processing takes roughly 3-7 working days. A distinguishing feature of the Somali system is the mandatory sponsor: tourists must select an approved Sponsor Organization and obtain an official invitation/guarantee letter ("Warqad Dammaanad") as part of the application. A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. Note that Somalia carries severe security travel advisories; this guidance covers visa formalities only.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (Electronic Travel Authorization / eTAS) - mandatory, obtained online before travel
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single entry (standard tourist eVisa)
from issue date
Visa fee
Approximately USD 65
consular fee only
Processing time
Approximately 3-7 working days (standard)
standard track
Validity
90 days to enter from issue; max 30-day stay
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Secure a sponsor and invitation letter
Choose an approved Somali Sponsor Organization (licensed tour agency or registered business) from the official list and obtain a signed invitation/guarantee letter (Warqad Dammaanad) plus your sponsor code. This is mandatory before you can complete the application.
· Required document· Approved sponsor only
/02
Gather your documents
Prepare a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond travel, a digital passport-style photo on a plain white background, the sponsor letter/code, your itinerary, and an international debit or credit card for payment.
· Passport 6 months validity· Digital photo
/03
Apply on the official eVisa portal
Complete the online application at the Immigration and Citizenship Agency portal (etas.gov.so / immigration.gov.so), entering your personal and passport details and uploading the required documents.
· etas.gov.so· Apply in advance
/04
Pay the eVisa fee online
Pay the application fee (about USD 65) by international credit or debit card directly on the government portal. Avoid third parties that add markups unless they are licensed sponsors.
· Card payment· USD 65
/05
Wait for email approval
Standard processing is roughly 3-7 working days. Apply at least 1-2 weeks before departure to allow for sponsor coordination and review.
· 3-7 working days
/06
Print the approval and travel
Print the approved eTAS/eVisa and carry it with your passport and sponsor letter. You must present the approval on arrival; without it you will be denied entry and boarding.
· Carry printout· Present on arrival
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Italy -> Somalia · eVisa (Electronic Travel Authorization / eTAS) - mandatory, obtained online before travel
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond travel with blank pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Sponsor Organization selected from the official list
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredInvitation / guarantee letter (Warqad Dammaanad) and sponsor code
Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements
required
RequiredDigital passport-style photo on plain white background
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredApproved eTAS/eVisa printout to present on arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredInternational credit or debit card for the online fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedConfirmed accommodation and travel itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedComprehensive travel and medical insurance (security situation)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedYellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic area
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: Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist eVisa (eTAS) feeUSD 65Single-entry tourist authorization, paid online on the government portal
Sponsor / invitation letterVariesCharged by the approved sponsor organization or licensed tour agency
Expedited / agency processingVaries (optional)Optional faster handling via licensed operators, on top of the base fee
Total estimateUSD 65USD 150+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Expedited processing
1-3 working days
Faster handling offered by some licensed sponsor operators for an additional fee.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-waiver agreement with Somalia
Italy has no visa-free or visa-waiver arrangement with Somalia, so an authorization is required for all visits.
High
/02
Mandatory eTAS since 1 September 2025
Somalia replaced visa-on-arrival with a compulsory online eTAS/eVisa that must be approved before boarding.
High
/03
Missing sponsor / invitation letter
Tourists must have an approved sponsor and guarantee letter; applications without one are rejected.
Medium
/04
Passport validity under 6 months
A passport with less than 6 months validity will lead to a refused eVisa or denied boarding.
Medium
/05
Arriving without prior approval
Since visa-on-arrival was abolished, travelers without an approved eTAS are denied entry at the airport.
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
Italy to Somalia route verified
Confirmed Somalia's mandatory eTAS/eVisa system (effective 1 September 2025) applies to Italian passport holders; verified fee (~USD 65), 30-day stay, single entry, and sponsor-letter requirement against the Immigration and Citizenship Agency and embassy sources.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Italian citizens get a Somalia visa on arrival?
No. Since 1 September 2025 visa-on-arrival was abolished. You must obtain an approved eTAS/eVisa online before traveling; arriving without it results in denied entry.
How much does the Somalia eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay in Somalia on a tourist eVisa?+
Do I really need a sponsor or invitation letter?+
How long does processing take?+
Is it safe to travel to Somalia?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Italy passport

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