Somalia — Passport and Visa Information
Passports
| Country | Passport Required | Visa Required | Return Ticket Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Valid passport for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Visa Note
(a) Visitors to Somaliland should register with their embassy or high commission representing their country in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and to other parts of Somalia with their embassy or high commission in Nairobi, Kenya. (b) Upon arrival, all visitors (except those under 18 years of age) must exchange US$100 or equivalent into local currency. Please note that the exact amount to be exchanged may vary according to region. (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
The Somali Embassy in London closed in 1992, due to the civil war. Somalia is now effectively treated as three different areas for visas. Contact the UK Somaliland Mission for visas for Somaliland and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism for visas for Puntland (see Important Addresses). For the rest of Somalia, contact the Somali embassies in Kenya, Egypt, Djibouti or Tanzania.
Types of Visa and Cost
Contact your nearest embassy or mission for further information. Prices vary according to nationality and part of Somalia visited.
Validity
Dependent on nationality.
Applications to:
See above.
Travel Warnings
The Somali President declared a state of emergency on 22 June 2009. Insurgent activity and political tension remains high. Reporting indicates a likely major confrontation in the coming weeks of March 2010.
All travel to Somalia is advised against because of the dangerous level of criminal activity and internal insecurity. Fighting between the Islamic Courts' militias and those loyal to the warlord in Mogadishu, Balad, Jowhar and Beletweyne earlier in 2006 has now ceased. But tensions remain high. Westerners and those working for western organizations have also been targeted.
Polio remains a major problem in Somalia. With cases occurring outside of the capital there remains the risk of continued spread of wild polio both in Somalia and to neighboring countries.
Piracy has been a major problem along the Somali coastline.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Somalia against Western interests. Those foreign nationals deciding to remain in or visit Somalia despite advice to the contrary, should take strong security precautions.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Health Care
Medical facilities are very limited and visitors are advised to take their own medicines with them. Health insurance is essential. Medical treatment at government-run hospitals and dispensaries is free for Somalians and may sometimes be free for visitors.
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Special Precaution |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | Yes |
