Embassy
Embassy of the United States, Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Somalia visa requirements for American citizens
American citizens need an eVisa for Somalia. Apply on the official website.
Passport
USA
United States
Going to
SOM
Somalia
eVisa
An online visa for people visiting Somalia for a holiday.
- Visa
- eVisa
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for American citizens in Somalia
- All visitors must have an approved Electronic Visa (eTAS) before the start of their journey.
- The U.S. government advises its citizens not to visit Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping, piracy, and lack of availability of routine consular services.
What to do
Apply on Somalia's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo.
Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
Enter on the dates and through the ports the eVisa allows.
Get your Somalia visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Somalia
Apply online, unless your passport allows entry without a visa.
eVisaTourist eVisaAn online visa for people visiting Somalia for a holiday.
How to apply
- Open etas.gov.so.
- Fill in the form and upload the requested documents.
- Pay the online fee.
- Wait for approval by email before travel.
- Print your approval and carry it.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Documents requested by the portal
- Hotel booking
- The current fee, stay limit and wait time are not confirmed.
eVisaOnline entry approvalApply online for entry approval based on your reason for travel.
How to apply
- Open etas.gov.so.
- Fill in the form and upload the requested documents.
- Pay the fee.
- Wait for approval by email before travel.
- Print your approval and show it on arrival.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Documents for your travel purpose
- You may see this system called eTAS or eVisa.
- Entry options and their current terms are not fully published.
Visa on arrivalNew EUCAP staff visaNew EUCAP staff without a mission ID can get an arrival visa.
How to apply
- Get your official EUCAP Letter of Assignment.
- Show the letter and your passport on arrival.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Official EUCAP Letter of Assignment
- EUCAP is the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia.
- The assignment letter can replace the mission ID card.
Sources (13)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Immigration and Citizenship Agency — official website and portal link
- Immigration and Citizenship Agency — visa, work, residence and border services
- Immigration and Citizenship Agency — electronic visa system launch
- Official Electronic Travel Authorisation System — linked by immigration; contents inaccessible during check
- Somali Civil Aviation Authority — Circular A 03/2026; indexed official text read, live URL under maintenance
- Somali Civil Aviation Authority — November 2025 entry and transit requirements; indexed text read
- Somali Embassy in the United States — online visa application
- Somali Embassy in the United States — visit purposes and passport guidance; mixed older content
- Somali Embassy in Sweden — electronic visa requirements and online-only processing
- Somali mission in Geneva — electronic visa purposes, steps and documents
- Somalia Investment Promotion Office — visa types; older universal arrival procedure conflicts with newer rules
- Tourism ministry — indicative visa table and inconsistent portal-launch wording
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — indexed homepage has Visa Information heading; substantive visa guidance not retrieved
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from United States
- Plugs C GAdapter needed
- MoneySOS Sh
- Time+15h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageArabic
- Emergency888 police999 ambulance
Planning your Somalia trip
Best time to go: For milder weather in Mogadishu, May to October is the mildest period, and December to February is also relatively mild. These weather conditions do not make travel safe.
- Liido BeachA beach near Mogadishu where families often go at weekends. Security risks remain serious, and women must swim fully clothed.
- Gezira BeachAnother beach near Mogadishu, described as beautiful. Banditry and piracy along the coast make visits risky.
- Taleh Dhulbahante garesaA historic fort built during the era of the Darawiish sultan Diiriye Guure.
- Las Anod Dhulbahante garesaAnother fort from the era of Sultan Diiriye Guure. Las Anod regularly experiences shelling and is especially dangerous.
Scams to watch for in Somalia
About Somalia
Somalia is a federal republic on the Horn of Africa, with the longest coastline in mainland Africa.
- Capital
- Mogadishu
- Money
- Somali shilling (Sh)
- Languages
- Arabic, Somali
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +252
Other Americas passports
Going to Somalia
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Somalia with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for American citizens visiting Somalia?
Do american citizens need a visa for Somalia?
American citizens need an eVisa for Somalia. Apply on the official website.
How long can american citizens stay in Somalia?
Up to 30 days each visit with the evisa rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Where do I apply online for Somalia?
Only on Somalia's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help american citizens enter Somalia?
We have no record of Somalia relaxing its rules for american citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do somali citizens need a visa for the United States?
Entry to the United States is restricted for somali citizens: a visa plus special approval.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Somalia?
Guatemala, Honduras and Uruguay can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Somalia are easier for american citizens?
Mauritius, Seychelles, Zambia, Burundi Comoros, and 3 more let american citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Somalia?
Apply on Somalia's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo. Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
What money is used in Somalia?
Somali shilling (Sh). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Somalia?
Arabic and Somali.
Reviewed by @snuck