Somalia has unveiled a new Electronic Visa and Travel Authorization System (E-Visa/ETAS), marking a major step in modernizing its immigration services.
The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency announced that the system will go live on September 1, 2025, through a dedicated online portal.
The government says the move will simplify travel, enhance transparency, and strengthen national security.
With the rollout, all travelers entering Somalia will be required to apply online for an e-Visa.
Applicants can submit requests from anywhere in the world, with the system designed to cut wait times and streamline approvals.
Isxaaq Hassan Taakow, Director of the Department of Foreigners and Entry Permits, said the platform has built-in checks and balances to ensure efficiency.
A specialized team has been trained to manage it securely.
“This is a modern solution built to serve travelers while protecting national interests,” he noted.
Director General Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow hailed the initiative as a milestone in Somalia’s digital transformation.
“It demonstrates Somalia’s commitment to integration with global systems. It also supports economic growth and safeguards sensitive data,” he said.
Certain groups will remain exempt from the new policy, including holders of multiple-entry visas, diplomatic and UNLP passports, residency permit holders, and citizens from countries with visa-free arrangements with Somalia.
Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag underlined the financial transparency benefits of the system.
“All visa fees will go directly to government accounts, helping to strengthen our financial institutions,” he explained.
The introduction of e-Visa aligns with Somalia’s broader push to attract investment, tourism, and international trade.
It also follows the country’s admission last year into the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc that allows free movement of goods and people among its eight members.
Despite persistent security challenges from Al-Shabaab, officials say the new system signals Somalia’s determination to position itself as a regional economic hub.
