Somalia entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): At least 6 months after the day you arrive
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Somalia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 4 June 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Somalia, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Australian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Do I need a visa for Somalia with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it: its first sentence has conditions or a wording we do not turn into a one-line answer.
You must have a visa to enter Somalia, including Somaliland.
More from the FCDO visa section (extensions, border checks and other cases)
E-Visa data breach
There are reports of a data breach affecting Somalia’s eVisa system
Leaked data from the breach includes visa applicants’ names, photos, dates and places of birth, email addresses, marital status, and home addresses. This data breach is ongoing and could expose any personal data you enter into the system,
An eVisa is required before travelling to Somalia. Consider the risks before applying.
US Embassy in Somalia have also issued an alert to US citizens. See - Alert: Federal Republic of Somalia (FGS) Electronic Visa (E-Visa) Data Breach - U.S. Embassy in Somalia.
If you are travelling to Mogadishu International Airport, you will need to apply for an eVisa prior to your arrival.
If you are travelling to Hargeisa International Airport, you may still be asked to present this eVisa in order to board your flight but it will not be considered valid for entry when you arrive in Hargeisa.
You will need to purchase a single-entry visa upon arrival at Hargeisa International Airport, which will be valid for one month.
It is not clear if you’ll be given a visa on arrival at other points of entry. Get confirmation from local authorities or your sponsoring organisation.
You may also need to provide a letter of invitation when you arrive, outlining the reason for your visit. You can usually get this from your place of work. Without this letter, you may not be allowed to enter.
Official source: GOV.UK – Somalia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 4 June 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Somalia, including Somaliland, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Official source: GOV.UK – Somalia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 4 June 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Somalia
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 14 November 2025: “New information about a data breach to Somalia’s eVisa system (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 29 September 2025: “New information about the new eVisa system (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 21 June 2022: “Updated information on entry to Somaliland if you’re fully vaccinated ('Entry requirements' page)”
- 16 June 2022: “Updated information on entry requirements for Somalia ('Entry requirements' page)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Somalia (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (6 months after arrival)
and 79 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status