Everything You Need To Know About Somalia
Visa
Citizens
of all foreign countries can obtain a visa on arrival at the Somalia entry
port, and can stay in the country for a maximum period of 30 days.
However,
travelers should make sure that they are entering through the airports
mentioned below to avail the privilege of visa on arrival.
- Bosaso
Airport in Bosaso
- Garowe
Airport in Garowe
- Abdullahi
Yusuf Airport in Gaalkayo
- Aden
Adde International Airport in Mogadishu
- Kismayo
Airport in Kismayo
Travelers
from the United Kingdom visiting Somalia are very rare due to the country’s
internal problems, and existing violence.
However, people who intend to visit
Somalia should meet the conditions mentioned below.
- The
passport of the applicant should have a minimum validity of six months. The
passport should also have sufficient blank pages for markings.
- Yellow
fever vaccination is not a must to enter Somalia, but most countries that fly
in and out of Somalia should require proof of vaccination.
- A
letter of invitation from Somalia should be submitted to get a visa. If you do
not have a letter of invitation, you can also submit the hotel room booking
reservation confirmation.
- The
visa application form to obtain Somalia visa should be completed without any
errors.
Note:
UK nationals visiting Somalia should register with the High Commission in
Nairobi, Kenya, as there are no embassies located within Somalia. In order to
get the visa, travelers should pay US$ 60, and this amount may vary, as the
laws are subject to change.
Warning:
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office currently advices all their citizens not
to visit Somalia due to security reasons.
The
government of Somalia and authorities in Somaliland will consider anyone with
Somali descent as a dual British and Somalia national. In these circumstances, the
British government will not be capable enough to give sufficient consular
services.
Tips to take care while visiting Somalia
Somalia is a country which cannot be considered safe to travel, as there is a dangerous level of criminal activity by armed men throughout the country.
Everyday, number of kidnapping, murders and shooting incidents used to get reported in the country, and it clearly indicates the unsafe nature of Somalia.
It should be also noted that there is also an ongoing series of violence between opposite factions in many parts of the country. Several civilians are being killed in the country in a daily basis, and travelers from the United Kingdom should think thrice before planning to visit Somalia.
In Somalia, humanitarian needs are pretty high, as millions of people in the country are facing problems related to food and shelter.
The displacement of people and overpopulated refugee camps may lead to a significant rise in the spread of diseases, and increased risk of crime due to demand for food.
Terrorism has apparently spread its clutches in all nooks of Somalia. There is a high threat to westerners including the citizens of the United Kingdom, and attacks can be expected in hotels and restaurants where foreign nationals stay.
There is a threat of kidnapping too in Somalia. It should be noted that a number of British nationals were kidnapped, and some of them were even killed over the past few years.
So, always make sure that UK nationals visiting Somalia should take proper care and security measures while traveling across the country.
Travelers visiting Somalia through water should also take sufficient precautions, as there is a high threat of maritime crime in the territorial waters.
When it comes to law, the government in Somalia has embraced Sharia laws throughout the country, which indicates that any unlawful activity in the country will be met with strict punishments that includes death penalty.