Somalia’s president declared this week that ethnically Somali people traveling to Somalia will not be allowed in without an entry visa, sparking concern and confusion in Somali communities across Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and elsewhere.
“Before, being a Somali was enough to enter Somalia. Now, obtaining an entry visa is mandatory,” said an Ethiopian Somali who often makes trips to Mogadishu for business purposes.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s new visa rules mark a shift toward stricter immigration policies in the country.
“You cannot enter another country with a Somali passport without a visa. In the same way, a foreigner—or a Somali citizen with a foreign passport—cannot enter our country without a visa,” said the President.
He also underlined that there would be no exceptions based on race, background, or heritage.
“A person with a foreign passport, whether Somali or white, is the same,” Mohamud told the audience.
He reminded citizens that Somali passports do not currently allow visa-free entry into any other country.
“Is there a Somali passport that allows you to go to any foreign country without a visa? The answer is no. Likewise, you cannot enter Somalia without a visa on a foreign passport,” he said.
The president’s decree treats Somali citizens as ‘foreigners’, resulting in Somali citizens already criticizing the president’s new move. At least over 2 million Somali diaspora in Europe and North America are expected to be affected.
This policy comes just weeks after the government launched its new electronic visa, or E-Visa, program on September 1. The system is part of Somalia’s wider push to modernize its institutions and services by moving processes online. The E-Visa platform is designed to make travel procedures more efficient, transparent, and accessible while also strengthening the country’s border management and security.
For decades, Somalia’s immigration system has faced challenges due to instability, weak governance, and lack of digital infrastructure. Many travelers, including members of the Somali diaspora, had grown accustomed to informal or inconsistent entry processes.
The government now hopes that the E-Visa will not only standardize the rules but also project a stronger image of Somalia as it seeks greater integration into the global community.
The decision is also seen as part of Somalia’s broader efforts to strengthen national sovereignty. Over the past three years, the government has worked to expand security, rebuild state institutions, and introduce reforms aimed at improving governance.
Digitalization has become one of the administration’s major achievements, with several public services now accessible online. Officials say this is a significant step forward for a country that has long struggled with outdated systems and inefficiency.
