Somaliland nullifies visas for Somali passport holders as tensions with Mogadishu deepen

HARGEISA, Somaliland — November 11, 2025 (Running Africa) - According to a directive from the Somaliland Ministry of Immigration and Border Control, all foreign nationals must now obtain a visa upon arrival at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa, Berbera Airport, or apply in advance at a Somaliland embassy or consulate. The ministry also confirmed that all aircraft entering Somaliland’s airspace are now required to secure an overflight or landing permitfrom the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Somaliland Tightens Border Rules, Rejects External Visas

In its statement, the Immigration Ministry said the updated Visa on Arrival system is designed to streamline air travel while boosting economic activity, especially in business, tourism, and humanitarian operations. However, it issued a strong warning:

“No Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or visa issued by any external authority other than the Somaliland Immigration Authority is valid for entry into the Republic of Somaliland.”

The announcement is widely viewed as a direct response to the Somali Federal Government’s centralized E-Visa system, introduced on September 1, 2023. The system requires all international travelers to obtain an electronic visa before departure—an initiative strongly condemned by both Somaliland and Puntland, which argued that Mogadishu has no authority to regulate their borders.

Visa Policy Rift Escalates Amid Somalia's Worsening Cybersecurity Crisis

The diplomatic standoff comes at a time when Somalia is grappling with a series of major data breaches, particularly within its digital visa application system. In recent weeks, thousands of sensitive personal records have been exposed online, including:

• Passport photos
• Identification documents
• Personal data belonging to foreign applicants, diplomats, and aid workers

A leak circulating on X (formerly Twitter) revealed documents from applicants in the United Kingdom, the United States, and multiple humanitarian organizations, raising serious concerns over data security in Somalia’s digital infrastructure.

A Long-running Sovereignty Dispute

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, maintains its own government, constitution, military, and currency. Despite operating as a de facto sovereign state for more than three decades, it remains internationally unrecognized, fueling continuous friction with Mogadishu over territorial authority, airspace management, and border control.

The latest visa restrictions underscore the deepening divide between the two sides, potentially setting the stage for yet another diplomatic showdown in the Horn of Africa.