HARGEISA — Somaliland has formally declared that visas or travel authorizations issued by the Federal Government of Somalia are null and void within its borders, in a sweeping new directive aimed at tightening territorial control and reinforcing immigration sovereignty.
In an official notice released Sunday, the Somaliland Immigration and Border Control Department announced:
“Visas or travel authorizations issued by Somalia are not valid for entry into the Republic of Somaliland. Such documents will not be recognized at any Somaliland border point.
Individuals presenting these documents will be refused entry and may be subject to lawful procedures in line with national immigration regulations.”
The directive marks one of the clearest and most assertive statements yet regarding Somaliland’s independent border and visa regime.
It comes amid escalating diplomatic friction between Hargeisa and Mogadishu—particularly following Somalia’s controversial rollout of a federal e-Visa system, which Somaliland leaders have condemned as unlawful and intrusive.
Visa Rules Clarified for Foreign Travelers
The new guidance reiterates that all foreign nationals wishing to enter Somaliland must use Somaliland-recognized channels. Eligible travelers may obtain:
Visa on Arrival at Hargeisa’s Egal International Airport (HGA) or Berbera International Airport (BBO),
orA pre-approved Entry Permit Visa from a Somaliland Embassy, Mission, or Consulate abroad.
Accredited diplomatic locations include Kenya, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Taiwan, Turkey, Djibouti, and other officially recognized missions.
The statement further emphasized that:
“Holders of a valid Somaliland Entry Permit Visa or a Somaliland Residence Visa may enter through any officially designated border crossing, subject to standard immigration inspection.”
A Firm Assertion of Sovereignty
The directive signals a strong reassertion of Somaliland’s long-standing position that its borders, airspace, and immigration policies are fully independent from those of Mogadishu. It effectively blocks Somalia’s recent attempts to extend federal administrative authority over Somaliland’s travel systems.
The move also aligns with Hargeisa’s broader push to consolidate control over airspace, maritime entry points, and cross-border mobility—key pillars of its campaign for international recognition.
WARYATV will continue monitoring developments as the policy takes effect across all ports of entry.
