If you are planning a trip to Mogadishu, Hargeisa, or Garowe in 2025, you have likely encountered the new Somalia eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system. While the digital shift is welcome, the official government portal (etas.gov.so) allows for zero mistakes.
⚠️ Warning: The Non-Refundable Policy
The official website has a strict refund policy: “Once payment is made… fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.” This means if you make a typo, upload a blurry photo, or enter the wrong sponsor code, you lose your $64 immediately.
This guide will walk you through every single step of the application process, exactly as it appears on the official screen.
Step 1: The Two Types of Applicants
Before you begin, you must know which category you fall into. The application form changes completely based on this choice:
- Foreigner (Ajnabi): Any non-Somali citizen. Requirement: You MUST have a valid Sponsor Code and Sponsor Letter from a local organization.
- Somali Diaspora (Qurba Joog): Somalis holding foreign passports. Benefit: You are exempt from the Sponsor Code and Letter requirements.
Step 2: Account Registration
You cannot simply apply; you must register first.
- Go to
etas.gov.soand click “Apply Now”. - Select “I am a Tourist/Visitor”.
- A popup will ask you to Sign In. Click “Register Valid Email Address”.
- Enter your email, confirm it, and select your country code for your phone number.
Pro Tip: The system will verify your email but oddly does not verify your phone number via OTP. However, the activation link sent to your email often lands in Spam/Junk. Check there immediately.
Step 3: The Application Form (Detailed Walkthrough)
Once you activate your account and log in, the system takes you directly to the Personal Information section (there is no eligibility check step).
A. Personal Information
You will be asked to upload the Bio Page of your passport. The system attempts to auto-fill your data.
- Common Bug: The auto-fill often misses fields like “Marital Status” or “City of Residence.” You must manually fill these.
- Required Fields: Passport Type (usually Ordinary), Expiry Date, and Place of Birth.
B. The “Selfie” Upload
The system asks for a “Selfie or Passport-Type Photo.” While the upload filter is currently loose (it might accept non-face images technically), do not risk this. A human immigration officer reviews this later. If you upload a poor-quality selfie, your visa will be denied at the final stage.
C. Travel Information & The “Sponsor Code” Error
This is where 90% of Foreigner (Ajnabi) applications fail.
The form asks for a Sponsor Code. If you try to enter a random number or leave it blank, you will see the error: ✗ Invalid sponsor code or organization not active.
What is a Sponsor Code? It is a unique ID tied to a registered hotel, tour agency, or company in Somalia. You cannot generate this yourself. You must obtain it from your host in Mogadishu before applying.
Don’t have a Sponsor Code? If you are a tourist and don’t know anyone in Somalia, you cannot proceed past this step on the official site. Our Agency Service includes Sponsor Code generation for valid tourists.
Step 4: Payment ($64 Non-Refundable)
After declaring that all info is true, you hit the paywall. You will see two options: Pay Now and Pay Later.
- Fee: $64.00 USD.
- Method: Credit/Debit Card only.
- Risk: If your card fails (insufficient funds or bank block), the system may still attempt a micro-charge (e.g., $0.40) which is also non-refundable.
Step 5: The Notification
If successful, you will receive an email from service@etas.gov.so. First, a “Verified” email, and later (if approved), an “Approved” email like the one below:
Note: The approval email does not contain the visa PDF. It contains a manual reference number. You must use the verification link in the email saying Checkc status to download the PDF or log back into the portal then enter your ref no to download.
Is There a Safer Way to Apply?
The official process works if you are tech-savvy, have a valid Sponsor Code ready, and are willing to risk the non-refundable fee on a typo. However, if you want to avoid the stress, our Local Agency in Mogadishu offers a manual alternative:
The Agency Advantage
- No “Sponsor Code” Needed: We arrange the invitation letter and code for you.
- Real Human Support: You don’t pay on our website instantly. First, you submit your form, and then a real agent reviews it and contacts you to help manually.
- Official Authenticity: We don’t send you the approval, you download the actual Visa PDF directly from the official government website (etas.gov.so) using your reference number.
- Refund Guarantee: If we fail, you pay nothing.