Lost Your Somalia eTA Reference Number? Here’s How to Recover It (2025 Guide)

You’ve carefully filled out your Somalia eTA application on the official etas.gov.so website, clicked submit, saw the payment options… and now you realize you don’t have your Application Reference Number (Ref No)? Panic sets in. Did you close the window too fast after choosing “Pay Later”? Did you encounter a rare glitch after clicking “Pay Now”?

Relax, this happens more often than you might think, and it can leave you feeling completely stuck, especially when the system prevents you from starting over. This guide explains exactly how reference numbers typically get misplaced, the official method to recover it using your passport details, the separate process for paying a pending application, and what to do if you’re blocked from reapplying – including how we can help.

How Somalia eTA Reference Numbers Get Misplaced

Losing track of the Ref No usually happens *after* you’ve successfully submitted the application form but *before* completing payment or properly saving the crucial number shown on screen.

• Choosing “Pay Later” & Closing Window: This is the most common scenario. After submission, the system displays a “Pending Payment” message including your new Ref No (e.g., Your new reference is: 17XXXXXX) and a download link for a notification. If you close this window without writing down the number or saving the notification, it’s easily lost. Crucially, the official system does NOT send a confirmation email with your Ref No for “Pay Later” applications at this stage.
• Accidentally Closing the Payment Window (“Pay Now”): If you choose “Pay Now”, you’re typically taken directly to the payment screen. If this window gets closed before payment is completed, you might not have noted the Ref No shown on the brief confirmation screen right after submission. (Note: If payment *is* successful, you *will* receive confirmation emails).
• The Rare “Pay Now” Glitch Requiring Manual Ref No Entry: In very infrequent cases, clicking “Pay Now” might redirect you to an *intermediate* manual payment page. This page unexpectedly asks you to enter your **Reference Number**, Passport Number, and Payment Method *without* having auto-filled the Ref No you were just assigned. In this rare glitch, you’re stuck because you weren’t clearly shown or given time to save the Ref No before being asked for it.

The Official Solution: Recovering Your Ref No Using Passport Details

Fortunately, the official etas.gov.so website provides a tool to retrieve your lost Reference Number, using the core details from your passport.

1. Go to the official eTA homepage: etas.gov.so
2. Find and click the link labeled “Forgot Application Reference“.
3. A window titled “Receive Reference Number” will appear.
4. Carefully enter the following three pieces of information exactly as they appear on your passport’s bio page:

Carefully enter the following three pieces of information exactly as they appear on your passport’s bio page:

Passport Number
Surname ( Last Name as shown on the passport)
Date of Birth (as shown on the passport)

1. Click the “Continue” button.
2. If the details match an application stored in the system, a browser pop-up alert will appear stating: “etas.gov.so says Your Reference Is: 17XXXXXX“.

Save this number immediately! Write it down, take a screenshot, copy and paste it somewhere safe. This number is your key.

Next Step: Paying for Your Application with the Recovered Ref No

Once you have your Reference Number back, you can proceed to pay for your application if you initially chose “Pay Later” or didn’t complete the payment. This requires using a different function on the official website:

1. Return to the etas.gov.so homepage.
2. Click the option “Pay for your application“.
3. Enter your recovered Reference Number, your Passport Number, and select the Payment Method (Card Payment).
4. Click “Continue“.
5. This should take you to the secure payment window to complete the fee payment.

Want to Start Over but Can’t? The Frustration of eTAS Application Errors

Maybe you rushed through your first eTAS application — submitted it quickly, missed a detail, or worried you made a mistake. Now you’d rather start fresh with a new application.

But when you try to submit a new form using the same passport, an error message appears:
“You already have a valid visa or active application.”

You hesitate. If you continue and pay for the existing application, you fear it might get rejected or delayed due to possible errors. Yet, if you try to start over, the system won’t let you.

This happens because your original submission — even if unpaid or incomplete — is permanently linked to your passport number in the eTAS system. The system is designed to prevent duplicate active applications, so it automatically blocks any new attempt using the same passport.

The real problem is that the official website doesn’t offer any way to cancel, delete, or edit your previous submission. As a result, you’re stuck in limbo: unable to fix your old application and unable to create a new one.

Our Solution: Application Removal Service for a Clean Slate

If you’re caught in this frustrating loop – blocked from reapplying due to an old, inaccessible, or incorrect application – SomaliaETA offers a unique solution.

Leveraging our established contacts within the Somali Immigration Agency, we can formally request the **removal of your existing application record** from the eTAS system. Our insiders can typically process this request within 5-10 working hours (often significantly faster). Once the old record is confirmed as removed, you will be completely free to submit a brand new application without triggering the “duplicate application” error, allowing you to apply carefully and correctly.

This application removal is a manual process requiring intervention by officials, and therefore involves a small service fee. It’s the ideal solution for travelers who need to ensure their submitted application is accurate and want a fresh start. If you need your previous application record cleared, please reach out to discuss this service.

Need Help Applying Correctly This Time?

Once your path is clear for a new application (either because you recovered your old Ref No and paid, got your old application removed, or are applying for the first time), let us ensure it’s done perfectly. Our expert team at SomaliaETA offers full application assistance:

• Standard Service (72-Hour Guarantee): We meticulously review every detail, pre-verify sponsor letters, submit the application for you, and guarantee approval within 72 hours.
• Premium Service (Under 24-Hour Guarantee): Includes all benefits of Standard, plus guaranteed approval in less than 24 hours for your urgent travel needs.

Using our service eliminates the risk of costly errors, guarantees processing speed, and is backed by our unique 100% money-back guarantee (which even covers the government fee for applications we fully pre-verify and submit).

Lost Reference Number FAQs