Hargeisa, October 2025
Travelers arriving in Somaliland are facing growing confusion at airports over visa requirements — a situation that has exposed serious communication gaps within the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development.
The issue, which has led to double payments, denied boarding, and even financial losses for families, is now prompting questions about whether the current leadership can manage Somaliland’s expanding aviation portfolio.
The Problem: Two Systems, One Gate
At the heart of the controversy lies a simple but costly misunderstanding. Travelers booking flights to Hargeisa through international portals are being directed to apply for a Somalia eVisa, assuming it covers Somaliland.
However, Somaliland does not recognize the Somalia eVisa system and has no online visa platform of its own.
As a result, many passengers — including Somaliland-born dual citizens — have paid for a Somalia eVisa only to be told at Hargeisa Airport that it is invalid. Immigration officials then require a second payment on arrival for a Somaliland visa, effectively charging travelers twice.
Several passengers have shared similar experiences online, calling the process “chaotic,” “unclear,” and “embarrassing for a country seeking recognition.”
Some of those experiences have been documented on X (formerly Twitter), including firsthand accounts from travelers stranded at airports in Dubai.
Families Stranded and Losing Thousands
The lack of coordination between Somaliland’s aviation and immigration authorities is not just an inconvenience — it’s financially devastating for many families.
Travelers report losing non-refundable flight tickets after being denied boarding at departure airports — even though many had never before been asked to obtain a visa to visit their own homeland. For years, Somaliland citizens and diaspora families have traveled freely, but recent enforcement of inconsistent systems has turned routine journeys into ordeals. Families, often traveling with children, are now forced to stay in hotels costing hundreds of dollars per night, while purchasing new tickets and paying for visas twice — once online through Somalia’s system, and again upon arrival in Hargeisa.
Airline agents say the confusion stems directly from the IATA visa verification system, which still lists Somaliland under Somalia.
“When we check the system, it says Somaliland/Somalia requires an eVisa,” said one Dubai-based ticketing agent who requested anonymity.
“This information comes directly from IATA’s travel database — but instead of fixing the problem and building Somaliland’s own eVisa system, the Aviation Ministry tells people that visa on arrival works. It doesn’t.”
Adding to the confusion, Somaliland officials have been telling Somali and diaspora travelers that they do not need a visa to board flights — claiming that either their Somaliland citizenship or visa on arrival is sufficient.
This information, however, is incorrect and has resulted in many families being turned away at departure gates after airline systems flagged missing visas.
For families who had saved for months to visit home, the outcome is devastating.
“People lose tickets, hotel bookings, and sometimes their entire trip,” said one traveler. “It’s time officials tell the truth instead of repeating something the system doesn’t recognize.”
The Official Statement — and Ground Reality
On September 9, 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development issued a press statement reaffirming Somaliland’s “Visa on Arrival Policy for International Travelers.”
(Source: Official Press Statement, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Airports Development, 9 Sept 2025)
The document, signed by Minister Fuad Ahmed Nuh, declared that all travelers arriving at Egal International Airport would continue to receive a visa on arrival without needing to apply online.
It also stated that no electronic travel authorization (ETA) or eVisa from Somalia or any external source would be valid for entry into Somaliland.
However, passengers who presented this official statement to airline agents abroad — including in Dubai — were told that it held no official recognition in airline systems.
“This is not an official document,” one ticketing agent said, explaining that the press release has no authority within IATA’s database or global travel regulation frameworks.
As one traveler summarized:
“Our government needs to understand how the world works — press releases don’t change airline regulations or global databases. We need systems, not statements.”
Minister’s Statement vs. Reality
Minister Fuad Nuh has repeatedly claimed that visitors are eligible for “visa on arrival” in Somaliland. Yet, multiple eyewitness accounts and airline reports suggest otherwise.
Passengers have been turned away abroad for lacking pre-approved visas, while others who reach Hargeisa face long delays and unexpected payments.
This contradiction between official statements and practical reality has sparked growing frustration among travelers and travel operators alike.
Critics argue that this confusion is symptomatic of a deeper issue — the Ministry’s failure to coordinate policy with airlines, immigration authorities, and foreign travel platforms.
Public Criticism Grows
Public frustration has spilled onto social media, where citizens and aviation professionals alike are calling for accountability.
In one widely shared post, the account @SomalilandCHRO wrote:
Another notable voice, Safwaan (@maxed_s) — an aviation enthusiast with hands-on experience in airside operations and passenger services at Heathrow (LHR) and London City Airport (LCY), and a graduate of Heathrow Aviation — launched a UK Parliament petition calling for an end to Somalia’s illegal eVisa system being imposed on passengers traveling to Hargeisa.
Safwaan wrote:
Safwaan, who describes himself as a Somaliland advocate, also questioned why passengers are being charged twice, tweeting directly at Minister Fuad Nuh:
“Passengers’ rights are being violated by airlines and airports. Who told you to charge another visa when they already paid one?”
The post went viral among the Somaliland diaspora, reigniting debate about governance, communication, and public accountability.
The criticism has now reached senior political figures. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Essa Kayd has publicly spoken out against the government’s silence over the eVisa crisis and the treatment of stranded travelers.
Dr. Kayd condemned the administration for ignoring over 100 Somaliland citizens (“Landers”) stranded in the UAE, who were denied boarding or left in limbo due to conflicting visa information.
“The silence from the government is unacceptable,” Dr. Kayd said. “No citizen should be left stranded abroad because of bureaucratic negligence or internal mismanagement. Somaliland’s reputation is being damaged internationally because of poor coordination.”
His remarks have added further pressure on the Ministry of Civil Aviation to address the crisis and engage with both the Immigration Department and airlines to resolve the situation.
The outcry has also drawn attention to misplaced priorities. Critics note that Minister Fuad Nuh has reportedly spent thousands of dollars lavishly renovating his office, yet has failed to deliver a functioning visa system or advance the long-promised aviation academy. Many argue that his focus on social media — including frequent TikTok and Facebook posts — reflects a serious lack of professionalism, as leadership should prioritize systems and service over image.
A Pattern of Failed Progress
This is not the first time the Ministry of Civil Aviation has faced criticism for lack of follow-through.
According to reports, The Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority and the Company’s Air Tolerance have reached a full understanding agreement. The previously reached contract — aimed at advancing aviation training and cooperation. The partnership was expected to lead to the establishment of Somaliland’s long-promised National Aviation Academy, envisioned to train the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals.
However, more than a year later, no visible progress has been made. The aircraft and training program remain grounded and deteriorating on the tarmac in Hargeisa — a situation that mirrors the stalled visa policy.
For many observers, this represents a worrying pattern of ambitious announcements without implementation — and raises broader questions about accountability and direction within the ministry.
Immigration Must Take the Lead
The growing consensus among aviation professionals, airline staff, and travelers is clear: the Somaliland Immigration and Border Control, not the Ministry of Civil Aviation, should lead the development and management of any new eVisa system.
Immigration is the rightful authority on visa issuance, passenger entry, and travel documentation — and must take ownership of the process.
Sources close to the government say there are already rumors of a potential change in leadership at the Immigration Department, which many hope could bring fresh direction and digital reform.
“This is not an aviation issue; it’s an immigration issue,” one airline manager told the Somaliland Times.
“The new head of Immigration must prioritize creating a secure, online eVisa system that travelers and airlines can trust.”
Until then, travelers are advised to obtain their Somaliland visa directly through the Immigration Department in Hargeisa, which can issue visas remotely and send them via email or WhatsApp.
However, travelers should not be asked to pay again in person upon arrival, as the standard charge at Hargeisa Airport — $60 plus $1 labeled as ‘overtime’ — has already caused widespread frustration.
Conclusion
The ongoing visa confusion is more than a bureaucratic mishap — it is a crisis of leadership and coordination.
For Somaliland to project competence and credibility, its ministries must work within their proper mandates.
Aviation should focus on air transport and safety, while Immigration takes full control of entry systems and eVisa policy.
Until that happens, travelers will continue to pay the price for mismanagement at the top.
Somaliland Times Editorial Note
This investigation is part of our continuing coverage of governance, public accountability, and institutional performance in Somaliland.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development was contacted for comment but has not responded as of publication.
