Hargeisa, Somaliland — (Hornpost) The Immigration and Border Control Command of the Republic of Somaliland has announced that visas or travel permits issued by the Federal Government of Somalia will no longer be recognized for entry into Somaliland.
The directive was contained in an official statement released by the Commander of Immigration and Border Control, Brigadier General Mohamed Hussein Farah (Xirane). The statement, translated by the Hornpost outlines the rules and legal basis governing entry into the country.
According to the statement, the decision is based on the powers granted to the immigration service under Somaliland’s Immigration and Border Control Law No. 109/2025, which authorizes the force to regulate the entry, residency, and exit of foreign nationals.
“Visas or travel permits issued by Somalia will not be accepted to enter the Republic of Somaliland. These documents will not be recognized at any Somaliland border point. Any person holding such a visa will be denied entry and will be subject to national immigration procedures,” the statement said.
How to Obtain Somaliland Entry Visas
The Immigration Command said foreign nationals wishing to visit Somaliland have two main options:
Visa on Arrival – Visitors can obtain a visa at Hargeisa International Airport or Berbera International Airport, subject to immigration screening and payment of relevant fees.
Visa Through Somaliland Missions Abroad – Applicants may also apply for entry visas at Somaliland embassies, consulates, or liaison offices in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Taiwan, Turkey, and Djibouti, among others.
The statement further noted that anyone holding a Somaliland visa or residence permit must enter through designated official border crossings and comply with standard immigration checks.
The new directive takes effect immediately and remains in force until it is amended or replaced by a new order by the competent authority, according to the Immigration Command.
Commander of Immigration and Border Control, Brigadier General Mohamed Hussein Farah (Xirane).
Somaliland–Somalia Travel Issues:
Relations between Somaliland and Somalia have remained strained since Somaliland declared the restoration of its independence in 1991. Although Somaliland maintains its own government, currency, security forces, and immigration system, Somalia continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, leading to periodic political and administrative disputes.
One of the recurring flashpoints has been the control of airspace and travel regulations. Somalia’s government has previously attempted to issue travel or entry visas to passengers heading to Hargeisa or Berbera, a move Somaliland views as interference in its internal affairs. Somaliland authorities, on the other hand, insist that only visas issued by Hargeisa or its foreign missions are legally valid.
In recent years, Somaliland has expanded its own immigration infrastructure — reopening consular services abroad, introducing e-visas, and strengthening border controls. The latest directive appears to be part of broader efforts to assert full control over its air and land entry points and to clarify legal distinctions between the two administrations.
Prepared by
Hornpost staff Reporter
