EritreaSomalia: e-Visa

EritreaSomalia

Do Eritrea passport holders need a visa for Somalia?

e-Visa

Yes. Eritrea passport holders need a visa for Somalia, available online as an e-visa before travel.

An e-visa must be applied for and approved online before travel.

Source: immigration.gov.so (checked September 18, 2026).

Requiremente-Visa

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-21

Distance1,633 km, straight line (~2h 25m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Somalia1 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Somalia passport holders visiting Eritrea: Visa required.

Visa-free alternatives near Somalia

Eritrea passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Eritrea passport holders

See all Eritrea destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Eritrea passport holders need a visa for Somalia?

Yes. Eritrea passport holders need a visa for Somalia, available online as an e-visa before travel.

How far is Somalia from Eritrea?

About 1,633 km in a straight line, roughly ~2h 25m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Somalia?

Somali shilling (SOS).

What is the emergency number in Somalia?

555 / 888 / 999.

What time zone is Somalia in?

Mogadishu (UTC+3).

What is the nearest airport to Mogadishu?

Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ), about 7 km away.

How many countries can enter Somalia without a visa?

1 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Somalia visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Eritrea passport holders visit without a visa instead of Somalia?

Kenya, Seychelles, Uganda, Comoros, Rwanda, Burundi.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Eritrea

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. Its capital and largest city is Asmara. The country is bordered by Ethiopia to the south, Sudan to the west, and Djibouti to the southeast. The northeastern and eastern parts of Eritrea have an extensive coastline along the Red Sea. The country has a total area of approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi), and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands.

CapitalAsmara

RegionEastern Africa

Population3.6M

Area117,600 km²

CurrencyEritrean nakfa (1 USD ≈ 15.00 ERN)

LanguagesArabic, English, Tigrinya

Calling code+291

Drives on theright

TimezoneAsmara (UTC+3)

Nearest airportAsmara International Airport (ASM), 4 km

Emergency number113 / 114 / 116

UNESCO sites1

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$689 (2011)

Tourist arrivals142K (2016)

Climate in Asmara

Warmest June, coolest January, driest March, sunniest June. Best time to visit: March, June.

Monthly climate normals for Asmara, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	19.9°C	8.1°C	14mm	339h
February	22°C	10.6°C	15mm	313h
March	24.4°C	12.7°C	1mm	357h
April	24.8°C	13.7°C	32mm	352h
May	23.7°C	14°C	44mm	366h
June	24.9°C	14.7°C	19mm	368h
July	21.5°C	14°C	143mm	287h
August	20.7°C	13.6°C	159mm	299h
September	23.4°C	12.5°C	5mm	345h
October	21.5°C	10.8°C	8mm	360h
November	19.8°C	10.1°C	50mm	334h
December	19.1°C	9.3°C	21mm	336h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Eritrea is a country in East Africa. Formerly an Italian colony, the country shares a common language and culture with its large neighbour, Ethiopia, which it was once a part of until Eritrea gained its independence in 1993. It used to be Africa's youngest country until 2011, which was when South Sudan gained its independence.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Asmara: A Modernist African City

Upcoming public holidays

January 1, 2027Amet ሓዲሽ ዓመት

January 7, 2027Lidet ልደት

January 19, 2027Timket ጥምቀት

Full source list on About.

About Somalia

Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. Stretching across the Horn of Africa, it borders Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the Indian Ocean to the east. Somalia has the longest coastline on Africa's mainland. Somalia has an estimated population over 19 million, of which 2.7 million live in the capital and largest city, Mogadishu. As one of Africa's most ethnically homogeneous countries, around 85% of its residents are ethnic Somalis. The official and national language of the country is Somali, and Arabic is recognised as a second language. The overwhelming majority of the population are Sunni Muslims.

CapitalMogadishu

RegionEastern Africa

Population19.7M

Area637,657 km²

CurrencySomali shilling (1 USD ≈ 571.43 SOS)

LanguagesArabic, Somali

Calling code+252

Drives on theright

TimezoneMogadishu (UTC+3)

Nearest airportAden Adde International Airport (MGQ), 7 km

Emergency number555 / 888 / 999

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$661 (2025)

Climate in Mogadishu

Warmest April, coolest August, driest February, sunniest December. Best time to visit: January, February, March, May, September, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Mogadishu, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	31.9°C	24.5°C	8mm	361h
February	31.5°C	24.4°C	2mm	335h
March	31.7°C	25.7°C	21mm	364h
April	31.3°C	25.9°C	93mm	349h
May	29.5°C	25.3°C	69mm	361h
June	27.9°C	24.5°C	81mm	333h
July	26.8°C	23.4°C	122mm	338h
August	26.5°C	23.1°C	84mm	358h
September	27.8°C	23.6°C	37mm	351h
October	29.1°C	24.7°C	29mm	345h
November	29.3°C	24.3°C	77mm	338h
December	31°C	24.1°C	11mm	367h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Somalia is a country on the Horn of Africa. Once the centre of many powerful sultanates and an Italian colony, the country has been in a state of chaos and turmoil since the 1980s. The country suffers from a myriad of social problems such as warfare, terrorism, corruption, political instability, and general lawlessness, and it isn't exactly your typical family destination.

Upcoming public holidays

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

May 1, 2027Labour Day

June 26, 2027Independence Day

Full source list on About.