EthiopiaSomalia: e-Visa

EthiopiaSomalia

Do Ethiopia passport holders need a visa for Somalia?

e-Visa

Yes. Ethiopia 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 of2026-10-14

Distance1,061 km, straight line (~1h 45m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Somalia1 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Somalia passport holders visiting Ethiopia: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near Somalia

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

Other visa-free destinations for Ethiopia passport holders

See all Ethiopia destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Ethiopia passport holders need a visa for Somalia?

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

How far is Somalia from Ethiopia?

About 1,061 km in a straight line, roughly ~1h 45m 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 Ethiopia passport holders visit without a visa instead of Somalia?

Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, 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 Ethiopia

Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the southeast, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. Ethiopia covers a land area of 1,104,300 km2 (426,400 sq mi). As of 2026, it has around 138 million inhabitants, making it the 10th-most populous country in the world and 2nd most populous country in Africa. The national capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, lies several kilometres west of the East African Rift that splits the country into the African and Somali tectonic plates.

CapitalAddis Ababa

RegionEastern Africa

Population135.5M

Area1,104,300 km²

CurrencyEthiopian birr (1 USD ≈ 161.84 ETB)

LanguagesAmharic

Calling code+251

Drives on theright

TimezoneAddis Ababa (UTC+3)

Nearest airportAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), 8 km

Emergency number907 / 911 / 939 / 991

UNESCO sites14

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$933 (2025)

Tourist arrivals518K (2020)

Climate in Addis Ababa

Warmest March, coolest December, driest December, sunniest October.

Monthly climate normals for Addis Ababa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	21.6°C	9.1°C	10mm	335h
February	22.4°C	10.3°C	11mm	311h
March	23.2°C	11.7°C	53mm	325h
April	22.3°C	11.7°C	147mm	304h
May	21.7°C	10.4°C	133mm	338h
June	19.8°C	10.2°C	245mm	302h
July	18.2°C	10.7°C	332mm	229h
August	18.4°C	10.9°C	265mm	253h
September	18.7°C	9.8°C	215mm	306h
October	19.9°C	8.5°C	11mm	348h
November	21.1°C	7.8°C	4mm	345h
December	20.8°C	7.4°C	1mm	344h

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

Travelers to Ethiopia experience a country divided into two: in the north and east the focus is on cultural heritage, while in the south there are several national parks and lakes in the area of the East African Rift with their flora and fauna as well as the habitat of several indigenous peoples.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Axum
Bale Mountains National Park
Fasil Ghebbi
Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town
Konso Cultural Landscape
Lalibela Cross
Lower Valley of the Awash
Melka Kunture
Monolithic churches in Lalibela
Omo River

Upcoming public holidays

September 27, 2026መስቀል

January 7, 2027ልደተ-ለእግዚእነ/ ገና

January 19, 2027ნათლისღება

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 of more than 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 ≈ 571.74 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)

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.