The Federal Government of Somalia is set to introduce a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system aimed at tightening control over passenger movements to and from the country, including all major international airports such as Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, and Bosaso.
According to documents obtained by Inside Somalia, the new system will officially take effect on November 27, 2025, and will be fully integrated with airline Departure Control Systems (DCS) and Passenger Information Exchange Systems (API/PNR).
Once operational, no passenger will be allowed to board a flight bound for any destination within Somalia—including Hargeisa—without prior clearance from the Somali government’s ETA platform.
The ETA system will allow Somali authorities to access detailed passenger data, including:
Full name, date of birth, and passport details
Travel history and previous visa records
Ticket information and destination details
Experts describe the ETA as more advanced and restrictive than the current e-visa system, noting that it will have a significant impact on airlines such as FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines, which will be unable to issue boarding passes until passengers receive approval from the Somali ETA system in Mogadishu.
This move effectively gives Somalia’s immigration authority the power to deny boarding to any passenger and provides full access to information about all travelers on flights to the country.
Observers view the new system as a strategic security and sovereignty measure, demonstrating Somalia’s determination to assert control over its airspace and border management—while also sending a clear signal to entities that attempt to bypass federal oversight.
