EVisa

Somalia’s newly relaunched electronic visa portal contains a serious security flaw that could allow unauthorized parties to download large numbers of e-visas holding sensitive personal data, including passport information, full names and dates of birth, according to findings confirmed by Al Jazeera. The vulnerability emerged a month after a separate breach of the country’s e-visa platform exposed tens of thousands of records and prompted warnings from the United States and United Kingdom. Al Jazeera reported that it verified…

Security warning from Puntland State authorities Puntland State has urged travelers using foreign passports to avoid Somalia’s federal E‑VISA platform, citing significant security weaknesses that could expose personal data. The warning, delivered from Garowe by Puntland State’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Caydiid Dirir, alleges flaws that could allow sensitive traveler information to be accessed and misused. Dirir said the E‑VISA system contains vulnerabilities that put user data at risk. He framed the platform…

Somalia says E-Visa has choked ISIS travel pipeline Somalia’s defense minister says a new national E-Visa system has sharply curtailed the movement of ISIS fighters into the country’s northeast, where the group has long maintained a foothold in the Calmiskaad mountains. Ahmed Moallin Fiqi said that since the digital visa rollout, no foreign ISIS members have entered Somalia to join militants in the remote range. The statement underscores Mogadishu’s bid to tighten border controls after years of porosity exploited by…

Cyberattack on Somalia’s E-Visa System May Have Exposed Data of at Least 35,000, U.S. Embassy Says MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. Embassy in Somalia warned Wednesday that cybercriminals may have penetrated the Somali government’s electronic visa (E‑Visa) system, potentially exposing personal information belonging to thousands of applicants. What the embassy reported The embassy said multiple reliable sources confirmed on Nov. 11, 2025, that the system may have been compromised and that records for at least 35,000 visa…

UK warns travellers of conflicting visa rules across Somalia after federal e-visa rollout North Western State of Somalia and Puntland State reject Mogadishu’s system, creating airport confusion The United Kingdom has cautioned its citizens to expect inconsistent and sometimes conflicting visa requirements across Somalia after the federal government launched a new e-visa system that regional authorities in North Western State of Somalia and Puntland State say they will not honor. In updated guidance, the UK Foreign,…

Somalia’s new e‑visa system ignites a storm over money, power and trust The row over Somalia’s newly launched electronic visa system has moved beyond bureaucratic bickering into a full‑blown political and financial controversy, exposing fault lines in a country long divided over sovereignty, economic control and how the diaspora — Somalia’s lifeline — is treated. Accusations, denials and a Facebook post that set it off The controversy began in a blunt Facebook post by Axmed Ismaaciil, the general manager of WorldRemit’s…

U.S. Embassy warns of suspected breach in Somalia’s e‑visa system, thousands of travelers at risk The United States Embassy in Mogadishu has issued a security alert warning that a suspected cyber intrusion into Somalia’s electronic visa platform may have exposed the personal data of tens of thousands of applicants — a reminder that the global rush to digitize borders carries risks as well as convenience. In a notice released this week, the embassy said it received credible reports on November 11, 2025, that unidentified…

Somalia's Leap into the Digital Age: E-Visa System Set to Transform Travel and Trade In a significant stride towards modernizing its immigration framework, Somalia has officially announced the launch of its Electronic Visa and Travel Authorization System (E-Visa/ETAS), set to take effect on September 1, 2025. The unveiling marks a progressive move to digitalize processes in a nation eager to welcome the world with open arms amid security and infrastructural challenges. A Step Towards Global Integration The announcement…

Somalia Embraces Digital Transformation: E-Visa System to Enhance Travel and Security In a groundbreaking move aimed at modernizing its immigration protocols, Somalia has unveiled an electronic visa (E-Visa) and electronic travel authorization system (eTAS), marking a significant step towards digital governance. This initiative is set to become a mandatory entry requirement for all foreign visitors starting September 1, 2025, offering a seamless online platform for visa applications. The launch represents a broader trend of…