The U.S. Department of State has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Somalia.
After decades of turmoil, Somalia is drawing travelers to its conflict-ridden regions. The East African country still poses risks to foreign nationals, and governments discourage any travel to the area. Despite this, 10,000 people entered Somalia in 2024, a 50% increase over the previous year, and tour operators are organizing trips despite serious warnings.
Travel company Untamed Borders told CNN it has organized 13 group tours to the country’s capital, Mogadishu, in 2025, up from just two in 2023. Those who join these trips are often seeking extreme destinations or are on “country counting missions,” said founder James Willcox, who acknowledged it’s one of the highest-risk destinations they operate in. “The risk of attacks is real. All of the limited places where international guests can stay are potential targets. You can’t go off radar in Mogadishu,” he said.
Terrorism and piracy are significant threats in the country. Earlier this year, militants attacked a hotel in Beledweyne, about 200 miles north of the capital, resulting in several deaths. Millions are internally displaced, and the humanitarian crises remain severe.
Still, people are eager to experience the region. One way is to visit Somaliland in the north, a self-governing, autonomous region within Somalia. It declared independence in 1991 and is pushing for international recognition as an independent state. More stable than Somalia, it operates with its own democratically elected government and currency. Meanwhile, the northeastern region of Puntland is semiautonomous but is not seeking international recognition as a separate state.
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All travelers must obtain an e-visa before traveling to Somalia, including Somaliland and Puntland. However, a single visa may not permit visits to the autonomous regions. Somaliland and Puntland do not recognize the newly introduced e-visa system, and visitors must obtain other permits to enter those areas. The Australian government’s Smartraveller website warns, “Visas might not be valid in areas where the central government’s authority is challenged, particularly in Somaliland and Puntland. If you’re visiting these areas, direct your visa enquiries to the person or organisation you will be visiting.”
In September, Somalia launched a new e-visa system to encourage more visitors. But the U.S. and U.K. governments have warned that the system was breached, exposing personal information of applicants. The problem continues, even after the government quietly moved the portal to another website.
The U.S. Embassy in Somalia issued an alert stating that people who applied for the e-visa may have been affected. “On November 11, 2025, multiple sources reported credible allegations that unidentified hackers penetrated Somalia’s e-visa system potentially exposing the personal data of at least 35,000 people, including possibly thousands of U.S. citizens. Leaked data from the breach included visa applicants’ names, photos, dates and places of birth, email addresses, marital status, and home addresses.”
Warnings
The U.S. State Department has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Somalia. It warns of widespread violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, and notes terrorists frequently target hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping areas, and public spaces. The country also endures civil unrest, and protests may turn violent. Health services are often insufficient. Though piracy off the Horn of Africa has decreased, pirates remain active.
American citizens have reported that their passports were stolen, leaving them stranded. According to warnings, “this often occurs when U.S. citizens travel to Somalia to visit family or attend an event,” and their own family confiscates their passport. “Some adult U.S. citizens cannot leave the international airport because they need explicit consent from their family.” Consular services are limited. “There is no permanent consular officer in Somalia, not even the Somaliland region. If a traveler’s passport is lost, stolen, expires, or if they become destitute, the U.S. government may not be able to help.”
The Federal Aviation Administration has also banned certain flights within and near Somalia.
The U.K. Foreign Office also advises against travel to Somalia “due to the threat from terrorist groups and continuing violence.” It adds that there is a high risk of kidnapping, and foreign nationals are frequent targets. Terror threats remain, and terrorists attack public spaces indiscriminately, according to the advisory. “Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities,” it suggests.
The U.K. Foreign Office has updated its advisory to include the recent e-visa system data breach, citing the U.S. alert and warning that the breach continues and could affect any personal data entered into the system.
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