GoSomalia Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese citizens entering Somalia need to hold a one-time entry visa with a stay of one or three months, which has been applied for in advance at the Somali embassy or consulate abroad.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Before going to Somalia, one should undergo a physical examination at the local foreign-related health and quarantine department in China and receive vaccines such as yellow fever and cholera. When departing, it is necessary to bring the International Travel Health Check Certificate and the International Vaccination Certificate (commonly known as the "Yellow Book") for airport entry inspection.

Customs staff at Suo Airport randomly inspect the luggage carried by ordinary passengers entering and leaving the country. Only after the inspection is confirmed to be correct can the luggage be released.

It is strictly prohibited to carry prohibited items.

Residency and Naturalization

For those who need to stay beyond the visa period after entering the country, they need to apply for a Permit of Stay from the Immigration and Naturalization Bureau within the stay period. The permit is valid for multiple entries. Application fee: $300 for a validity period of 3 months, $400 for 6 months, and $800 for 1 year. If you still need to reside after the expiration of your residence permit, you need to apply for a residence permit again from the bureau before the expiration. Foreigners whose visas have expired but whose residence permits are within the period of stay can claim for multiple entries with their residence permits without having to apply for visas again.

Individuals who have resided continuously in Somalia for more than 10 years are eligible to apply for Somali citizenship.

The risk level for Somalia is red (extremely high risk).                                    

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens not to travel to Somalia in the near future. Personnel and institutions in the area should evacuate or transfer to safe areas as soon as possible. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Somalia has experienced years of internal turmoil and the overall security situation is severe. Extreme anti-government armed groups have frequently launched violent terrorist activities such as suicide bombings, car bombs, and rocket attacks in the Benadir area where the Somali capital Mogadishu is located, causing serious casualties. The fighting between the Somali National Army, the African Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces, and the extremist anti-government armed groups in central and southern Somalia, including Galmudug, Hilshebel, Southwest, and Juba regions, is still ongoing, with violent attacks occurring from time to time. Effective local government management institutions have been established in the northern regions of Somaliland and Bontland, and the situation is relatively stable. In October and November 2023, as the general election approaches, there will be turbulence in the situation in the state of Punjab. Disputes and even armed confrontations often occur in the disputed areas between the regions of Punjab and Somalia, resulting in casualties; The security situation in the two states is also unstable, and security cases occur from time to time.

natural disaster

The majority of the region belongs to the tropical desert climate, while the southwest belongs to the tropical grassland climate, with high temperatures throughout the year and dry and little rainfall. The main natural disasters are droughts, sandstorms, and floods. From 2010 to 2012, a severe drought occurred in Somalia, causing a humanitarian disaster and resulting in approximately 260000 people starving to death. There were two droughts from 2016 to 2017 and from 2022 to 2023, affecting millions of people in total. In October 2023, a large-scale flood occurred in Somalia due to autumn rainfall. As of mid November, the number of people affected by the flood has exceeded one million, with a total of 31 deaths and over 500000 displaced persons.

FDA

The hygiene condition of Suo's food is poor, with a high incidence of food and waterborne diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and typhoid fever.

Urgent Help

Somalia emergency hotline: 888

Global Consular Protection and Services Emergency Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:+86-10-12308 or+86-10-59913991

Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Embassy in Somalia:+252-617023354

air traffic

There are 62 airports of all sizes in Somalia, of which only 7 have paved runways. The main airports include Aden Abdul International Airport in Mogadishu, Egal International Airport in Hargeisa, Somalia, Bosaso International Airport in Punjab, Berbera Airport in Somalia, and Abdullahi Yusuf Airport in Galmudug Region. International flights can reach Djibouti, Istanbul, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dubai, and Doha, while domestic flights can reach major towns.

land transport

Somalia's transportation is mainly by road, without railways. The territory of Somalia has been plagued by years of war and weak infrastructure construction. Currently, the total length of highways is about 22000 kilometers, of which only about 2900 kilometers are paved. Due to domestic conflicts and non-governmental armed attacks, land transportation is not smooth and there are many checkpoints.

water communication

Somalia has the longest coastline on the African continent, approximately 3300 kilometers, with major ports including Mogadishu Port, Kismayu Port, Berbera Port, and Bosasso Port. There are few rivers in the area, only the Shabelle River flowing through the central region and the Juba River flowing through the south have water year-round, while the rest are seasonal rivers.

Urban transportation

The street layout in the urban area of Mogadishu is relatively neat, with a high rate of road hardening, but severe damage. There is no public transportation system, only privately operated vans and three wheeled motorcycles carrying passengers back and forth, with poor condition and frequent accidents.

The road hardening rate in the city of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, is about 60%. Due to its location in a valley area, there are many U-shaped undulating road surfaces. There is a public transportation system, but it is quite crowded; Taxis are mainly two box small cars, with average condition and hygiene conditions.

The transportation in the capital city of Garowe, in the state of Punjab, mainly relies on taxis, and the road conditions are relatively good.

major city

Mogadishu: the capital of Somalia, a historic city located in the Shabelle River basin, adjacent to the Indian Ocean, with a tropical desert climate. It is expected to have a population of 2.61 million by 2023 and is one of the largest cities and major ports in the country. In recent years, due to conflicts and natural disasters, there has been a continuous influx of internally displaced persons, making Mogadishu one of the most densely populated cities in Africa.

Hargeisa: the second largest city in Somalia and the capital of the Somaliland region, located in the Ogo Highlands valley at an altitude of about 1300 meters. It has a mild climate and is expected to have a population of 1.12 million by 2023. There is a land route connecting the northwest to the capital city of Djibouti, Djibouti City. The city has small-scale industries such as animal product processing, food, metal products, and electricity.

Kismayu: a port city and the third largest city in southern Somalia, located near the mouth of the Juba River and adjacent to the Indian Ocean.

Galloway: the capital of the state of Bontland and a transportation hub connecting central southern and northwestern Somalia. Having relatively complete urban infrastructure such as water supply, power supply, and communication. Tropical desert climate, with goat and camel animal husbandry as the main economic source.

Commodity prices

Somalia has abundant natural resources, with proven minerals including uranium, iron, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, lead, coal, etc. Animal husbandry is the backbone of the economy, generally accounting for 40% of the gross domestic product and over 70% of the export value. Mainly raising camels, cattle, goats, and sheep, it is the country with the largest number of camels in the world. The main grain crops are sorghum, corn, wheat, cassava, and rice. Economic crops include cotton, sugarcane, bananas, coconuts, sesame seeds, mangoes, myrrh, etc., mainly used for export. Suo has the longest coastline in Africa, over 3000 kilometers long, abundant fishery resources, and enormous potential for blue economy. At present, the fishing level is low, the production and processing technology is backward, and the related industrial chain is basically in a blank state. The annual production of the fishery is only 25000 to 30000 metric tons, with a potential annual production of approximately 500000 to 835000 metric tons.

The industry is mainly composed of small and medium-sized enterprises, with major sectors including textiles, leather, sugar production, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, food processing, oil refining, electricity, and building materials. After 1991, industrial production basically stagnated. Daily necessities mainly rely on imports, and prices are relatively high. Shortage of water and electricity, high water and electricity prices. In November 2023, the market price of tap water is about 15 RMB/ton, and the market price of electricity is about 2.5 RMB/kWh. The local market mainly produces beef, mutton, and chicken as meat, and tropical fruits such as bananas, watermelons, papaya, and mangoes as fruits. In November 2023, beef and mutton will cost about 50 RMB/kg, and watermelon will cost about 3 RMB/kg.

The official currency is the Somali shilling, and there are many counterfeit currencies in the market. The US dollar is widely used.

Insurance Medical

Due to long-term wars, outdated medical facilities, and severe shortages of medical supplies, Somalia is one of the countries with the lowest medical standards in Africa. Its maternal and neonatal mortality rates are among the highest in the world.

festival and holiday

July 1st is National Independence Day, and there are multiple religious festivals every year.

Communications Power

Somalia country code: 252

Fixed line telephones are underdeveloped, with only 51000 users in 2015. Mobile communication is relatively developed, with a mobile phone penetration rate of 46.5% in 2016. The main telecommunications companies include Hormuud, Somtel, Somcast, Nationlink, etc., which can provide 4G internet services. More than 70% of adults are accustomed to using mobile payments. At present, the mobile phone cards of various telecommunications companies in China are unable to use international roaming services.

The local voltage is 220V, 50Hz, and the electrical plug standard is a European standard two hole round plug. Domestic appliances can be used locally by connecting the conversion plug.

contact information

Chinese Embassy in Somalia

Address: Halane, Mogadishu International Airport, Mogadishu, Federal Republic of Somalia

Phone:+ 252-617023354

Embassy email: chinaemb_som@mfa.gov.cn

Consular email: mogadishu@csm.mfa.gov.cn

Somali Embassy in China

Address: No. 2 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Phone: 010-65321651 65325867

E-mail somaliawork@qq.com