Wednesday June 14, 2023 
Travellers at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. CREDIT: Mogadishu Airport
London (HOL) - In a significant development regarding the ongoing travel confusion faced by foreign-based Somali travellers, Somalia's Department of Immigration and Naturalization has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Wednesday through the Somali Civil Aviation Authority to clarify its stance.
The NOTAM stated that there is no visa requirement for Somalis holding dual nationalities or any individual of Somali ethnic background travelling with a foreign passport. The policy includes both adults and minors, with visas being issued upon arrival in Somalia. The advisory encourages those seeking further clarification to contact the immigration department directly.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is an alert issued by aviation authorities to inform aircraft pilots and relevant parties - including airlines - about potential hazards or changes in flight conditions or regulations. These notices can cover various information, from temporary runway closures and changes in aviation facilities to modifications in flight regulations, like the recent clarification in visa policy for Somali travellers.
This recent notice follows a
series of confounding incidents and widespread frustration among British citizens of Somali origin, whose travel plans to their homeland of Somalia had been unexpectedly complicated. A notable incident involved a London-based Somali family of six being denied boarding passes at London Heathrow by Qatar Airways due to the lack of a proof letter from the Somali embassy in the UK.
This purported requirement, reported to carry a cost of £100 and an additional $60 visa fee upon arrival in Mogadishu, significantly heightened concerns and financial burdens for individuals planning to visit Somalia. The fact that European passports stating Somalia as the place of birth are exempt from this letter led to further confusion.
The confusion instigated a flurry of social media exchanges, prompting the Somali Embassy in the UK to issue an official response. According to the Embassy's Twitter account, no such document is required for travel to Somalia, a claim directly contradicting the airlines' new policy.
Since mid-April, Qatar Airways, among other airlines, has reportedly been demanding these proof letters from Somali travellers. The lack of clear communication and guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) about these travel requirements led to heightened frustration among prospective travellers.
The Somali Embassy in the UK has sought to alleviate this confusion by reaching out to both UK and Somali authorities to clarify requirements and facilitate travel for affected families.
The recent events highlight the significance of continuous and transparent communication between embassies, airlines, and travellers. The Ministry of Immigration aims to alleviate the ongoing confusion by issuing the NOTAM, which will provide clarification and resolution. The NOTAM's main implication is that it clearly communicates to airlines and passengers alike that no special visa or proof letter from the Somali embassy is required for travel to Somalia for individuals of Somali heritage, regardless of where they were born or what foreign passport they hold.