Can i travel to somalia

You should check before travelling to the borders of Ethiopia , Djibouti or Kenya. You should not cross the border without the correct documents. You may face a large fine or detention for illegally crossing borders and you may be prevented from onward travel. You will need a visa for all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland. You may also be required to provide a letter of invitation on arrival in Somalia outlining the purpose of your travel.

You can usually get this from your place of work a hotel booking may also suffice. Without this letter, you could be denied entry. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Somalia, including Somaliland. The British Government is limited in the consular support it can offer in such circumstances. To help us improve GOV.

It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food. In some areas in East Africa, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera , hepatitis A , schistosomiasis and typhoid.

Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in East Africa. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it! Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk. To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions. Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Schistosomiasis can be spread to humans through freshwater sources contaminated by blood flukes tiny worms. The eggs of the worms can cause stomach illnesses like diarrhea and cramps or urinary problems. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Avoid swimming in freshwater sources lakes, rivers, ponds. There is no vaccine available for schistosomiasis.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time. Travellers visiting regions with a risk typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.

In some areas in East Africa, certain insects carry and spread diseases like African trypanosomiasis sleeping sickness , chikungunya , Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever , dengue fever , leishmaniasis , lymphatic filariasis , malaria , onchocerciasis river blindness , Rift Valley fever , West Nile virus , yellow fever and Zika virus.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites. There is currently a risk of chikungunya in this country. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years. Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times.

There is no vaccine available for chikungunya. Visceral leishmaniasis or kala azar affects the bone marrow and internal organs. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or sharing contaminated needles. If left untreated it can cause death. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, and bats. Certain infections found in some areas in East Africa, like avian influenza , Ebola , and rabies , can be shared between humans and animals. Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances for example, steroids and drugs , tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture. Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs. Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives. There are virtually no health facilities or medicines available in Somalia.

You must be completely self-sufficient. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres. Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Forced marriage affecting foreigners occur. Parents, relatives and the community may use relentless pressure and emotional blackmail, threatening behaviour, abduction, imprisonment and physical violence to coerce young people to enter into marriage. While both men and women experience forced marriage, it is a form of violence most commonly perpetrated against women and girls. People have been unable to return to Canada because their passports and money have been withheld by family members.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Somalia, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. General information for travellers with dual citizenship. The climate in Somalia is very hot and dry. However, a monsoon season extends from May to October in the southwest and from December to February in the northeast. There are also short rainy seasons in other parts of the country.

Keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. There is no centralized number to reach emergency services. Research and carry contact information for local police and medical facilities. There is no resident Canadian government office in Somalia. Skip to main content. Gov Travel. Passports International Travel U. Stay Connected. Law Enforcement. Travel Advisories. Y Z All. Somalia Travel Advisory.

Travel Advisory June 17, Civil unrest occurs throughout Somalia and can sometimes be violent. If you decide to travel to Somalia: See the U. Review your personal security plan and visit our page on Travel to High-Risk Areas. Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.

Find a suggested list of such documents here. Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization if you are traveling on business or consider consulting with a professional security organization. This plan should specify whom you would contact first, and how that person should share the information.

Identify key sources of possible assistance for you and your family in case of emergency, such as the nearest U.