HARGEISA — The Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the Federal Government of Somalia’s new E-Visa system has caused difficulties for travellers, particularly those arriving from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said it had received reports of increasing pressure on passengers due to the Federal Government’s online visa requirement, which obliges foreign passport holders to apply electronically before entering Somalia.

“In recent weeks, we have observed the growing inconvenience faced by travellers holding Western passports (USA, Canada, Europe). Aviation and airport services are technical matters governed by international standards and procedures — they should not be politicised or turned into public debate,” the statement read.

“We have already engaged the relevant parties to address the issue and advise against any political exploitation of the matter,” it added.

The ministry also criticised unnamed actors who, it said, had previously “handed over Somaliland’s airspace” to external control, noting that Somaliland’s aviation operations follow internationally recognised protocols.

The statement comes days after Kaah Party chairman Mahmoud Hashi revealed that he had been asked to comply with Somalia’s E-Visa process while in Dubai — describing it as a “reality that cannot be ignored.”

Somalia’s E-Visa system, launched recently by the Federal Government, requires travellers using foreign passports to apply for visas through an electronic platform before boarding flights to Somalia.