Somaliland is located in the Horn of Africa, with its own government, working political system, and relative peace and stability since it declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

In a historic diplomatic breakthrough on December 26, 2025, the Republic of Somaliland was officially recognized by the State of Israel, making it the first UN member state to formally acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty. Despite this significant milestone, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) still maintains e-visa requirements that incorrectly conflate Somaliland with Somalia, disregarding the de facto autonomy and governance of the region. This causes unnecessary complications and violations of passenger rights for those traveling to Somaliland. 

Currently, travelers to Somaliland find themselves unjustly categorized under Somalia's visa regime, despite Somaliland's distinct travel policies and separate government. This mismatch not only infringes upon regional sovereignty but creates practical barriers and inconveniences for travelers, negatively impacting tourism and economic development in the area. The current requirements undermine the identity and self-governance of Somaliland, a region that, while only recently gaining its first formal recognition from a UN member state, exhibits all characteristics of a sovereign nation. 

Somalia has no IMMIGRATION PERSONNEL, no SECURITY OFFICES, and no ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENCE of any kind in Somaliland. Given this complete lack of control or jurisdiction, how can Somalia claim to issue visas for a territory it does not govern? 

It is crucial that IATA updates its guidelines to reflect the reality on the ground—a reality now recognized at a state level by Israel—and respect the distinctiveness of Somaliland's travel and visa policies. By acknowledging Somaliland's unique status, IATA can facilitate smoother travel experiences and recognize the autonomy exercised by the Somaliland government over its own territory. 

To my fellow citizens in Somaliland, Canada, and USA, and to the global community of travelers: please join us by signing this petition.
Sign this petition to urge IATA to rectify this oversight and support an accurate and fair visa system for passengers traveling to Somaliland, thereby upholding the dignity and rights of travelers and respecting the governance of the region they choose to visit.

Context on the Recognition
• Official Recognition: On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first United Nations member to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
• Diplomatic Progress: Following this, Somaliland appointed Mohamed Hagi as its first ambassador to Israel in early 2026.
• Strategic Cooperation: The two nations have since signed joint declarations and are cooperating on areas like agriculture, technology, and security.