Outrage Erupts: Double Visa Fees Spark Chaos at Somalia's Garowe Airport
Travelers arriving at Garowe International Airport in Puntland are being forced to pay for a second 'local visa' despite holding valid federal E-Visas. This double-charging practice, costing an additional $60, highlights a deep political and financial dispute between Puntland and Somalia's Federal Government over immigration control and revenue. It leaves diaspora families frustrated and caught in the crossfire of unresolved federal tensions.Precious Eseaye • Travel • 10 months ago • 1 minute read •
Passengers arriving at Garowe International Airport in Puntland have recently been caught in an escalating bureaucratic conflict, forced to purchase an additional $60 'local visa' from Puntland authorities despite already holding valid $64 Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) electronic visas (E-Visa). This contentious practice has effectively compelled visitors, many of whom are Somali diaspora families, to pay twice for entry, sparking widespread outrage and rekindling a long-standing political dispute between Puntland and Mogadishu over immigration control and revenue collection.
The Federal Government of Somalia officially launched its national E-Visa/ETAS system on September 1, 2025, hailing it as a
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