Somalia · Skilled Worker Visa

Work Permit

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)

✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology

5.5/10 diff

Challenging

Requirements verified against the official government source.

Min income

—

Processing

56+ days

Path to PR

Job offer

Required

Not legal advice. This content is for educational and decision-support purposes only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always verify requirements with the relevant official authority before making decisions.

At a Glance

Visa Duration

24 months

Processing Time

56+ days

Min Income

—

Path to PR

Difficulty

5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age Range	18+
Education Required	vocational
Job Offer Required	Yes
Sponsorship Required	Yes
Health Insurance Required	No

Application Timeline

Employer registration and verification

5–10 days

Employer must register with immigration authorities and verify business status

Blocker: Valid business registration and tax compliance required

Employment contract and invitation letter

3–7 days

Prepare employment contract and sponsorship letter with job details

Can overlap previousBlocker: Clear job description and salary requirements needed

Document preparation and attestation

5–14 days

Collect educational certificates, police clearance, and medical certificates

Can overlap previousBlocker: Police clearance and medical certificates from home country required

Entry visa application

3–7 days

Apply for entry visa at Somali embassy or through e-visa system

Blocker: Complete documentation package required

Immigration processing and review

7–21 days

Processing by Immigration and Citizenship Agency with security checks

Blocker: Security clearance and document verification

In-country registration

3–7 days

Blocker: Physical presence required for registration

Work permit issuance

2–5 days

Final work permit issued after completing all requirements

Blocker: Completion of registration and payment of fees

Family & Rights

Right	Details
Path to Permanent Residency	No

Cost of Living

Mogadishu

Single (monthly)€635

Family (monthly)€1,600

Rent 1BR (center)€200

Groceries€150

Transport pass€25

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Work Permit?

The Work Permit is an immigration pathway offered by Somalia. It falls under the Skilled Worker Visa category.

Can the Work Permit lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

What is the cost of living in Somalia?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Mogadishu: €635/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

immigration.gov.so

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

Complete guide to emigrating to Somalia →

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