MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Egyptian Embassy in Somalia has officially launched in-country visa processing through a newly designated service provider, Prime Visa, marking a major shift for thousands of Somalis who previously had to travel abroad to secure entry permits to Egypt.
Prime Visa, whose office opened Sunday in Mogadishu, is now the sole company accredited by the Egyptian Embassy to handle the facilitation, verification, and registration of visa applications for Somali citizens and foreign nationals residing in the country.
For years, Somalis seeking to travel to Egypt — whether for medical care, education, or business — were forced to undertake costly and time-consuming trips to Nairobi, Kenya, to complete visa procedures. The new system is expected to significantly reduce expenses, travel burdens, and delays.
“This move officially ends the longstanding difficulties Somalis faced in obtaining Egyptian visas,” said Mahad Mohamed Tigow, Managing Director of Prime Visa. Speaking to local media, he said the new office would provide “accessible, transparent and efficient services inside the country.”
According to Tigow, the streamlined process is also expected to boost mobility between the two nations and deepen growing ties between Cairo and Mogadishu. “This service is a gateway to easier travel, stronger cooperation, and a more reliable diplomatic relationship between Somalia and Egypt,” he added.
The new Prime Visa office is located near Sahal Terminal on the road leading to Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. It will operate Sunday through Thursday, with staff trained to manage applications swiftly and professionally.
Nevertheless, the launch is being hailed as a significant milestone that reflects increasing international confidence in Somalia’s stability and administrative capacity. Officials say it also signals a new chapter in modernizing the country’s travel and diplomatic service infrastructure.
