By implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25^th of June, 2026, the Council of the European Union decided to temporarily suspend the application of certain provisions of the Visa code for applicants who are Somali nationals, in accordance with Article 25a (5)(a) of the Visa Code.

For applicants, this means the following regarding the submission and processing of applications:

• All applicants must submit a complete set of application documents (see the lists of required documents on the website of the Embassy)

• Holders of diplomatic and service passports must pay the visa fee

• Decisions on visa applications are made only 45 days after the submission of the complete application documents. Please take this processing time into account when planning your trip and submit your application well in advance

• Visas are issued exclusively as single-entry visas; the validity period of the visa corresponds to the duration of the intended stay. Multi-year visas are not issued.

Exceptions of the above provisions apply to the following groups of people:

• Nationals of Somalia who are family members of a Union citizen when accompanying or joining the Union citizen or of a national of a third country enjoying a right of free movement equivalent to that of Union citizens under an agreement between the Union and its Member States on the one hand and the third country on the other hand.

• Nationals of Somalia who are family members of a UK national who is a Withdrawal Agreement beneficiary, provided that the family members concerned are entitled to join the Withdrawal Agreement beneficiary in the host State and apply for a visa for this purpose.

• Nationals of Somalia applying for a visa for the purpose of attending meetings of international intergovernmental organisations or of international conferences hosted by a Member State.