Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
If you hold a Somali passport, the United States has suspended the issuance of new visitor visas for Somali nationals under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. An ESTA is not available to Somali citizens. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for anything.
What the suspension means in practice
Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends the issuance of new B-1 and B-2 visitor visas to Somali nationals. It applies to applications handled at US embassies and consulates abroad. It did not revoke visas issued before the proclamation took effect, so a valid visa in a Somali passport can still be used for a trip to New York, subject to inspection on arrival.
Limited exceptions exist. The clearest example is a dual national who travels on a passport from a country the proclamation does not cover. Other exceptions are narrow and consular officers assess them case by case. Eligibility is never automatic, and reading the announcement carefully is not the same as holding a visa. The State Department's published guidance is the authority to follow.
Before you fly and on arrival
Start with the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov and confirm the position before paying for flights or accommodation. Where an exception may apply, contact the US embassy or consulate that handles Somali applicants and ask how to proceed. Nothing should be booked on the assumption that a visa will be issued. Rules and procedures change, so recheck the official site close to departure.
Travelers who reach a New York airport, whether JFK, LaGuardia or Newark Liberty, pass through Customs and Border Protection. Expect questions about the purpose of the trip, the address where you will stay and the date you plan to leave. Carry printed hotel confirmation and return travel details. A visa allows you to seek admission; the officer at the port of entry decides entry and the length of stay.
Staying in Manhattan
Book accommodation for the stay that matches the address given at inspection, and keep the confirmation in print and on a phone. Manhattan hotels commonly ask for a passport at check-in. Have return or onward travel details ready, since officers and hotel staff may ask about departure plans. Travel insurance covering cancellation is worth arranging while the visa position remains unsettled.
Transfers into Manhattan are straightforward from all three airports. At JFK, a rail shuttle links the terminals to the subway and to commuter trains at Jamaica station. At Newark Liberty, a rail shuttle connects to trains running to New York Penn Station. From LaGuardia, buses, the subway and taxis reach midtown. Check current service and fares with the operator before setting out.
Longer stays, work and study
Visitor visas do not authorize work, study or residence. Study, work, exchange and family categories each have their own requirements and their own application steps, and the suspension of visitor visas creates no route around them. Anyone planning a degree, an internship or employment in the United States needs the correct category and should check the official site before making commitments.
Consular processing for those categories follows its own rules, and appointment availability and procedures can change. Check travel.state.gov for the category that fits the purpose of the trip, then confirm details with the embassy or consulate handling the case. For tourism, the position on new visitor visas for Somali nationals stays as described above until the State Department announces otherwise.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement of Presidential Proclamation 10998 on travel.state.gov before planning or paying for anything.
- Check whether an exception applies, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport or a visa issued earlier.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate that handles Somali applicants and ask how the proclamation applies to the trip.
- Book nothing non-refundable, including flights and Manhattan accommodation, until the visa position is confirmed.
- Once a visa is in hand, confirm the arrival airport and arrange the transfer into Manhattan.
- Carry printed hotel confirmation, return travel plans and insurance details for inspection by Customs and Border Protection.
- Recheck travel.state.gov close to departure, since visa rules, consular procedures and airport practice can change.
Documents to carry
- Passport, with any visitor visa issued before the proclamation
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address given at inspection
- Return or onward travel booking showing the planned departure date
- Travel insurance documents covering cancellation and medical costs
- Printed copy of the State Department announcement and any consular correspondence
Somali citizens: questions
Can Somali citizens still apply for a US visitor visa?
New B-1 and B-2 visitor visas for Somali nationals are suspended under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visa applications are assessed individually by consular officers. Check travel.state.gov for the current position before applying or paying for anything.
Does an ESTA work for Somali citizens visiting Manhattan?
No. The Visa Waiver Program covers a fixed list of countries, and Somalia is not among them, so Somali citizens cannot use an ESTA. A US visa is the route, and the suspension described above applies to new visitor visa applications. Check esta.cbp.dhs.gov for the program list and travel.state.gov for visa rules.
Can a Somali citizen with an existing US visa still travel to Manhattan?
In general, yes. Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so an existing visitor visa can still be used for a trip to New York. Admission is decided by Customs and Border Protection at the airport. Carry hotel confirmation and return travel plans, and expect questions about the purpose and length of the visit.
Which airport do Somali citizens use for a Manhattan trip?
JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty all handle international arrivals and connect to Manhattan by rail, bus and taxi. The choice depends on the flight available and the part of Manhattan where you will stay. Check current service and fares with the airport or operator, since routes and timetables change.
Can Somali citizens work or study in the United States on a visitor visa?
No. Visitor visas cover tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not employment or a course of study. Work and study need their own visa categories, each with separate requirements and application steps. Consular officers assess every case. Check travel.state.gov for the category that matches the purpose of the trip before making commitments.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.