Yemen

The UK Foreign Office Yemen travel advice was updated on 27 October 2026 and remained current as of 3 November 2026. It advises against all travel to Yemen because the security situation is unpredictable and says people already there should leave immediately. This is UK government travel advice, not local clearance regulation. Conditions may change quickly; this guide does not confirm that arrival is safe or that any port is open. Check the latest official security and navigation notices before sailing.

Noonsite’s Socotra port-clearance information lists Socotra as a port of entry and says visiting yachts must wait aboard for port security, Customs and Immigration officers to board. The page was last updated in March 2024 and covers Socotra only; it is not a current national port list. The UK Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Yemen as of 3 November 2026. Do not treat the old information as confirmation that arrival is safe or the port is open.

Pre-arrival notification

The Socotra guide recommends sending passport copies, vessel name and ETA to an agent several days in advance for Immigration and port authorities. Check current security, permits and government acceptance separately.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Socotra – Noonsite

A Noonsite Socotra yacht-clearance page last updated in March 2024 says crew should show passports, vessel documents and previous-port clearance when checking in/applying for visas. It also says a tourist visa is needed to go ashore or stay more than 48 hours. These are old third-party notes for Socotra and do not establish current visa policy for other parts of Yemen, all nationalities or the current situation. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Yemen; actual visa rules and port arrangements could not be confirmed.

Noonsite’s Socotra yacht account, last updated in March 2024, says yachts must remain aboard after entering port while security, Customs and Immigration officers board; crew should have vessel documents and previous-port clearance ready, and Customs inspects the yacht. The account is specific to Socotra and has not been confirmed as a current official Yemeni procedure. Port availability and security across Yemen may change; as of 3 November 2026 the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the country.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) country-report page for Yemen lists Plant Quarantine Law No. 7 of 2011 and plant quarantine regulations; the material is shown as last updated in 2019. Public information from Yemen’s agriculture authority also says the plant-quarantine law covers plants and plant products. No specific declaration, onboard-retention or inspection procedure for food, plants, pets or other biological goods aboard foreign private yachts was found. These legal references are not yacht quarantine guidance; confirm with the authority at the actual port.

Yemen’s Customs Law, published in 1990, says goods crossing the customs boundary are subject to Customs law and regulations, with Customs authority extending to territorial waters. The scope of prohibited/restricted goods also depends on other applicable laws and authority permits. Current UK entry guidance advises declaring items that may be prohibited or dutiable and says Yemeni currency may not be imported or exported and foreign currency over USD 3,000 must be declared (that amount is guidance for UK travellers). No complete restricted-items list or onboard-use exemption for private yachts was verified. This is not a yacht-specific list; confirm with Customs at the actual port before departure.

Arrival procedures

Under the guide, remain aboard until port security, Customs and Immigration officers come aboard. Have vessel documents, passports and previous-port clearance ready. Historical procedures do not confirm that a visit is currently safe.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Socotra – Noonsite

Noonsite’s Socotra page, last updated in March 2024, estimated routine clearance including agent fees at about US$260. For a short stop without going ashore, it listed approximately US$190 for supplies/water/fuel and agent services, plus US$10 for a local boat and a port fee of US$4 per person. It also listed tourist visas at US$150 per person for going ashore or staying over 48 hours. These are old third-party estimates, not government rates; current amounts and components must be confirmed and they do not apply to other Yemeni ports. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Yemen.