Friday May 15, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency has announced a major shift in passport rules, saying applicants will soon need a national identity card or proof of registration before they can apply.
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Starting July 1, 2026, Somali citizens who do not hold a National Identification and Registration Authority card, known as a NIRA ID, or a certificate confirming registration will no longer be eligible to submit a passport application, the agency said Thursday.
“Anyone who does not have a National Identity Card (NIRA) or a certificate confirming such a card cannot apply for a Somali passport starting July 1, 2026,” the agency said in a statement.
The ICA urged citizens to complete registration and secure their national identity documents before the new requirement takes effect.
Officials said the move is part of a broader federal push to tighten identity checks, curb fraud and tie government services to a single national registration system.
The agency also introduced another change to passport processing. From May 13, 2026, applicants will only need to provide copies of supporting documents, while original papers will be reviewed and returned immediately.
Immigration officials said the revised procedure is meant to make the process more convenient for citizens while reducing the risk of losing or damaging important personal documents during application.
