National ID Card Now Required for Passport Applications

The Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) has announced that a valid National Identity Card is now a mandatory requirement for all Somali passport applications, in a move designed to strengthen the integrity and security of the nation's identity and travel-document system.

The decision followed a high-level meeting attended by the Minister of Internal Security of the Federal Government of Somalia, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Directors General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). The meeting underscored the close cooperation between national institutions in building a unified and trustworthy identity framework.

Effective 1 September 2025, every citizen applying for a Somali passport must first hold a National ID Card. By linking each passport to a verified national identity, the requirement ensures that travel documents are issued only to properly registered citizens.

A reliable national identity system underpins far more than travel documents. It provides a trusted foundation for the delivery of public services, strengthens the relationship between citizens and the state, and helps ensure that each person is uniquely and accurately recorded. Aligning the passport process with the national identity register is a significant step towards that goal.

The measure also reinforces confidence in the Somali passport both at home and abroad. By reducing the risk of duplicate or fraudulent applications, it protects the credibility of the document and supports its wider acceptance at international borders.

Citizens who do not yet hold a National ID Card are encouraged to complete their registration with NIRA before applying for a passport. Planning ahead will help applicants avoid delays and ensure a smooth process once they submit their passport application.

The Agency has assured the public that it will continue to work closely with partner institutions to make the process as smooth and accessible as possible, and that further guidance will be provided to help citizens meet the new requirement.

The measure forms part of a broader national effort to modernise identity management and to align Somalia's civil registration and travel-document systems with international best practice.