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{{Short description|Passport issued to citizens of Somalia}}
{{confused|Somaliland passport}}
{{Infobox Identity document
{{Infobox Identity document
| document_name = Somali ePassport
| document_name = Somali ePassport
| image =
| image =[[File:Passport of the Federal Republic of Somalia.png|230px]]
| image_caption = Front cover of a contemporary Somalia ePassport
| image_caption =Passport of Somalia
| date_first_issued = 28 February 2007 <br> (biometric version)
| date_first_issued = 1960 (First edition) <br/>
28 February 2007 <br> (Current biometric version)
| using_jurisdiction = {{flag|Somalia}}
| using_jurisdiction = {{flag|Somalia}}
| valid_jurisdictions =
| valid_jurisdictions =
Line 9: Line 12:
| purpose = Identification
| purpose = Identification
| eligibility = [[Somali nationality law|Somali citizenship]]
| eligibility = [[Somali nationality law|Somali citizenship]]
| expiration =
| expiration = 5 years
}}
}}
The '''Somali passport''' is a [[passport]] issued to citizens of [[Somalia]] for international travel. Green Passports were formerly used, which have since been replaced with [[Biometric passport|biometric]] passports to ensure authenticity. The passports are regulated by the federal government of Somalia.
The '''Somali passport''' ({{langx|so|baasaboor}}) is a [[passport]] issued to citizens of [[Somalia]] for international travel. Green Passports were formerly used, which have since been replaced with [[Biometric passport|biometric]] passports to ensure authenticity. The passports are regulated by the federal government of Somalia.


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:British Somaliland passport.jpg|thumb| British Somaliland passport used in the 1930s.]]
In the 1930s, British Somaliland passports were issued.

[[File:Passport of Somalia nonbimetric.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The front cover of the old non-biometric ''Green Passport''.]]
[[File:Passport of Somalia nonbimetric.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The front cover of the old non-biometric ''Green Passport''.]]
Somalia's former [[Somali Democratic Republic|socialist]] government originally used to issue a non-[[Biometric passport|biometric]] ''Green Passport''. This travel document still remained in use after the collapse of former President [[Siad Barre]]'s regime.<ref name="Tbuoosp">{{cite web|last1=Deperani|first1=Jama|title=TFG Bans Use of Old Somali Passport|url=http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1588|publisher=Somalia Report|access-date=30 October 2016|date=17 September 2011}}</ref>
Somalia's former [[Somali Democratic Republic|socialist government]] originally used to issue a non-[[Biometric passport|biometric]] ''Green Passport''. This travel document still remained in use after the collapse of former President [[Siad Barre]]'s regime.<ref name="Tbuoosp">{{cite web|last1=Deperani|first1=Jama|title=TFG Bans Use of Old Somali Passport|url=http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1588|publisher=Somalia Report|access-date=30 October 2016|date=17 September 2011}}</ref>


After the collapse of the government and a power vacuum emerged with the [[Somali Civil War]], numerous countries refused to recognize Somali passports and other documents due to widespread counterfeiting and black marketing, destruction of many records and a lack of recognized government.<ref name="hiiraan">{{cite web|access-date=2024-11-18|title=Belgium will now recognize Somali passports|url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2019/apr/163057/belgium_will_now_recognize_somali_passports.aspx|website=www.hiiraan.com}}</ref><ref name="Canada">{{cite web|access-date=2024-11-18|title=Discussion on travel documents from Somalia with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada|url=https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/research/Pages/somalia-questions-answers.aspx|date=25 June 2018|website=[[Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada]]}}</ref><ref name="US">{{cite web|access-date=2024-11-18|title=Somalia Reciprocity Schedule|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Somalia.html|website=travel.state.gov}}</ref> As of 2024, countries that do no recognize the Somali passport include several European Union member states,<ref name="hiiraan"/><ref name="EMN">{{Cite report |url=https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-09/587_emn_ahq_identity_documents_issued_somalia_nationals_en.pdf |title=Ad-Hoc Query on recognition of identification documents issued by Somalia nationals |date=15 September 2014 |publisher=[[European Migration Network]]}}</ref> the United States,<ref name="US"/> the United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-11-18|title=Somali Delegation Advances Passport Recognition Talks in UK|url=https://halqabsi.com/2024/02/somali-passport-recognition-talks-in-uk/|date=23 February 2024}}</ref> and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|last1=Immigration|access-date=2024-11-18|title=Valid passports and other travel documents needed to come to Canada|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/passport-travel-document.html|date=12 May 2023|website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> Countries that do not recognize the Somali passport may instead issue an approved visa on a separate travel document.<ref name="Canada"/><ref name="EMN"/>
⚫
In response to widespread counterfeit Somali passports that subsequently flooded the black market, the [[Transitional National Government]] opened a new office in the 2000s to issue official state-approved passports. According to then Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad Mahmud Shiil, the government would continue issuing old Somali passports with a new dry seal to prevent forgery or duplication, and passports already in circulation would a stamp with the new seal.<ref name="Spofop">{{cite web|title=Passport office opened|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/34120/somalia-passport-office-opened|publisher=IRIN|access-date=30 October 2016|date=4 September 2002}}</ref> The government announced in 2006 that it would issue a new machine-readable document to further ensure authenticity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Somalia's new passport sparks row|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6132204.stm|access-date=30 October 2016|work=[[BBC News]]|date=9 November 2006}}</ref>

⚫
In response the [[Transitional National Government]] opened a new office in the 2000s to issue official state-approved passports. According to then Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad Mahmud Shiil, the government would continue issuing old Somali passports with a new dry seal to prevent forgery or duplication, and passports already in circulation would a stamp with the new seal.<ref name="Spofop">{{cite web|title=Passport office opened|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/34120/somalia-passport-office-opened|publisher=IRIN|access-date=30 October 2016|date=4 September 2002}}</ref> The government announced in 2006 that it would issue a new machine-readable document to further ensure authenticity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Somalia's new passport sparks row|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6132204.stm|access-date=30 October 2016|work=[[BBC News]]|date=9 November 2006}}</ref>


Since 2007, the [[Transitional Federal Government]] (TFG) of Somalia has issued an [[e-passport]] to comply with stricter international rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200702/09/print20070209_348606.html|title=Somalia introduces new e-passport|date=9 February 2007|publisher=People's Daily|access-date=14 May 2010}}</ref> In November 2010, the TFG opened a new passport-making facility in [[Mogadishu]], the nation's capital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Somali Immigration Department Established New Passport Making Facility in Mogadishu|url=http://somaliweyn.org/pages/news/Nov_10/22Nov30.html|publisher=Somaliweyn.org|access-date=30 October 2016|date=22 November 2010}}</ref> Printing of the travel documents had previously been conducted in the [[United Arab Emirates]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Somali govt starts issuing new e-passports|url=http://afrol.com/articles/24890|publisher=Afrol News|access-date=30 October 2016|date=28 March 2013}}</ref> which reportedly engendered a backlog in passport issuance. The repatriated printing facilities are believed to offer a more responsive passport delivery process. Officially issued by the Somali Immigration Department, the passports now contain built-in security features comparable with other countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Somalia Introduces New Secure National ID and E-Passport with HID Global and Their Partners|url=https://www.hidglobal.com/press-releases/somalia-introduces-new-secure-national-id-and-e-passport-hid-global-and-their|publisher=HID Global|access-date=30 October 2016|date=21 April 2014}}</ref>
Since 2007, the [[Transitional Federal Government]] (TFG) of Somalia has issued an [[e-passport]] to comply with stricter international rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200702/09/print20070209_348606.html|title=Somalia introduces new e-passport|date=9 February 2007|publisher=People's Daily|access-date=14 May 2010}}</ref> In November 2010, the TFG opened a new passport-making facility in [[Mogadishu]], the nation's capital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Somali Immigration Department Established New Passport Making Facility in Mogadishu|url=http://somaliweyn.org/pages/news/Nov_10/22Nov30.html|publisher=Somaliweyn.org|access-date=30 October 2016|date=22 November 2010}}</ref> Printing of the travel documents had previously been conducted in the [[United Arab Emirates]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Somali govt starts issuing new e-passports|url=http://afrol.com/articles/24890|publisher=Afrol News|access-date=30 October 2016|date=28 March 2013}}</ref> which reportedly engendered a backlog in passport issuance. The repatriated printing facilities are believed to offer a more responsive passport delivery process. Officially issued by the Somali Immigration Department, the passports now contain built-in security features comparable with other countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Somalia Introduces New Secure National ID and E-Passport with HID Global and Their Partners|url=https://www.hidglobal.com/press-releases/somalia-introduces-new-secure-national-id-and-e-passport-hid-global-and-their|publisher=HID Global|access-date=30 October 2016|date=21 April 2014}}</ref>
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In December 2013, the Deputy Director-General of Somali Immigration and Naturalization Abdullahi Hagi Bashir Ismail announced that the [[Federal Government of Somalia|Federal Government]] officially launched Somalia's new e-passport. Part of a broader initiative to strengthen security, the passport is issued by the [[Ministry of Interior and Security (Somalia)|Ministry of Interior]]'s Department of Immigration. Citizens are eligible for the e-passport upon production of government-issued national identity documents and birth certificates.<ref name="Mnewhssb">{{cite news|title=New epassport will help secure somalias borders|url=http://www.midnimo.com/2013/12/23/new-e-passport-will-help-secure-somalias-borders-says-president-somalia/|access-date=25 December 2013|newspaper=Midnimo|date=23 December 2013}}</ref>
In December 2013, the Deputy Director-General of Somali Immigration and Naturalization Abdullahi Hagi Bashir Ismail announced that the [[Federal Government of Somalia|Federal Government]] officially launched Somalia's new e-passport. Part of a broader initiative to strengthen security, the passport is issued by the [[Ministry of Interior and Security (Somalia)|Ministry of Interior]]'s Department of Immigration. Citizens are eligible for the e-passport upon production of government-issued national identity documents and birth certificates.<ref name="Mnewhssb">{{cite news|title=New epassport will help secure somalias borders|url=http://www.midnimo.com/2013/12/23/new-e-passport-will-help-secure-somalias-borders-says-president-somalia/|access-date=25 December 2013|newspaper=Midnimo|date=23 December 2013}}</ref>

The Somali passport is not considered as valid travel document by Canada. Canada considers any passport issued by Somalia as unreliable document.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Immigration |first1=Refugees and Citizenship Canada |title=Valid passports and other travel documents needed to come to Canada |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/passport-travel-document.html |website=aem |date=30 January 2020}}</ref>


==Visa requirements==
==Visa requirements==
{{main|Visa requirements for Somali citizens}}
{{main|Visa requirements for Somali citizens}}
[[Image:Visa requirements for Somali citizens.png|400px|right|thumb|Visa requirements for Somali citizens{{legend|red|Somalia}}{{legend|#009F3F|Visa-free access for Somali citizens}}{{legend|#B6E51D|Visa may be issued on arrival}}]]
[[Image:Visa Requirements for Somali Citizens.svg|400px|right|thumb|Visa requirements for Somali citizens
{{legend|#002377|Somalia}}
⚫
As of 1 January 2017, Somali citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 30 countries and territories, ranking the Somali passport 100th in terms of travel freedom according to the [[Visa (document)#Visa restrictions|Henley visa restrictions index]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Ranking - Visa Restriction Index 2017|url=https://henleyglobal.com/files/download/hvri/HP_Visa_Restrictions_Index_170301.pdf|publisher=Henley & Partners|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref>
{{legend|#1191E5|Freedom of movement}}
{{legend|#22B14C|Visa free}}
{{legend|#B5E61D|Visa issued upon arrival}}
{{legend|#61C7A1|eVisa}}
{{legend|#79D343|Visa available both on arrival or online}}
{{legend|#ABABAB|Visa required prior to arrival}}]]
⚫
As of 1 January 2017, Somali citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 30 countries and territories, placing the Somali passport in the 100th-ranking group in terms of travel with no prior visa according to the [[Visa (document)#Visa restrictions|Henley visa restrictions index]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Ranking – Visa Restriction Index 2017|url=https://henleyglobal.com/files/download/hvri/HP_Visa_Restrictions_Index_170301.pdf|publisher=Henley & Partners|access-date=14 March 2017}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 23:13, 25 November 2024

Not to be confused with Somaliland passport.
Somali ePassport
Passport of Somalia
TypePassport
Issued by Somalia
First issued1960 (First edition)
28 February 2007
(Current biometric version)
PurposeIdentification
EligibilitySomali citizenship
Expiration5 years

The Somali passport (Somali: baasaboor) is a passport issued to citizens of Somalia for international travel. Green Passports were formerly used, which have since been replaced with biometric passports to ensure authenticity. The passports are regulated by the federal government of Somalia.

Overview

[edit]
British Somaliland passport used in the 1930s.

In the 1930s, British Somaliland passports were issued.

The front cover of the old non-biometric Green Passport.

Somalia's former socialist government originally used to issue a non-biometric Green Passport. This travel document still remained in use after the collapse of former President Siad Barre's regime.[1]

After the collapse of the government and a power vacuum emerged with the Somali Civil War, numerous countries refused to recognize Somali passports and other documents due to widespread counterfeiting and black marketing, destruction of many records and a lack of recognized government.[2][3][4] As of 2024, countries that do no recognize the Somali passport include several European Union member states,[2][5] the United States,[4] the United Kingdom[6] and Canada.[7] Countries that do not recognize the Somali passport may instead issue an approved visa on a separate travel document.[3][5]

In response the Transitional National Government opened a new office in the 2000s to issue official state-approved passports. According to then Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad Mahmud Shiil, the government would continue issuing old Somali passports with a new dry seal to prevent forgery or duplication, and passports already in circulation would a stamp with the new seal.[8] The government announced in 2006 that it would issue a new machine-readable document to further ensure authenticity.[9]

Since 2007, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia has issued an e-passport to comply with stricter international rules.[10] In November 2010, the TFG opened a new passport-making facility in Mogadishu, the nation's capital.[11] Printing of the travel documents had previously been conducted in the United Arab Emirates,[12] which reportedly engendered a backlog in passport issuance. The repatriated printing facilities are believed to offer a more responsive passport delivery process. Officially issued by the Somali Immigration Department, the passports now contain built-in security features comparable with other countries.[13]

In September 2011, the Transitional Federal Government officially banned use of Somalia's old Green Passport. According to Somali Immigration Officer, General Abdulaahi Gaafow Mohamoud, the identification document would no longer be accepted for business trips or travel by the end of the month. He added that the Green Passport would be replaced with a new blue model of e-passports that are particularly difficult to forge.[1]

In December 2013, the Deputy Director-General of Somali Immigration and Naturalization Abdullahi Hagi Bashir Ismail announced that the Federal Government officially launched Somalia's new e-passport. Part of a broader initiative to strengthen security, the passport is issued by the Ministry of Interior's Department of Immigration. Citizens are eligible for the e-passport upon production of government-issued national identity documents and birth certificates.[14]

Visa requirements

[edit]
Main article: Visa requirements for Somali citizens
Visa requirements for Somali citizens
  Somalia
  Freedom of movement
  Visa free
  Visa issued upon arrival
  eVisa
  Visa available both on arrival or online
  Visa required prior to arrival

As of 1 January 2017, Somali citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 30 countries and territories, placing the Somali passport in the 100th-ranking group in terms of travel with no prior visa according to the Henley visa restrictions index.[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Deperani, Jama (17 September 2011). "TFG Bans Use of Old Somali Passport". Somalia Report. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Belgium will now recognize Somali passports". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  3. ^ a b "Discussion on travel documents from Somalia with Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  4. ^ a b "Somalia Reciprocity Schedule". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  5. ^ a b Ad-Hoc Query on recognition of identification documents issued by Somalia nationals (PDF) (Report). European Migration Network. 15 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Somali Delegation Advances Passport Recognition Talks in UK". 23 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  7. ^ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (12 May 2023). "Valid passports and other travel documents needed to come to Canada". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  8. ^ "Passport office opened". IRIN. 4 September 2002. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Somalia's new passport sparks row". BBC News. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Somalia introduces new e-passport". People's Daily. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  11. ^ "Somali Immigration Department Established New Passport Making Facility in Mogadishu". Somaliweyn.org. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Somali govt starts issuing new e-passports". Afrol News. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Somalia Introduces New Secure National ID and E-Passport with HID Global and Their Partners". HID Global. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  14. ^ "New epassport will help secure somalias borders". Midnimo. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Global Ranking – Visa Restriction Index 2017" (PDF). Henley & Partners. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
[edit]
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