Immigration and Citizenship AgencyFederal Government of Somalia

About the Agency

Hay'adda Socdaalka iyo Jinsiyadda Soomaaliyeed — the Immigration and Citizenship Agency of the Federal Government of Somalia.

The Vision

To be the global leader in delivery of immigration and citizenship services.

The Mission

To enhance national security and socio-economic development of Somalia by offering exceptional migration services, and timely registration and issuance of secure identification and travel documents.

Mandate and Core Functions

The Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia is mandated with the management of migration in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia and other laws of the country.

An officer processing a traveller at passport control
  1. 1Facilitation and development of travel services related to the Immigration and Naturalization Agency.
  2. 2Issuing all types of travel documents of the country such as passports, visas, temporary sojourn, and residence permits.
  3. 3Border controls for the exit and entry of the country.
  4. 4Registration of refugees and asylum seekers on arrival, issuing temporary immigration documents, and sharing their information with the national refugees' agency, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) agency and all concerned security agencies for their safety.
  5. 5Inspecting the validity and authenticity of passports and travel documents at border control check points during exit and entry.
  6. 6Checking and collection of personal information of citizens and foreigners at border controls and entry and exit points such as airports.
  7. 7Fulfilment of roles in refugee and asylum seeker affairs in accordance with national laws and the International Convention for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, to which Somalia is a signatory.
  8. 8Deportation and prevention of leaving the country by travellers blacklisted by court or by orders from the government.
  9. 9Clarifying and validating applications for Somali citizenship by foreigners, and ensuring that applications meet all conditions and requirements.
  10. 10Thwarting all crimes related to immigration and naturalization.
  11. 11Combating human rights violations in the form of illegal deportation prohibited by law.
  12. 12Returnees process management.
  13. 13Upholding international conventions and agreements related to immigration and naturalization to which Somalia is a signatory.

Core Values

  • 01

    Integrity

  • 02

    Professionalism

  • 03

    Security and sovereignty

  • 04

    Inclusivity and diversity

  • 05

    Innovation and adaptability

  • 06

    Collaboration and partnership

  • 07

    Compassion and respect for human rights

Strategic Goals

  • 1Improve management and access of immigration services.
  • 2Ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards in the issuance of secure passports and other travel documents.
  • 3Effectively regulate entry and exit of persons.
  • 4Enhance refugee management services.
  • 5Enhance access to refugee services and restore dignity for refugees and asylum seekers.
  • 6Enhance efficiency in service delivery.
  • 7Improve administration and institutional capacity.
A training session on the Agency's traveller recording system

Quality Policy

The Agency is committed to the management of migration in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia and other laws of the country. To achieve this, the Agency will:

  • 01

    Identify and understand clients' needs and expectations

  • 02

    Provide services that meet or exceed our clients' expectations

  • 03

    Develop and equip a team of highly qualified staff through continuous capacity building

  • 04

    Develop a Quality Management Policy and continuously improve the quality assurance process

  • 05

    Ensure that quality objectives associated with this policy are established and regularly reviewed

Structure of the Agency

The Agency's main structure consists of two divisions — Immigration and Citizenship — supported by the DG Executive Support Office, which provides executive secretariat functions and technical advisory services to the Director General.

  1. 1One (1) Director General
  2. 2Two (2) Deputy Directors — Immigration and Citizenship
  3. 3Technical Advisors
  4. 4Department Directors
  5. 5Branch Directors
  6. 6Heads of Sections
  7. 7Offices

The eleven departments

  • Citizenship Department
  • Border Control Management Department
  • Operations and Solutions Department
  • Social Affairs Department
  • Human Resources and Trainings Department
  • Admin and Finance Department
  • Information and Communication Technology Department
  • Investigation and Integrity Department
  • Planning & Statistics Department
  • External Affairs Department
  • Visa and Alien Department