MOGADISHU: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, today welcomed the Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), Hussein Qasim Yusuf, at the ministry headquarters in Mogadishu. The discussions centered on enhancing collaboration between the two institutions, focusing on the management of diplomatic, service, and official government passports, as well as immigration procedures and information sharing to improve coordination and service delivery. Both parties also committed to forming a joint technical team to advance cooperation on government travel documentation and related consular matters.
The meeting between Minister Abdisalam and Director General Yusuf underscores ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline Somalia’s immigration and passport systems. In recent months, the ICA has introduced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have reduced passport processing times: new applications can now be completed within seven days, and renewals within just four days, reflecting the agency’s broader commitment to efficiency and transparency.
The standardization and security of government travel documents are central to the broader government reform agenda. The ICA has been working closely with its attachés stationed in Somali embassies and consulates worldwide to enhance services for citizens abroad, focusing on uniform standards, digital innovation, and better coordination between Mogadishu and diplomatic missions. This latest engagement aligns with the government’s goal to make Somali passport and immigration services more secure, transparent, and accessible, while reducing opportunities for fraud.
Somalia has also taken significant steps to digitize its border management systems. Since September 2025, all travelers of Somali origin holding foreign passports have been required to obtain an E-visa before entering the country, part of a broader shift toward electronic visa systems designed to boost efficiency, strengthen border control, and support digital governance. The initiative aims to close gaps in record-keeping and security vetting that previously existed when Somali-origin travelers entered without visas.
Minister Abdisalam has consistently prioritized the strengthening of institutional coordination within the government’s foreign policy apparatus. The creation of a joint technical team with the ICA is expected to further harmonize consular affairs, improve the integrity of government travel documents, and ensure that Somali citizens — both at home and in the diaspora — receive efficient and reliable services. Both sides have pledged to continue their close collaboration on these priorities in the coming months.
