Somalia Makes National ID Card Mandatory for Passport Applications

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia has announced that, effective July 1, 2026, all citizens applying for any type of Somali passport will be required to possess a National Identity Card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).

The new requirement follows an agreement between the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) and NIRA aimed at strengthening the integrity, reliability, and security of the country’s official identity and travel documents.

Under the new arrangement, the National Identity Card will become a mandatory prerequisite for all passport applications submitted from July 1 onward.

The government also announced that beginning October 1, 2026, travelers on domestic flights and other internal journeys within Somalia will be required to present the National Identity Card to verify their identity. Authorities said the period leading up to the implementation date will be used for public awareness campaigns and citizen outreach to encourage registration and adoption of the new identification system.

ICA and NIRA said they will continue to deepen their cooperation to combat document fraud, identity theft, and the misuse of citizens’ personal data while promoting the use of secure, government-issued identification documents.

The measures form part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to establish a modern national identification system, strengthen national security, improve the credibility of official documents, and enhance the delivery of public services across Somalia.