MOGADISHU — Somalia will begin issuing a new high-security passport in October 2026 as part of efforts to modernize the country’s identity and travel document systems, officials have announced.
The Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Hussein Qasim Yusuf, said the new document will be a third-generation biometric passport featuring enhanced security elements designed to meet international aviation and identification standards.
He said the passport system will be fully integrated with Somalia’s National Identity Card database, meaning applicants will be required to obtain a national ID before being issued the new travel document.
According to authorities, the integration process between passport services and the national identification system is currently underway and is expected to be completed within the coming months ahead of the rollout.
Officials say the reform is intended to improve the credibility and global acceptance of the Somali passport, strengthen border security, and reduce risks of identity fraud and document forgery.
The initiative is part of broader government efforts to digitize public services and build a unified national identity management system, which has been a key priority in recent state modernization programs.
Authorities have not yet announced whether existing passports will remain valid during a transition period or how the rollout will be phased across diplomatic missions abroad.
