Immigration to Somalia

Immigration in Somalia is regulated by the Somali Immigration Department of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Regulation

Due to the long absence of governmental regulation, it is uncertain how many foreigners travel to Somalia per year.[1] However, visas and residence permits are now mandatory for all foreign nationals. As of April 2013, the re-established Somali Immigration Department requires all undocumented foreigners to register at its offices in the capital Mogadishu.[2]

As part of IOM Somalia's Capacity Building for Migration Management (CBMM) projects, a Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) was installed in 2014. The new immigration and border management infrastructure strengthens security by screening travelers at 11 main ports of entry in the country. It in the process registers their biometric data and passport details, and generates statistics for policymakers.[3]

In April 2015, the Federal Cabinet also passed a new policy prioritizing the local workforce and restricting the reliance on foreign labour.[4]

Demographics
Somali expatriates returning from Yemen in Bosaso (2015).

As of 2012, most emigrants to Somalia consist of Somali expatriates, who have returned to Mogadishu and other urban areas for investment opportunities and to take part in the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction process.[5] Through both private efforts and public initiatives like the Somali Diaspora Corps, they have participated in the renovation of schools, hospitals, banks and other infrastructure, and have played a leading role in the capital's recovery.[5][6] They have also helped to propel the local real estate market.[7]

In 2015, after the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, many returning Somali expatriates as well as various foreign nationals began emigrating from Yemen to northern Somalia.[8] The UN expects the number of foreign nationals to eventually reach 100,000 over the following months.[9]

As of September 2014, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation is scheduled to launch the first population census for Somalia in over two decades. The UNFPA assisted the Ministry in the project, which is slated to be finalized ahead of the planned plebiscite and local and national elections in 2016.[10]

Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Somalia

Tourism in Somalia is overseen by the Federal Government of Somalia's Ministry of Tourism. The autonomous Puntland and Somaliland regions maintain their own tourist offices.[11] The industry was traditionally noted for its numerous historical sites, beaches, waterfalls, mountain ranges and national parks.[12] After the start of the civil war in the early 1990s, the Tourism Ministry shut down operations. It was later re-established in the 2000s, and once again oversees the national tourist industry. The Mogadishu-based Somali Tourism Association (SOMTA) also provides on-the-ground consulting services.[13]

Citizenship
Main article: Somali nationality law

In December 2013, the Federal Government officially launched Somalia's new e-passport. Part of a broader initiative to strengthen security, the passport will be issued by the Ministry of Interior's Department of Immigration. Next, citizens are eligible for the e-passport upon production of government-issued national identity documents and birth certificates.[14]

According to Article 54 of the national constitution, the allocation of powers and resources between the Federal Government and the Federal Republic of Somalia's constituent Federal Member States shall be negotiated and agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Federal Member States, except in matters pertaining to citizenship and immigration, foreign affairs, national defense, and monetary policy.[15]

See also

References
  1. "International tourism, number of arrivals". World Bank. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  2. "Somali immigration authority calls for registration of foreigners". Sabahi. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. "Somalia Builds Migration Management Capacity". Goobjoog. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  4. "Somalia passes new policy to restrict employment of 'foreign workers'". Horseed Media. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. Mulupi, Dinfin (21 June 2012). "Mogadishu: East Africa's newest business destination?". How We Made It in Africa. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. "Somali Diaspora Corps". SSG. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  7. Mark T. Jones, Executive Director, Horn of Africa Business Association. "Opportunity Somalia". BN Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Refugees from Yemen Landed In Berabera Town". Goobjoog. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  9. "Yemen Houthis Say 30 Dead, Hundreds Hurt in Saudi Airstrike". Bloomberg. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  10. "SOMALIA: Gov't to launch population census ahead of 2016 elections". RBC Radio. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  11. "New tourism ministry under construction in Garowe". Sabahi. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  12. Coastal and Marine Environmental Problems of Somalia, Volume 1. UNEP. 1987. p. 127.
  13. "Somali Tourism Association (SOMTA)". Somali Tourism Association. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  14. "New epassport will help secure somalias borders". Midnimo. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  15. "The Federal Republic of Somalia - Provisional Constitution" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
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