Somaliland Passport

Passports from Somaliland are issued to citizens of the unrecognized country so that they can travel internationally. This passport was first issued in 1996. In 2014, a biometric passport was introduced in accordance with internationally accepted standards and requirements laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Somaliland passport has its national emblem on the front page. It is black in colour with the Somali language, Arabic and English writing.

In general, Somalilanders can travel to countries with economic and friendly ties, such as their neighbours and other nations.

Which countries recognize the Somaliland passport?

When Somaliland became independent in June 1960, 35 countries recognized the state, including China, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Israel, Libya, and the Soviet Union.

List of countries that accept Somaliland’s passport

Somaliland passports can be used to enter the following countries. There are Somaliland diplomatic missions in these countries, whereas most of these countries have diplomatic missions in Somaliland.

UAE, UK, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, and South Sudan are the countries on this list.

The requirements and process for obtaining a passport in Somaliland

A Somaliland Passport can only be issued to a Somaliland Citizen who meets the following requirements:

1. An applicant should provide a copy of his registration card or Somaliland National ID card that was given to him during the election period.

2. In addition, the applicant should present a document from the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) proving the applicant has not committed any crime.

3. Documents from the district attorney’s office verifying that the applicant has not committed any crimes should also be brought.

4. Three recent passport-size photographs are required.

5. The Applicant should submit a completed Passport Application Form.