MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Immigration and Citizenship Agency of the Federal Republic of Somalia has officially announced a delay in the enforcement of the new travel regulation regarding National Identity Cards. In a statement released on Wednesday, the agency confirmed that the directive, which mandates that all travelers possess a National ID to undertake domestic travel, has been rescheduled to allow for a smoother public transition.
According to the official communique, the regulation was initially set to take legal effect on January 1, 2026. However, following an assessment of the current status of ID distribution and public readiness, the agency has decided to push the deadline back by two months. The mandatory requirement will now become fully operational and strictly enforced starting March 1, 2026.
The decision to postpone the implementation is a strategic move designed to alleviate pressure on travelers and administrative centers. The Immigration and Citizenship Agency stated that the primary objective of this extension is to grant the Somali public a sufficient grace period. This additional time is intended to allow citizens to complete the biometric registration process and acquire their National Identity Cards without facing immediate disruptions to their essential domestic movement and business activities.
In light of this extension, the agency has issued a strong directive urging all citizens to utilize this additional timeframe effectively. Officials emphasized that the public must not wait until the last minute but should instead visit registration centers immediately. The agency called upon all Somalis to secure their documentation before the new March deadline to avoid any travel inconveniences or denial of service when the rule is fully implemented across all domestic airports and checkpoints.
