The Somalia passport has been on the rise in the past decade, improving its global ranking from 128th to 95th on the Passport Power Rank. However, recent issues have surfaced regarding the issuance of the document and its acceptance by other countries, particularly concerning diplomatic passports and Schengen visa applications.
Italy recently suspended issuing Schengen visas to Somali passport holders in Somalia due to concerns over fraudulent applicants with diplomatic passports. This decision could have implications on Somalia’s passport performance, despite its recent improvement in mobility scores.
The Somali government, through the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, has been working to enhance the legitimacy and security features of its passport, aiming to increase recognition by foreign countries. However, the recent visa suspension highlights the need for better controls and transparency in visa applications to regain trust from international partners.