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The Ministry of Interior extends deadline for temporary residency registration, warning of legal action for non-compliance
The government of Somaliland has announced that all foreigners who are living in the country without legal documents must register for temporary residency or face possible legal consequences. This announcement came from the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
According to the Ministry, all undocumented foreigners have been given a deadline to register with the immigration departments between May 6 and May 26, 2025. Anyone who registers during this time will be given a temporary residency permit, allowing them to stay in Somaliland legally for a limited period.
In the official statement, the Ministry said:
“All foreigners in the country are ordered to register with the immigration departments of the Somaliland Ministry of Interior within three weeks, starting from May 6, 2025, and ending on May 26, 2025. Those who register will be granted temporary residency.”
The Ministry also explained that those who apply will need to pay a fee and follow the official steps required to get the temporary residency permit. This includes submitting a formal application at the immigration offices, where they will be given more information about the necessary documents and conditions to stay in the country legally.
In addition to this, the Ministry advised foreigners who are planning to leave Somaliland to inform the immigration authorities before they travel. These individuals must register their departure at official border crossing points.
The government warned that anyone who fails to register by the May 26 deadline will face legal action. The authorities did not specify what kind of legal measures would be taken, but it is likely that deportation or fines could be included.
This new order updates a previous government decision made on April 29, 2025. In that earlier order, undocumented foreigners were told they had only three days to leave the country. That decision caused concern, especially among foreign governments such as Ethiopia, which has many citizens living in Somaliland.
The Ethiopian Government responded quickly. Their Special Representative to Somaliland, Teshome Shunde Hamito, met with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss the issue. During the meeting, the Ethiopian official asked the president to ease the strict order and give more time for Ethiopian citizens to regularize their stay.
The new three-week deadline for registration appears to be a result of that discussion. It gives undocumented foreigners, especially Ethiopians, more time to follow the legal process instead of being forced to leave immediately.
Somaliland is home to thousands of Ethiopians, many of whom work in low-skilled jobs such as domestic work, construction, and street vending. Over the years, the Somaliland government has carried out similar operations to remove undocumented migrants from the country as part of its immigration control measures.
This new move is seen as an effort to better manage the population of foreign residents, ensure that people living in the country are documented, and protect Somaliland’s national security.
Foreigners currently in Somaliland without the right documents are strongly encouraged to visit immigration offices as soon as possible to avoid legal problems. The government says that registering for temporary residency will help both the authorities and the foreigners, by creating a clear and legal process for staying in the country.