BRUSSELS (SD) – The European Union has announced temporary restrictions on visa procedures for Somali citizens after determining that Somalia has not sufficiently cooperated in the return and readmission of its nationals ordered to leave EU member states.

The decision follows an EU assessment of Somalia’s cooperation under the bloc’s migration and readmission framework, which evaluates how partner countries facilitate the return of citizens who are staying illegally in Europe.

According to EU officials, administrative and technical challenges have affected Somalia’s ability to process the identification and return of its nationals.

The new measures do not amount to a suspension of visas but are expected to make the application process more restrictive. The changes may include longer processing times, stricter documentation requirements, and fewer long-term or multiple-entry visas.

The restrictions are expected to affect a wide range of travelers, including students, businesspeople, government officials holding diplomatic passports, and other Somali citizens seeking to visit EU countries.

The Somali government has not yet issued an official response to the EU’s decision.

EU officials said the measures are temporary and will be reviewed if Somalia demonstrates improved cooperation on migration management and the readmission of its citizens.

The move comes as European countries continue to tighten immigration policies and increase efforts to reduce irregular migration.

The EU’s decision increases pressure on Somalia to improve cooperation on migrant returns. While the restrictions stop short of suspending visas, they are likely to make travel to Europe more difficult for many Somali citizens. The measures also signal that migration cooperation remains an important factor in the EU’s diplomatic relations with partner countries.