Date of publication:

01/09/2026

Somalia

Do domestic laws and policies facilitate the recognition of diplomas, certificates and degrees obtained abroad and in areas not under the State's control, including to practice liberal professions?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Assessment by population
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

The Federal Government of Somalia and the Somaliland administration have not yet established a comprehensive legal framework governing the recognition of foreign qualifications or the granting of professional work permissions for refugees, asylum seekers, or stateless persons. In the absence of unified legislation, recognition and permission to work in regulated professions are generally handled on a case-by-case basis, subject to the discretion of relevant professional bodies and government authorities. Decisions are influenced by existing policy guidelines, sector-specific regulations, and administrative practices, which may vary across institutions and regions. While this flexible approach allows for individual assessments, it also highlights the need for clear and standardized procedures to ensure fair and consistent access to professional opportunities for displaced and stateless individuals, in alignment with international commitments to the right to work and economic inclusion.