Date of publication:

01/09/2026

Somalia

Do domestic laws and policies require forcibly displaced and stateless persons to obtain a work permit to engage in formal wage-earning employment?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Assessment by population
IDPs
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

In both the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Somaliland, foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers, are required to obtain a valid work permit to engage in wage-earning employment. This requirement is set to ensure that foreign workers are legally authorized to work within the country. Employers are responsible for ensuring that their foreign employees possess the necessary work permits and visas. In Somalia, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is primarily responsible for issuing work permits for foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers. The Ministry ensures that the applicants meet the regulatory requirements, including verification of employment offers, and compliance with national labor laws. Similarly, in Somaliland, foreign nationals must obtain a work permit issued by the Ministry of Employment, Labor, and Social Affairs to work legally. This process includes the submission of relevant documentation, approval of employment contracts, and compliance with specific labor regulations. These work permits ensure that all foreign workers, including refugees and asylum seekers, are employed in accordance with the legal framework of each region, contributing to the regulation and management of the labor market.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Labor Code of Somalia

    Legal provision

    Article 8 - Employment of Foreign Workers

    An employer may engage a foreign worker provided that: (a) the foreign worker has a valid work permit issued by the competent authority; (b) the employment of the foreign worker is necessary for the operation of the undertaking; and (c) no qualified Somali worker is available to fill the vacancy.

    Somali Immigration Act
    • Year: 2023
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Freedom of movement, Documentation

    Legal provision

    Article 21: Work Visa

    1. Granted to foreigners employed in Somalia under the Foreign Employment Law (2015). 2. Work visas cannot be issued for jobs that Somali nationals can perform