Date of publication:

01/07/2026

Somalia

Do domestic laws and policies provide for a legal status to refugees, authorizing them to stay in the country?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

The Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland’s legal frameworks establish a formal legal status for individuals granted asylum, ensuring access to rights and protection.  The Somalia Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law and The Puntland Refugee Protection Law provides that recognized refugees are entitled to legal residency, identity/civil documents, protection from deportation, and access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Similarly, Somaliland’s Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law stipulates that individuals granted refugee status receive official documentation, allowing them to remain in the country and access rights comparable to those of nationals. These legal guarantees align with international refugee protection norms, ensuring that recognized refugees receive a stable legal status and protection from arbitrary removal. 

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Somaliland Refugee Protection Law
    • Year: 2023
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation

    Legal provision

    Article 29.2 - The Right to Stay in the Country

    Every person who is in the country in the state of asylum-seeking shall have the right to remain in the country during the process until such a person has been recognized as a refugee.

    Somalia Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law
    • Year: 2023
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation

    Legal provision

    Article 20.2 - Rights of Refugees

    A refugee and their family members shall: (a) Have the right to remain in Somalia for the duration of their recognized refugee status. (b) Be issued refugee identification documents.

    Puntland Refugee Protection Law
    • Year: 2016
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation

    Legal provision

    Article 31.1 - Identification document

    Every Refugee and Asylum-seeker who presents himself to the Refugee Affairs Department Office in accordance with Article 9 shall: - a) be issued with an Identification Card in the prescribed form. b) be permitted to remain or move freely throughout Puntland subject to reasonable restrictions as may be imposed by the Minister