Key facts
- EU member states have agreed to impose visa restrictions on Somali citizens.
- The sanctions are a response to Somalia's failure to readmit its nationals residing illegally in the EU.
- The restrictions include indefinite barring of multiple-entry visas and extended processing times.
- EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner emphasized the need for countries of origin to fulfill their obligations.
- This action is part of a broader EU effort to overhaul migration policy and control borders.
The European Union has agreed to implement visa restrictions on Somali citizens as part of its intensified efforts to combat irregular migration. This decision, reached by EU member states, targets Somalia for its perceived failure to cooperate in readmitting its nationals who are staying in the EU without legal status.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that countries of origin must uphold their obligations regarding the return of their citizens, warning that non-compliance could lead to consequences. The newly agreed-upon sanctions will indefinitely bar multiple-entry visas, reinstate visa fees for diplomats, and extend the visa application processing time to 45 days. This move reflects a broader strategy by the EU to gain greater control over its borders and manage asylum seeker returns.
This is not the first time the EU has employed such measures to compel cooperation on migrant readmission. Similar sanctions were previously imposed on Gambia in 2021 and Ethiopia in 2024. The restrictions on Ethiopia were lifted in May after substantial improvements in cooperation were reported.
The EU is currently undertaking a significant overhaul of its migration policies. This includes negotiating new rules to establish return hubs outside the bloc for rejected asylum seekers. A letter signed by 19 EU leaders, organized by Denmark and Italy, urged swift action on these centers. Concurrently, the European Parliament has advanced legislation aimed at streamlining the deportation process for migrants residing illegally within the EU.