Somalia/United Arab Emirates: Whether the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recognizes Somali passports; whether the UAE issues visas to persons travelling on Somali passports
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 4 April 2008 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ102782.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia/United Arab Emirates: Whether the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recognizes Somali passports; whether the UAE issues visas to persons travelling on Somali passports, 4 April 2008, ZZZ102782.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4829b55a28.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In 3 April 2008 correspondence, an official at the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided the following details on the recognition of Somali passports and the issuance of visas by the UAE, based on information obtained from the UAE Department of Naturalization and Residency – Dubai (DNRD) (Canada 3 Apr. 2008).
The UAE government recognizes passports of all nationalities, including Somali passports, provided that they are "genuine" (Canada 3 Apr. 2008). According to the DNRD, the UAE government has always recognized Somali passports (ibid.).
Concerning the issuance of UAE visas, the Canadian Official noted that for an individual travelling on a Somali passport, a visa is only issued upon arrival in the UAE (ibid.). The Somali visitor would make an application for a visa upon his or her arrival in the UAE (ibid.). Different procedures must be followed by individuals applying for a resident permit; however, details on these procedures were not provided by the Canadian Official (ibid.).
Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Canada. 3 April 2008. Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Correspondence from an official.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Ottawa did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response. Attempts made to contact the UAE Department of Naturalization and Residency – Dubai were unsuccessful.
Internet sites, including: Afrol News; Alertnet.org; AllAfrica; Awdal News Network; The Economist; Factiva; ReliefWeb; Shabelle.net; United Arab Emirates – Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Canada; United Arab Emirates – Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC; United Arab Emirates – Department of Naturalization and Residency, Dubai; United States Department of State; Worldtravelguide.net.
