EU member countries agreed on Thursday to impose visa restrictions on Somali citizens over the country’s failure to readmit its nationals staying in the EU illegally.
The move comes amid concerns about an uptick in the number of migrants arriving from Somalia, with ministers worrying that just a small share of unsuccessful asylum-seekers end up leaving the EU.
“Countries of origin must fulfill their obligations — otherwise, there can be consequences,” said EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. “Today’s decision means more engagement and determination for better cooperation in readmission.”
The new restrictions indefinitely bar multiple-entry visas, reimpose visa fees for diplomats and extend visa-processing times to 45 days.
First proposed by Brunner, the sanctions are not the EU’s first attempt at compelling countries to cooperate on migrant readmission. Ministers imposed similar measures on Gambia in 2021 and on Ethiopia in 2024. The Ethiopian visa restrictions were lifted in late May after member countries said “cooperation has improved substantially” on readmission.
EU member countries have been rolling out a major overhaul of migration policy in order to increase control over who enters the bloc, including by negotiating new rules that will allow sending rejected asylum seekers to return hubs outside the bloc.
Over half of the EU’s 27 members this month said they want swift action to establish the centers, in a letter seen by POLITICO. The missive was organized by the Danish and Italian governments and signed by 19 leaders.
The European Parliament also passed legislation last week to facilitate the deportation of migrants staying in the EU illegally.