The European Union has temporarily tightened visa rules for Somali nationals, citing what it says is insufficient cooperation by Somalia in accepting the return (“readmission”) of its citizens who are staying irregularly in EU member states.

The Council of the European Union said the decision followed an assessment by the European Commission, which concluded that Somalia’s level of cooperation on readmission is “insufficient.” As a result, EU member states were instructed to suspend the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Somali citizens under the Schengen framework.

In addition to ending multiple-entry visa issuance, the EU measures remove certain visa facilitation options previously available to Somali applicants. Member states were told they may no longer waive specific supporting documentation requirements for Somali visa applicants, and holders of Somali diplomatic and service passports would no longer qualify for visa fee waivers, meaning standard visa application fees would apply.

The EU also increased the standard processing period for Somali visa applications, extending it from 15 days to 45 calendar days. The restrictions are described as temporary but without a fixed end date, and the European Commission would continue assessing whether Somalia improves cooperation on readmission.

The EU said the objective of the changes is to encourage stronger cooperation from Somalia on the return of nationals who do not have legal status in EU countries. The measures focus on short-stay Schengen visas and are presented as part of the bloc’s wider visa policy tools when countries do not respond adequately to readmission requests.