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REFUND POLICY: National ID Card (NIRA) and Passport Applications

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the terms under which the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Washington, D.C. will and will not issue refunds for National ID Card (NIRA) and passport application fees, given the Embassy’s outreach model for consular services across the United States.

2. How Our Service Works

2.1 Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the only location where the Embassy offers same-day processing for both NIRA National ID card and passport applications. Applicants in Washington, D.C. may apply for both documents in a single visit without prior proof of a NIRA application.

2.2 All Other States
When the Embassy travels to other states to offer consular services, the process occurs in two stages:

  • The Embassy first accepts NIRA National ID card applications only, from new applicants.
  • The Embassy then accepts passport applications only from individuals who already hold proof of a NIRA National ID card application submitted through the Embassy.
  • The Embassy does not accept passport applications from new applicants at these outreach locations. Proof of a NIRA application is a mandatory prerequisite for a passport application at every state outreach location.

3. Refund Policy

3.1 No Payment Without Proof of NIRA Application (Outside Washington, D.C.)
Applicants at any location other than Washington, D.C. who do not have proof of a NIRA National ID card application must not pay for, or submit, a passport application. This requirement does not apply in Washington, D.C., where same-day service for both documents is available.

3.2 Applicant Responsibility
Applicants who proceed to pay for a passport application without uploading valid proof of a NIRA National ID card application do so at their own risk and take full responsibility for that decision.

3.3 No Refunds for Missing or Invalid Proof of NIRA Application
The Embassy will not issue a refund to any applicant, outside of Washington, D.C., who pays for a passport application without uploading valid proof of a NIRA National ID card application. This applies regardless of the reason the proof was missing, incomplete, or invalid at the time of payment.

3.4 Valid Refunds
For refund requests based on reasons other than those described in Section 3.3, applicants must submit a request by email to washingtonembassy@mfa.gov.so no later than 72 hours before their scheduled appointment.

Submission of this 72-hour notice is mandatory. The Embassy will not process any refund or dispute claim that does not meet this requirement, regardless of the underlying reason for the request.

4. Applicant Guidance

To avoid an unnecessary loss of fees, applicants outside Washington, D.C. should:

  • Apply for and obtain proof of a NIRA National ID card application first.
  • Confirm they have valid, uploadable proof of that application before submitting payment for a passport application.
  • Contact the Embassy in advance if they are uncertain whether their proof of NIRA application meets the requirement.

Applicants in Washington, D.C. are not subject to this sequencing requirement, as both applications are processed on the same day at that location only.

All applicants seeking a refund for any other valid reason must submit their request to washingtonembassy@mfa.gov.so at least 72 hours before their appointment. Requests submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

5. Questions

Applicants with questions about this policy, about the status of their NIRA National ID card application, or about submitting a refund request, should contact the Embassy directly at washingtonembassy@mfa.gov.so prior to submitting payment for any passport application or before their scheduled appointment.

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