Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration handles matters related to civil status, identification, and the movement of people to and from Mohéli. On the citizenship side, this ministry maintains the Civil Registry, recording births, marriages, and deaths in Mohéli and issuing the corresponding certificates. It assists Mohéli residents in obtaining national identification cards and passports (though passports are issued by Union authorities, applications can be submitted through this local ministry office for convenience).
The ministry often runs mobile clinics to remote villages to register births and ensure every citizen’s paperwork is in order, as part of its commitment to inclusivity. Regarding immigration, the ministry manages Mohéli’s local immigration office, which processes visa requests, work permits, and residency permits for foreigners on the island. Any international visitor or expatriate worker on Mohéli will engage with this ministry to ensure their stay is legal and documented. The ministry also supports Comorian diaspora returnees; through a dedicated Returning Nationals unit, it simplifies procedures for those Mohéli natives or Comorian citizens abroad who are coming back to resettle or invest on the island (offering guidance on required documents, customs for personal goods, etc.).
Additionally, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is the focal point for the now-suspended Citizenship by Investment program of the Union (should it be reactivated or if inquiries arise). While the Union government managed that program, local offices in Mohéli provided information and processed initial interest. Above all, this ministry aims to uphold the rights associated with Comorian citizenship and to facilitate legal travel and migration.
