Moving to Comoros: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

846,281

Population Growth Rate

1.97%

Urban Population

28.000000

Population in Major Urban Areas

MORONI (capital) 54,000

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Age Structure

40.100000

Median Age

19.000000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

30

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.97

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.93

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

25.7%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

25.7%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-2.63

Ethnic Groups

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Language Note

Even though, Arabic and French are the official languages, most people speak Comoran, a mixture of Arabic and Swahili.

Nationality Noun

Comoran(s)

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Literacy - total population

56.5%

Literacy - male

63.6%

Literacy - female

49.3%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.6%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

13.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

63.120000

Infant Mortality Rate

67.120000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

67.120000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

280

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.15

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.2

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.3%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.4%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

0.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

50.000000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

25%

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Economic Overview

One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources.

The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance.

Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.

Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang ylang (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather.

Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports.

Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP.

France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor.

Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate.

Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth.

The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states.

Industries

Fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$2,730,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$1,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$622,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 104.9% Government
• consumption: 19.2% Investment in fixed
• capital: 11.2% Investment in
• inventories: 10.3% Exports of goods and
• services: 19.4% Imports of goods and
• services: -65%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

50%

GDP by Sector- Industry

12.1%

GDP by Sector- services

37.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

0.5%

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Inflation Rate

1.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

449.1

Currency Name and Code

Comoran francs (KMF)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

10.5%

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Labor Force

245,200

Unemployment Rate

6.5%

Major Industries

Fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

Agriculture Products

Vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc)

Population Below Poverty Line

44.8%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

39,550

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

27%

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Labor Force By Occupation - industry and services

20%

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

80%

Annual Budget

$165,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-3.3%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

26.5%

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Full Country Name

Union of the Comoros

Country Name

Comoros

Local - Long

Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)/Union des Comores (French)/Al Ittihad al Qumuri (Arabic)

Local - Short

Komori (Comorian)/Les Comores (French)/Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)

Former Name

Comorian State, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros

Etymology- history of name

Name derives from the Arabic designation "Juzur al Qamar" meaning "Islands of the Moon"

Independence

6 July 1975 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

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Government Type

Federal Presidential Republic

Constitution

• History: Previous 1996, 2001; newest adopted 30 July 2018
• Amendments: Proposed by the president of the union or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Union membership; adoption requires approval by at least three-quarters majority of the total Assembly membership or approval in a referendum.
• Note: A referendum held on 30 July 2018 - boycotted by the opposition - overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that allows for 2 consecutive 5-year presidential terms and revises the rotating presidency within the islands.

Legal System:

Mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law

Executive Branch:

• Chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• Head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016)
• Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
• Elections/Appointments: President directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 14 January 2024 (next to be held in 2029)
• Election Results: 2024: AZALI Assoumani reelected president in first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 63%, SALIM ISSA Abdallah (PJ) 20.3%, DAOUDOU Abdallah Mohamed (Orange Party) 5.9%, Bourhane HAMIDOU (independent) 5.1% 2019: AZALI Assoumani elected president in first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 60.8%, Ahamada MAHAMOUDOU (PJ) 14.6%, Mouigni Baraka Said SOILIHI (independent) 5.6%, other 19%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly elected by the 3 island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: Last held on 19 January 2020 with a runoff on 23 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
• Election Results: Percent of vote by party in first round - CRC 60.9%, Orange Party 4.3%, independent 30.8%, other 4%; percent of vote by party in the second round - CRC 54.1%, Orange Party 18.9%, independent 26.1%, other 1%; seats by party in the first round - CRC 16, Orange Party 1, independent 2; seats by party in the second round - CRC 4, Orange Party 1;
• Note: 9 additional seats filled by the 3 island assemblies;
• Note: main opposition parties boycotted election; composition for elected members as of 2022 - men 20, women 4, percent of women 16.7%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court judges - selection and term of office NA
• Subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts

Regions or States:

3 islands Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali)

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assoumani]
• Juwa Party (Parti Juwa) or PJ [Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed SAMBI]
• Orange Party [Mohamed DAOUDOU]
• Note: only parties with seats in the Assembly of the Union included (2020)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: No Citizenship by descent
• only: At least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros Dual citizenship
• recognized: No Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

Capital Name

Moroni

Capital - geographic coordinate

11 42 S, 43 14 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• AMF
• AOSIS
• AU
• CAEU (candidates)
• COMESA
• FAO
• FZ
• G-77
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IDB
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• InOC
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAS
• MIGA
• NAM
• OIC
• OIF
• OPCW
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO (observer)

International Law Organization Participation:

Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: The US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Issimail CHANFI (since 23 December 2020)
• Chancery: Permanent Mission to the UN, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York, NY 10017
• Telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
• FAX: [1] (212) 750-1657
• Email: comoros@un.int
• Website: https://www.un.int/comoros/

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

12 10 S, 44 15 E

Total Area

863 Square Miles 2,235 Square Kilometers

Land Area

863 Square Miles 2,235 Square Kilometers

Coastline

211 Miles 340 Kilometers

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Terrain

Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Highest Point

2,360 Meters

Highest Point Location

Le Kartala 2,360 m

Lowest Point Location

Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

NEGL

Irrigated Land

0 Square Miles 1 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Terrain

Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Location

Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Total Area

863 Square Miles 2,235 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

Soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing

deforestation

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$19,200,000 (USD)

Imports

$191,200,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves

Major Imports

Rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement and construction materials, transport equipment

Top Export Partners

India 28.7%, France 17%, Germany 8.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Singapore 6.6%, Netherlands 6.1%, Mauritius 5.3%

Top Import Partners

China 18.9%, Pakistan 16.2%, France 14.7%, UAE 11.3%, India 6.3%

Export Partners

India 28.7%, France 17%, Germany 8.7%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Singapore 6.6%, Netherlands 6.1%, Mauritius 5.3%

Import Partners

China 18.9%, Pakistan 16.2%, France 14.7%, UAE 11.3%, India 6.3%

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Country Description

The Union of the Comoros is a developing nation located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.

Comoros consists of three islands--Ngazidja (also known as Grand Comore), Moheli, and Anjouan--that cover about 900 square miles.

A fourth island, Mayotte, officially changed status from a French “collectivity” to an actual French Department in March 2011.

All four islands are within the consular jurisdiction of the U.S.

Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Ngazidja is home to the capital city, Moroni, and is the most developed of the three islands.

Facilities for tourism are limited and telecommunication links are unreliable.

French, Arabic, Swahili, and Comoran are spoken.

Safety & Security

Comoros has experienced occasional strikes and civil unrest, resulting in violent clashes between police and demonstrators, and has a history of coups since becoming independent.

We recommend that U.S. citizens exercise extreme caution near demonstrations and avoid political rallies and street demonstrations as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

Conditions change rapidly on the islands of the Comoros due to weak political institutions and a lack of economic development.

Reports of religious-based violence are rare.

Although foreign residents and visitors have not been targeted for violence, the potential for further outbreaks of civil disorder remains, and U.S. citizens should exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant.

Running water and electric power are unreliable, even at the most upscale hotels on the islands, and nonexistent for the most part outside the few urban areas.

Care should be taken to ensure that water is potable and that food is cleaned and properly cooked.

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Crime

You should be vigilant against pickpocketing and other forms of petty crime when visiting crowded market areas, parks, and at the beaches.

Violent crime is uncommon; Moheli, for example, has not reported a homicide in decades.

The most commonly reported crime is home break-ins.

Most reported crimes are crimes of opportunity.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in your host country, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating the laws of Comoros, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs in Comoros are strict, with convicted offenders receiving a mandatory minimum five-year jail sentence and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Please note that there is no official permanent U.S. presence in Comoros – such official notification to U.S. authorities must be made to the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical care is substandard throughout the country including Grande Comore.

Adequate evacuation insurance coverage for all travelers is a high priority.

Travelers should carry their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventive medicines.

Malaria is prevalent in Comoros.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers to Comoros should take one of the following antimalarial drugs: mefloquine (Lariam™), doxycycline, or atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone™).

Other protective measures, such as the use of bed nets and insect repellants, help to reduce malaria risk.

Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention, and tell the physician their travel history and what antimalarials they have been taking.

For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and antimalarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health web pages.

The East African Indian Ocean islands have seen a rise in the cases of chikungunya, a viral dengue-like ailment, and dengue itself.

As with malaria, chikungunya and dengue are transmitted by mosquitoes.

Every effort should be made to use bed nets, repellants, proper clothing, and other barriers that discourage/prevent mosquito bites.

The CDC has further information on chikungunya and dengue on its website.

Rabies vaccines should be considered for shorter stays for adventure travelers, hikers, backpackers, or rural travelers who are staying more than 24 hours away from a reliable source of human rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine for post-exposure treatment.

Take seriously all bat, carnivore, and other mammal bites or scratches, and seek post-exposure prophylaxis even if already immunized.

There is a high risk of marine hazards (jellyfish, coral, and sea urchins) as well as traveler’s diarrhea throughout the country.

Food and beverage precautions are essential in order to reduce chances of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide (Imodium®) and/or a quinolone (Ciprofloxacin) antibiotic for presumptive self-treatment, if diarrhea occurs.

Traffic Safety

While in Comoros, you will encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

In Comoros, one drives on the right side of the street.

Roads are ill-maintained, congested, very narrow, and poorly lit at night.

Travelers should exercise extreme caution when driving after dark, or walking along trafficked roads.

Some urban roads are paved, but many rural roads are not.

Most roads are full of potholes and dangerous curves.

Roads have no posted speed limits, but road conditions limit speeds to well below 30 miles an hour.

Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.

There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

There are no organizations in Comoros that provide emergency or roadside assistance.

Individuals involved in accidents rely on passersby for assistance.

Taxis or a rental car with driver are preferable to public transportation.

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Airports - total

4

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Roadways- total

547 Miles 880 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

418 Miles 673 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou

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Telephones

25,400

Cell Phones

40,000

Internet Users

21,000

Internet Country Code

.km

Internet Hosts

14

Broadcast Media

• National state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government
• national state-owned radio
• regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station
• a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV

Telephone System

• Assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations
• Domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 30 per 100 persons
• International: country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

20,460,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

22,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

1,025

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Anthem History

Adopted upon independence in 1978, it was written by Said Hachim Sidi Abderemane who also composed the music, along with Kamildine Abdallah.

Anthem Lyrics

Udzima wa ya Masiwa" ("The Union of the Great Islands") Transliteration from Shimasiwa I béramu isi pépéza i nadi ukombozi piya i daula ivénuha tasiba bu ya i dini voya trangaya hunu Komoriya Narikéni na mahaba ya huveindza ya masiwa yatruwasiwa Komoro damu ndzima wasiwa Komoro dini ndzima Ya masiwa radzali wa ya masiwa yarileya Mola né ari sayidiya Narikéni ha niya riveindzé uwataniya Mahaba ya dine na duniya.

I béraba ya huveindzar ya masiwa. mu isi pépéza rang mwési sita wa Zuiye i daula ivénuha zisiwa zatru zi pangwi ha Maoré na Nzuani, Mwalina Ngaziya Narikéni na mahaba.

French lyrics Au faîte le Drapeau flotte Apelle a là Liberté totale.

La nation apparaît, Force d'une meme religion au sein des Comores.

Vivons dans l'amour rèciproque dans nos îles.

Les Comoriens issue de même sang, Nous embrassons la même idéologie réligieuse.

Les îles où nous somme nés!!

Les îles qui nous ont prodigués la bonne éducation.

Dieu ya apporté son aide.

Conservons notre unité pour l'amour de la patrie, Amour pour la réligion Et pour l'évolution.

Au faîte le Drapeau flotte Depuis le 6 du mois de Juillet La nation apparaît, Les îles devenues souveraines; Maore - N'Dzouani - Mouwali - et N'Gazidja.

Gardons notre amour pour les îles.

Anthem Lyrics English

The flag is flying, Announcing complete independence; The nation rises up Because of the faith we have In this our Comoria.

Let us always have devotion To love our Great Islands.

We Comorians are of one blood, We Comorians are of one faith.

On these Islands we were born, These Islands brought us up.

May God always help us; Let us always have the firm resolve To love our fatherland, Love our religion and the world.

The flag is flying.

From the Sixth of July The Nation rises up; Our Islands are lined up.

Maori and Anzuan, Moheli and Comore, Let us always have devotion To love our Great Islands.