The Immigration Department has availed details about the new passport including the procedure of getting one and the new features of the ePassport. Going forward, Kenyans will have to apply for the new ePassport on the eCitizen platform. Thereafter, they will be required to visit an immigration office of their choice either in Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu for the collection of fingerprints, digital photo, and signature, as well as to drop off the required documents.
Those in the diaspora can apply for it through Kenyan embassies and consulates near them.
For current passport holders, this is a reminder that you will have to apply for new ones. The old ones will cease to be valid travel documents from 31st August 2019. Valid Visas, however, will remain valid even after the acquisition of the new one.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know from requirements to cost and features and everything in between.
On requirements
It is mandatory that applicants appear in person for the digital photo capture and biometrics at their immigration office of choice i.e. in Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu. If you are a first-time applicant this is what you need –
- An eCitizen pre-filled passport application form and three receipts.
- Original birth certificate and photocopy.
- Original National ID Card & copy.
- Three Current passport size photos.
- Recommender’s ID Card copy certified
- Consent letter for minors.
- Parents National ID cards and copy.
The requirements remain the same for those applying for a replacement passport.
- An eCitizen pre-filled application form and three invoices
- Three current passport size photos
- Your original national ID copy and photocopy
- Recommenders ID Card copy – certified by a lawyer
- Old passport for replacement plus copies of the last three pages
- For lost passports, a sworn affidavit and a police abstract are required
- For lost and mutilated passports, an explanation letter is required to explain the circumstances of the loss or mutilation
New Features
- It has an electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport.
- It has biometric identifiers
- It has a digital photograph of the passport holder
- It has embedded in it security features to prevent unauthorized use and forgery
- It’s worth noting that the details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
On Cost
There’s good news on this front. The ePassport will cost the same as the current one whose price is based on the number of pages in the booklet.
A series (32 pages) – Ksh. 4,550.
B series (48 pages) – Ksh. 6,050
C series (64 pages) – Ksh. 7,550
Diplomatic – Ksh. 7,550
Mutilated Passport – Ksh. 10,500
Lost Passport – Ksh. 12,050
Passport photographs
1. You must have 3 photos.
2. The photographs must be taken full face without a hat.
3. The photographs must not be mounted.
4. The size of the photographs must not be more than 2½ inches by 2 inches or less than 2 inches by 1½ inches.
5. The photographs must be printed on normal thin photographic paper and must not be glazed on the reverse side.
6. The person recommending the applicant is required to endorse the reverse side of one copy of the photographs with the words: I certify that this is a true likeness of the applicant (Mr. or Mrs. or Miss) and add their signature.
Application for the Kenyan ePassport
Kenyans will have to start the application process for their ePassport on the eCitizen platform. Then they will be required to visit an immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu for the collection of fingerprints, digital photo and signature and also to drop off the required documents.
Those in the diaspora can apply for the new passport through Kenyan embassies and consulates near them.
After you have fulfilled all the requirements, the ePassport will be available for collection after 15 working days.
*It seems it is taking very long to get the new Kenyan ePassport so you may have to wait a couple of months to get the passport – Getting the new Kenyan passport is a nightmare
Travel: Kenya’s New ePassport – Here Is What You Should Know
