The Kenyan Passport is one of the most important travel documents. It is a globally recognized and accepted identification document each person planning to travel internationally should have. What if you don’t have one? What are the passport processing stages in Kenya? How long does it take?
Despite the straightforward online application, a lot goes into generating a Kenyan passport. The stages of processing a passport in Kenya help applicants understand the work that goes around obtaining or renewing a passport. Therefore, understanding them will help you to know when your travel document is ready.
Documents required to apply for a Kenyan passport
Before looking at the different stages of passport application, you must ensure you have all the documents stipulated by the Kenya government through the immigration department. For a new passport, you will need the following:
- A prefilled copy of the passport application form that’s downloadable from eCitizen
- Original birth certificate and its photocopy
- Original National ID card and its photocopy
- Three passport-sized photos
- A copy of your recommender's National ID
- Photocopies of both parents’ IDs. If deceased, present photocopies of their death certificates
- If you are making a passport application for a minor, produce a consent letter from the minor’s parents or guardians
To replace a lost or damaged Passport, you will need the following:
- An affidavit for identity confirmation.
- An abstract from the police
- An explanation letter stating what happened to your Passport
If you want to renew an expired passport, you need the old Passport and photocopies of the first three pages
Passport processing stages in Kenya
In May 2015, the Kenyan Government launched an online passport application through the e-Citizen portal, significantly simplifying the application process. Here is a detailed look at the passport processing stages in Kenya and how long it takes.
1. Create and log in to your e-citizen account
Logging in to e-Citizen is the first step in applying for a passport because the website offers access to many government services in the country. First, you need to register on the website using the following:
- National ID number
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Email address
- Personal information
Once the registration process is complete, you will receive a link to verify the account to log in with your ID number and password.
2. Get immigration department services
After you log into your e-Citizen account, a dashboard with several government services will be displayed. Find the ‘Department of Immigration Service’ and click ‘Get Service’.
At this point, you will see all the services offered by the immigration department. Navigate to 'passport application’ and click under ‘Get Service’. You will receive a prompt to choose the type of account you are creating (for an adult or a child).
There are five types of passports:
- Ordinary Passport (32 Pages Ordinary "A" Series) - Ksh. 4,550
- Ordinary passport 48 pages Ordinary “B” Series) - Ksh. 6,050
- Ordinary passport 64 Pages Ordinary “C” Series) - Ksh. 7,550
- Diplomatic Passport (48 pages) - Ksh. 7550
- Mutilated Passport - Ksh. 10,050
- Lost Passport (For those renewing their lost Passport) - Ksh. 12,050
- Certificate of Identity for foreigner - Ksh 3,050
- Temporary permit - Ksh 350
After selecting your preferred passport type, the next page will ask if you are a new applicant or renewing an old passport. For a first-timer, select ‘new application’ and ‘renew’ if you want your Passport renewed.
At the bottom, you will see the application guidelines and the cost of your chosen passport type. Once you are done, click 'submit’ to go on.
3. Fill out the form and make payments
In the third stage, you must key in all your details and upload some documents to affirm your claims. These details and backing documents are:
- Full Name
- ID number
- Phone number
- Both Parent's ID (death cert if parents are deceased)
- If you have a passport, an old passport number
- Date of birth.
- Eye color
- Height
- Original birth certificate
- Original National ID Card
- Current passport-size photos
- Recommender’s ID Card copy
- Consent letter for minors
- Old Passport for replacement (if available).
- Parents’ National ID card (for minors)
Once you submit all the documents, you will be requested to make a payment on the next page. Some of the methods of payment available are:
- Credit/Debit card
- Airtel Money
- M-Pesa
- eCitizen Agent
After completing the payment, you can proceed to the next stage.
4. Biometric booking an appointment
You will be prompted to book an appointment for biometrics. This is one of the most crucial Passport production stages because if you fail to capture your biometrics, your Passport will not be processed.
You should choose the location which is closest to where you are. Upon selecting the location, the system automatically schedules time for biometrics. After choosing your appointment, print out the application schedule and three copies of your payment invoice.
The valid application centres are:
- Nairobi – Nyayo House Ground Floor
- Mombasa – Uhuru na Kazi Mombasa
- Kisumu – New PC’s office Kisumu
- Embu – Embu PC’s office
- Nakuru- Regional Commissioner’s Big Nakuru
- Kisii – County Commissioners Building
- Eldoret – Public Works Building
Kenyan passport applicants in the Diaspora can have the biometrics and picture taken at the following:
- London (United Kingdom)
- Washington DC (United States of America)
- Berlin (Germany)
- Pretoria (South Africa)
- Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
- Paris (France)
5. Visit immigration office
During the appointment day, carry your payment invoice and your schedule print-out. Only your fingerprints and a photo of you will be captured at the office. This takes less than 10 minutes.
Also, make sure you have all the documents arranged in the following order for the first-time applicants:
- Receipts - Government and customer copies (downloadable from E-Citizen account)
- Application form (downloadable from E-Citizen account)
- Three passport-size photographs
- One passport-size picture of the parent filling out the application
- Parent’s documents copies
- Valid national ID
- Original and photocopy of birth certificate
6. Wait for processing and passport collection
These are the last stages of passport processing after biometrics. After you have finished your biometrics, you will have to wait for your Passport to be ready. Once it’s ready for pickup, you will be notified through email and SMS.
How long does it take to get a passport in Kenya?
The stated timeline for a passport application on E-Citizen's immigration portal is 5 to 10 days. However, in reality, it takes between one and three weeks.
The time depends on various factors, including the workload at the immigration department. However, you can track the status of your Passport through the E-Citizen website.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is a recommender in passport application? A recommender can be a friend, close family, lawyer, or any other trusted individual who can vouch for you.
- Can you renew your Kenyan Passport while abroad? You replace or renew a Kenyan passport abroad by visiting the Kenyan Embassy.
- Is the Kenyan passport application done online? The application can be done online through the e-citizen website. However, you must visit the immigration offices to submit your biometrics.
- What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a passport in Kenya? Anyone can own a Kenya passport, but only adults over 18 can make applications. Legal guardians or parents should apply for the minors under their care.
- Can you check the status of your Kenyan Passport through SMS? You can check the status of your Passport through SMS by sending your tracking number to 2032.
- How much does it cost to apply for a Kenyan passport? The passport application charges differ from one type to another. The cheapest (32-page ordinary A series) is Ksh. 4,550, while the most expensive (lost Passport) goes for Ksh. 12,050.
- What is the meaning of ‘in process’ status during Kenyan passport application? It means that the passport agency is processing your Kenyan passport application.
Final word
Passport processing stages in Kenya are relatively simple and self-explanatory. However, gathering all the necessary documents is the most important thing to avoid the rejection of your application. Once everything is done, you will have your Passport in roughly three weeks.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about different types of passports in Kenya. A passport is an official document issued by a government. It certifies the holder's identity and citizenship, thus entitling them to travel to and from foreign countries under its protection.
Kenyans planning to travel abroad for business, leisure, study, or vacation must apply for a Kenyan passport. Since there are various types of Kenyan passports, you should know the category you belong to before you apply for one.
