The Department of Immigration Services has asked Kenyans holding the old generation passports to acquire the digital ones by August, 2019.
Kenya launched the issuance of ePassports in August last year in compliance with guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), making them admissible globally.
“We introduced an epassport, all passport holders should change theirs to the new one by next year August,” the Immigration Department said on Thursday.
To get the digital travel document, an applicant must personally present themselves to Kenyan immigration offices for the capture of biometrics such as fingerprints, photo, and signature.
Holders of current passports will be required to replace them with the ePassports at a cost of Sh4,550 for a 32-page, Sh6,050 for 48-page document and Sh7,550 for diplomatic and 64-page passports.
The processing period for the digital passport is 10 working days. The ePassport enhances quick clearance at points of entry and exit. It is also highly secure and is hard to reproduce or tamper with.
“The e-passport provides the immigration officers with a new tool to help determine the presenter’s identity,” the Immigration department said during the launch last year. “E-passports now include digital and physical security technologies.”
Kenyans living and working abroad can renew or get a new ePassport through any Kenya Embassy. One is required to carry an original ID and a copy, original Birth certificate and a copy, recommender ID copy, online filled forms, 3 Invoices, 3 passport size photos and parents ID copies while applying for the travel document.
“Holders of valid current passports will be allowed to use them up to 31st August 2019 after which they will be rendered invalid,” the department said in a public notice.
Deadline 2019..what is the…
Deadline 2019..what is the urgency my issued passport is valid untul 2024 I guess I have no intention to use it until then neighter have I read this mwakilishi GOVT should communicate to me officially otherwise am not in mood to renew unless they waive iyo fees..I will safe 50d for tourist visa though
Srikali ya wezi.
Everything…
Srikali ya wezi.
Everything that about pesa is urgent…
Arecthey going to refund or give discount for those issued recently b4 issuing ugly new passport…
Look the stupid nema policy ..ehh every house that use 100ltrs of water must install solar water heater…doggi mentality..
Where can i go to acquire a…
Where can i go to acquire a Kenyan pasport in US if even my phone calls are not answered by the OWNERS of so-called Kenyan embassy in Washington DC?Simply how do i travel there if i don’t know wheather it is open or closed?
I have tried applying online…
I have tried applying online and it is not working.I tried to call customer care and they put you on hold until your airtime runs out.If you send email to enquiries nobody bothers to get back to you or answer.I checked other sites and going by correspondences the website problem started last year 2017 and they keep on lying that system is working.I got fed up and told the immigration guys point blank either someone is sleeping on the job or the system installed is obsolete.
Good idea to change to a…
Good idea to change to a better document but is the office og immigration ready for the change? I visited recently and honestly the queue is a nightmare, in fact it’s just that Kenyans are resilient otherwise the whole queuing and waiting to be served process is inhuman! Immigration office should critically review their standards of services and honestly be ready to serve, plz stop warning Kenyans to apply before the deadline yet your services are wanting. Come August 2019 immigration office won’t cope with applications because they already aren’t coping at the moment.
Why would they impose copy…
Why would they impose copy of one parents id’s as a requirement for an adult to get this new passport? That sounds so punitive and impractical. Just deal with the individual who needs a passport?
My sentiments. That should…
My sentiments. That should be for minors only.
I applied for new passport…
I applied for new passport month ago but I do not get any reply or passport from the department
This is about money. The…
This is about money. The broke Kenya government want advance from its citizens. am not going to renew my passport unless while still valid it is not being renewed for free and it is waste of my time . Kenya government does not provide me with bread and butter i toil for it
I have nothing against the…
I have nothing against the change of passports to digital but have objection to the continued gouging of Kenya citizens by their government, through policies created by egocentric leaders. Here are some questions to ponder
1. A few years ago, kenya required that rather than renewing passports every 5 years, all passports would be valid for 10 years. Most citizens got the new passports and of course paid for them.
2. The passports so acquired are valid for 10 years and are the ones this new directive is targeting. Other than lining their pockets what reason is there to force and charge citizens to renew unexpired valid documents?
3. Recently another directive required Diaspora citizens to pay a fee three times higher than other citizens. What legitimate reason is there for the fee differential, considering that the fee does not include mailing and delivery? Or are there different classes of citizens which the constitution left for the definition by our misguided bureaucrats?
4. That said, maybe diaspora citizens with dual citizenship would be better paying for the visa instead when traveling
Mine took exactly 12 days to…
Mine took exactly 12 days to come out.Thou this nonsense of rushing mpaka August 2019 is pure Bullcrap.They needed to say once the old one expires then u can renew with new one.The new one looks very beautiful thou comparing with any other pp in the world
Hey Mkenya Halisi. Kwani you…
Hey Mkenya Halisi. Kwani you went to Russia to watch the world cup and forgot to check & post on here? Ama mitambo huko haifanyi? Tunamiss zile reminders za ku-invest kwa kaploti au kabiashara, hivi hivi. Anyway usinyamaze sana.
This should only apply to…
This should only apply to the new applicants and renewals. For the valid passports let them enjoy the validity period.
When these guys known your…
When these guys known your passport has visa sticker or stamp, they delay you unless you pat with 2000 ndio wakupee.