How To Apply For e-Passport In Kenya Via eCitizen (Step By Step Guide)

Do you find it difficult in applying for an e-Passport in Kenya? If yes, then this informative article is for you. If you visited the immigration offices to apply for the passport a few years back, you understand that the process was quite hectic and it seemed to take ages.

You had to make long queues and frequent visits to the immigration offices to make this dream a reality. Nowadays, the application or replacement of this important document is done online from the comfort of your home.

Kenya’s Immigration Department started rolling out e-Passports in 2017 to replace the current generation of manual travel documents, which are set to be phased out on 1st March 2021. The annunciation of the e-Passport was done back in 2016. However, the launching month was moved from December 2016 to April 2017, and finally to September 2017.

The New e-Passport Kenya

Here are the features that distinguish the e-Passport from the old passport:

• Small Electric Chip: The chip is vital because it stores and holds your personal details safe.
• Digital Photograph Of The e-Passport Holder: You need to take a digital photograph. It is important to note that minimal errors can surely lead to the rejection of the application. You have to take 3 full-face photos; don’t wear a hat while taking it. Don’t mount the photo and make sure that it is less than ‘2 inches by 1½’ or more than ‘2½ by 2 inches’. Also don’t gaze at the e-Passport photo. Ensure that the printing is done on thin as well as normal photographic paper.
• Biometric Identifier: These are the characters that contain your identity.
• Security Features: The purpose of the security features is to ensure that there are no instances of unauthorized forgery.

What Are The e-Passport Requirements?

Below are the documents you are supposed to carry when submitting the application form to the immigration offices.

• An original National Identity Card and a photocopy as well.
• Your parent’s National Identity Cards and their photocopies. If they are deceased, you can carry their death certificates. In the case of adoption, you will have to submit your adoption certificate, which is a clearance letter from the department of children and it must be a court ruling.
• Your birth certificate (original and photocopy).
• 3 digital passport size photographs.
• Your recommender’s National Identity Cards and the photocopies.
• If you are below the age of 18, you need written consent from either your parent or guardian.
• Finally, carry the pre-filled e-Passport application form as well as 3 invoices/receipts. If you are replacing, you will have to carry the old passport.

How To Apply For e-Passport Kenya

If you are planning to travel outside the country, you need to commence an e-Passport application a month before your travel, so that you can avoid missing your flight. Here is a step by step guide on how to apply for the e-Passport.

Step 1: Visit the eCitizen portal

• Make sure you have an internet connection and use any browser to login to the eCitizen portal.

Step 2: Login or Register

• If you have an account with the immigration service department you don’t have to register, but if you don’t have one, it means your first step is to register.

Step 3: Click On Immigration e-Passport Application Form Kenya

• Once you access the form, fill it with lots of keenness, and provide all the details required. You don’t have to answer all the questions at once, but ensure that all the sections are completed before submission.

Step 4: Payment

• When applying for a passport, you need to pay the prerequisite processing fees. Choose the option that suits you best. The available options are M-Pesa, mobile money, Airtel Money, debit cards, credit, online banking, eCitizen agents, as well as local banks.

So, how much do you pay? Here is the cost structure to guide you.

• Diplomatic passport with 48 pages – Kshs. 7,550.
• Lost passport – Kshs. 12,050
• 32 pages ordinary ‘A’ Series passport – Kshs. 4,550.
• 48 pages Ordinary ‘B’ Series passport – Kshs. 6,050
• East Africa passport – Kshs. 990.
• 64 pages ‘C’ Series passport – Kshs. 7,550.

Step 5: Print & Download Your Application Form

• Before you print and download the form, read through to make certain that all the sections are filled with the correct details. When you are done, print 3 copies of the receipt as well as the form and keep them safe as you will require them.

Step 6: Submit The Application Form

• Where do you submit your e-Passport application form? Well, you can submit the form at an immigration office or the nearest Huduma Centre. If you are out of the country, then you will have to do your submissions in the Kenyan Embassies as well as consulates that are all over the world. Keep in mind that you should do the submission personally so that you can take the digital passport photo and allow the biometrics to be captured.
• You should expect to get your passport ready after about 15 working days of a successful application.

The e-Passport Kenya Deadline

The old passport is still valid until 1st March 2021 when the acquisition of the new passport will be done. These will be rendered unusable and cease to be recognized as travel documents. This means that you will have to apply for the new passport before the expiry of the deadline. Initially, the deadline had been set to be 1st March 2020.

However, long queues were experienced as the deadline approached. The government noted with concern that 1.8 million Kenyans, mostly in the diaspora, are yet to replace their old passports with the East African Community biometric e-passport. The CS said the government was progressively phasing out the old ordinary passports as part of the country’s commitment to migrate to the new-generation e-passport in accordance with ICAO specifications.

The eCitizen Kenya Passport Tracking

The e-Passport tracking can only be done via the eCitizen website. Once you are done with your application and submission and have been issued with the due date for the collection, you can track its status using the eCitizen passport tracking system online. All that you need to do is to log in to the portal and tap on immigration services.

Application Steps For The Temporary Passport

If you are traveling within the East African countries, you can apply for a temporary passport as long as your travel is on a short duration. The process is fast and done online as well. You will only pay Ksh.350 for the travel permit instead of Ksh.990 for the Kenyan East African e-Passport. Here is the application procedure for a temporary Kenyan passport.

Step 1: Visit The eCitizen Portal

• Connect your PC or phone to the internet and visit the eCitizen website.

Step 2: Login

• If you have an account with the immigration service department you don’t have to register, but if you don’t have one, it means your first step is to register.

Step 3: Navigate To The Immigration Services Offered By The Department Of Immigration

• Click on the “temporary permits” and choose the application form of either an adult or an underage form. Go through the guidelines for application carefully. Choose your preferred mode of payment, and click “apply now.” There will be a temporary passport application form at the bottom of that page.

Step 4: Fill In The Application Form

• Fill in the details required keenly to avoid making errors. What are some of the questions to expect? Well, you must fill in your ID number, your full names as they appear on your ID, your date of birth, your gender, your height, your occupation, and your nationality.

Step 5: Download & Print The Passport Application Form

• Re-read the pre-filled form and ensure you did not make any errors. Download & print it and then stick a digital passport size photo where required. Have in mind that you will have to present the temporary permit during your travel day to the immigration officer. Have your Identity National Card with you. If you are under age, carry your original birth certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions on e-Passport Kenya:

How Do I Pay For e-Passport Kenya?

• Applicants are required to apply for the e-Passport online and pay the fee through the eCitizen Portal. You should select the mode of payment from the list either mobile money, credit, debit cards, and online banking from local banks.

How Much Is e-Passport In Kenya?

• The cost varied depending on the type of e-Passport. For example, the cost of a lost passport is Kshs. 12,050. The 32-page ‘A’ Series passport costs Kshs. 4, 550 while the 48-page ‘B’ Series passport costs Kshs. 6, 050. Check the eCitizen website to know the cost of the type of passport you are applying for.

How Do I Know If My Passport Is Ready For Collections In Kenya?

• You can track your e-Passport application online on the eCitizen portal to know if it is ready for collection. On the Immigration Services tab, you should click on Get Service Now. The status of your application will either read Accepted, Rejected, or Ready for Collection. Alternatively, send an SMS with your Kenyan Passport number to the number 2032. An SMS will be sent to your phone showing if it is ready for collection.

How Can I Apply For e-Passport In Kenya?

• The e-Passport is applied online on the eCitizen portal. You should log in to the portal or create an account if you do not have one. Go to the Department of Immigration Services tab and choose the type of e-Passport you need to apply for. Fill the online form and pay. Next, download and print the form and the receipt and take it to a nearby immigration office or Huduma office to be processed.

What’s your take on this? We believe this article was helpful, if yes, don’t hesitate to share this information with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and other Social Platforms.

SOURCE: TUKO.CO.KE