The Kenyan government’s adoption of technology has greatly improved various institutions and integral service providers. The passport application and processing upgrade may be the most dominant, effective, and well-received. Although not entirely paperless, it is a digital revolution in the making. With Kenyan passport tracking, applicants can know whether their passports are ready for pick-up without physically visiting the immigration office. In this article, TUKO.co.ke spoke to an immigration consultant to gain expert insights into the processing and tracking of Kenyan passports.
Tracking the progress of your Kenyan passport application is like following a digital trail that ensures your travel plans stay on course. Through the innovative passport tracking service, applicants can navigate the journey from submission to issuance with ease and confidence. This service provides real-time updates and offers peace of mind, ensuring that your passport is ready when you need it. Kenyan passport tracking application status The updated tracking methods have made it easy for Kenyan and diaspora residents to view the progress of their applications. You can check your Kenyan passport application status using these three options: Posta passport tracking Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration recently partnered with Posta to facilitate passport delivery nationwide. This made it possible to track one’s document via the Posta website. Here is how to track a passport using a tracking number. Navigate to the booking and collection portal. Enter your 10-digit tracking number. Click on “track my passport.” The Posta passport tracking portal will present a page showing your application’s progress. SMS tracking Applicants with pending passport applications or uncollected passports can check their application status by sending an SMS with their eCitizen application reference code to 22222. The Directorate is currently upgrading its facilities to enhance the user experience and accommodate the increasing number of clients eCitizen passport tracking Tracking your passport allows you to know the status of your passport application. Photo: accounts.ecitizen.go.ke (modified by author) Source: UGC Today, all passport applications are done online after creating an account on the eCitizen portal. After a successful application, one can track the status of their document through the platform when logged in to their accounts. Here is a simple guide to follow for tracking Kenyan passports online.
Log in to the eCitizen portal and navigate to the Directorate of Immigration. On the dashboard, you will see the status of your application (if you have already applied). Common statuses include accepted, rejected, or ready for collection. Since this method has no additional cost, you can check your application’s progress as frequently as possible. What are the stages of passport processing in Kenya? Although the online application process is simple, many steps are involved in producing a Kenyan passport. The processing stages of a passport in Kenya provide applicants insight into the effort required to obtain or renew their passport. Here are the steps of processing a passport. Create and log in to your e-citizen account: You must fill out the passport application form online through your e-citizen account and submit it along with the required documents and passport renewal fee. Document verification: Access immigration department services through your e-Citizen account. Navigate to the ‘Department of Immigration Service’, select ‘Get Service’, and choose ‘passport application’ based on whether it’s for an adult or child account. Fill out the form and make payments. In the third stage, you must enter all your personal information and upload supporting documents to verify your details. Biometric capture: Visit the designated immigration office for biometric data capture, including fingerprints and photographs. Processing and approval: The application is processed, and background checks are conducted. If everything is in order, the application is approved. Passport printing: Once approved, your passport is printed. Dispatch: The printed passport is dispatched to the collection point or sent via courier, depending on the delivery option chosen. Collection or delivery: You can either collect your passport from the designated office or receive it through the postal service, where you can track the delivery status online. You can track the progress of your Kenyan passport through SMS. Photo: @smartcommtec (modified by author) Source: UGC How much is the passport application fees in Kenya?
According to the Directorate of Immigration Service website, to get a 34-page passport, one needed to pay Ksh. 4,550, while for the 50-page one, Ksh. 6,050. The 66-page passport cost Ksh. 7,550. However, there have been recent updates regarding the costs. However, according to a special gazette notice dated November 7, 2023, then Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki declared an increase in the fee for a standard 34-page passport application, raising it from the current Ksh.4,550 to Ksh.7,500. Furthermore, the cost of a 50-page ordinary passport for applicants has escalated to Ksh.9,500 from the existing Ksh.6,050. Additionally, the application fee for a 66-page ordinary passport is now Ksh.12,500. What is the current passport renewal fee in Kenya? Per the new gazette notice issued by the Interior Ministry on November 7, 2023, passport replacement would cost you Ksh. 20,000 from the usual Ksh. 12,000. Additionally, replacing a mutilated passport would cost you Ksh. 10,000.
How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport? The processing time for obtaining a Kenyan passport is set to change significantly due to recent improvements in the Directorate of Immigration. Here is a detailed timeline based on the information provided: Timeline Duration May 1, 2024 Take 21 days to process a passport August 1, 2024 Processing time will be reduced to 7 days From November 1, 2024 The processing time will be just 3 days. The Directorate of Immigration has been experiencing long-standing delays in passport issuance, which impact individuals seeking jobs, education, business, and healthcare. To address this, the Directorate received two new printers to increase passport production capacity. The two newly commissioned printers at Nyayo House can produce approximately 600 passports per hour. With these new printers, the Immigration Department’s capacity will increase, allowing it to handle a daily demand of 5,000 passport applications. The combined capacity of the new and existing printers will enable the production of 5,600 passports within eight hours and over 10,000 passports within 24 hours. The government plans to implement a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), which includes publishing the names of 50,000 applicants whose passports have been produced but not yet collected. Where can Kenyans in the diaspora apply for passports? Applicants in the diaspora can have their passports processed at various foreign missions, including London, Washington, D.C., Berlin, Pretoria, Dubai, and Paris. Why is your passport tracking number not found in the system? If your tracking number is not found, it probably means your passport hasn’t been sent yet. You are advised to wait a little bit longer. However, if it’s taking longer than expected, you might need to visit their office to check. What is the validity period for a Kenyan passport? Kenyan passports have a validity period of ten years. If, at any time, the document no longer contains space for visas, a new one must be obtained.
By Simon Ayub, Jackline Wangare, Adrianna Simwa, Clinton Nyabuto
