Stages of Passport Processing in Kenya After Application
Since the launch of the eCitizen platform in 2014, Kenyans have been able to access government services at both the national and county levels. Among the services available on the eCitizen platform are the application, renewal, and replacement of passports.
- Recommendation stage- This stage only occurs if they are having issues verifying your documentation, which is your identity.
- Approval Stage - After verifying your documentation, and they feel like you are indeed a Kenyan, your passport is approved, so that it can proceed to printing.
- Production Stage - Production means it has been put in the queue, where it will go to be printed.
- Printing Stage - This means that your passport is being printed
- Receiving/ Dispatch Stage - This means that your passport has already been printed and it’s waiting for collection. You will be notified via sms.
In recent years, there has been a significant delay in passport processing, resulting in long queues at the immigration department. Each day, desperate Kenyans seeking to obtain passports begin arriving at Nyayo House as early as 4:00 AM.
While some individuals successfully had their biometrics taken on their first attempt, others had to make multiple trips before achieving the same result. These prolonged waiting times have resulted in missed opportunities for travel abroad, as well as delays in medical treatment and other important matters that necessitate travel.
On November 1st, 2024, the government acquired two new printing machines, which will enable passport processing to take at least three days.
Online Application Via eCitizen
To start, log in to your eCitizen platform using your National ID or email. If you don't have an account, create one first. Once you are logged in, search for the word "passport," or simply click on "Apply for a passport" located below the search bar to begin your application process.
Make sure you have all the required forms in soft copy since you will need to upload them to the platform. These documents include your National Identity card, a passport-sized photo, and your parents' National Identity cards, both front and back, and you will also be required to upload your signature.
After filling out the form and ensuring there are no mistakes, you can proceed with the payment. You may choose any payment method you prefer, including M-Pesa, credit cards, or debit cards.
Booking an Appointment
After making your payment, you can proceed to book an appointment. However, it is essential to ensure that you select the nearest immigration office. A common mistake people make is booking an appointment at a location that is far away, which can lead to unnecessary delays.
After booking the appointment, you can now go ahead and print the receipts and the application form that you just filled out. You will need them when going for biometrics.
Biometric Capture and Document Verification
You are now done with the application, and the day you have been waiting to get your biometrics is here. You might be wondering what to carry. Here is a list of documents that you need.
First, you have to have the original copies of your National Identity card, original copy of your birth certificate, your parents' photocopies of their National IDs, a photo of your passport-sized photo; they will only need one, but carry four of them, the receipt that you downloaded, and the application form.
If you have only one living parent, you should use that parent's National ID. If one parent has passed away, you must provide a copy of their death certificate. The same applies if both parents are deceased.
Upon arriving at the immigration office, you may encounter a line that moves quickly, particularly during the morning hours. Ensure you have all the necessary documents, as failing to do so will result in you not receiving assistance and needing to schedule another appointment.
The process is smooth, and within 30 minutes, your biometrics, including fingerprints and a photo, will be captured after you submit the required forms.
Application Processing
Once you successfully apply for a passport via the eCitizen platform and you're waiting for it to be ready, you might find yourself wondering about the status of your application.
If you check your eCitizen account and see that your passport is moving through different stages, you may not be sure what that means. In this blog post, we will break down the six stages of the passport application process to help clarify things for you.
Various stages happen after submitting your application; these stages are meant to fast-track your passport, and you can do this by logging into your eCitizen account, searching for passport, or clicking Apply for a Passport.
Alternatively, you can send an sms to 22222. At the top, you will see a tab named History. Click on it, and you will see your past submissions. You can see your application number and the stage it is at. The stages include;
Quality Check
The new Kenyan passport has security features that prove its authenticity, including watermarks and holograms, which are very difficult to replicate.
The other feature includes microtext and UV-sensitive elements, meaning some texts and symbols are only visible under UV light, while microtext consists of tiny lettering that can only be seen with magnification.
Page numbers and stitching are security which genuine passports feature uniformly stitched page numbers that follow a set sequence. Any inconsistencies in these details can be a clear sign of forgery.
Notification and Passport Collection
After your passport is ready, you will receive an sms from the immigration department with no specific date from the office where you submitted your application.
You will be required to carry your tracking number invoice, original Kenya ID, a copy of your birth certificate in case of a minor, and an old passport in case of renewal.
Common Delays and Challenges.
Various reasons can cause delays and challenges when applying for the Kenyan passport, such as an incomplete application, which is missing necessary documents.
You have to ensure all documents and documents are included.
Missing or invalid photos, where the application is being held for not meeting official standards, ensure you use a good camera to make sure the photos comply with the requirements.
Payment confirmation can take longer than expected. Ensure you pay via eCitizen or authorised banks to speed up the process.
Overcrowded immigration offices, where high traffic can cause long waiting times, ensure you visit during off-peak hours.
Technical glitches on eCitizen, where system downtime errors may interrupt your application process. Refresh the page, switch to a different browser, or contact immigration support for help.
Conclusion
The passport application process can be quite confusing, particularly for first-time applicants. Understanding the various stages involved is essential for tracking the status of your passport.
These stages include the loading stage, vetting stage, recommendation stage, approval stage, production stage, printing stage, and receiving stage. Each stage plays a crucial role in the overall process.
It’s advisable to make sure you have all the documents before starting the application process to avoid delays in processing your passport.
