If you’ve applied for a passport, you’re likely eager to receive it and start planning your travels. However, it’s important to know when your passport is ready for collection so you can avoid unnecessary trips to the passport office.
If you’ve applied for a passport in Kenya, you might be wondering when your passport is ready for collection. Waiting for your passport to arrive can be an anxious time, especially if you have travel plans coming up. However, there are several ways to check if your passport is ready for collection.
You should know that the process of applying for a Kenya passport to receive it needs a little patience as it could take between three to six months for the whole passport processing stage to complete.
So, because the old Kenyan passports will be completely ruled out by the deadline of December 30th, 2022, holders of the old passports will be unable to travel anywhere unless they change from the old Kenyan passport to the new e-passport.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to check the status of your Kenyan passport including how to know if your passport is ready for collection in Kenya.
Read Also: How to know if your Certificate of Good Conduct is Ready For Collection
Kenya Passport Application Process
Before trying to track or know if your passport is ready for collection, you must know the different stages in the application process and must know your current stage in the process.
Whether you are newly applying or you are renewing your passport, here are the different stages in the application process;
- Applying for the Kenya Passport through the eCitizen Portal
- Making payment for the passport and other charges included in the process
- Booking or Reschedule for passport appointment for biometrics capture
- Tracking passport status using the tracking number given
- Booking for passport collection.
So, that is all the available stages in the passport collection process. If you haven’t applied and have not been given a tracking number, then your passport will not be processed. Make sure you have made the necessary payment and also have your biometrics captured, before requesting your passport.
How to Track and Know if Your Kenya Passport is Ready For Collection
If you have successfully uploaded your details and done your biometrics capture, you will be given a tracking number. The tracking number is usually on the photo token receipt given to you after capturing your biometrics. There are various processes to track your Kenya passport. The various process is listed below;
Via SMS Tracking
You can track or know the status of your Passport via SMS. This method is more convenient, especially for those who don’t own a phone that has access to an internet connection. To track your Kenya passport,
- Launch the messaging app on your smartphone and then create a new message.
- Enter 2032 in the space for the recipient (that is the receiver), and then type your tracking number as the message you want to send.
- After entering your tracking number, click the send button.
- You should receive a message showing that your passport is still in processing or is ready for collection.
- You can also send HELP to 2032 to request assistance from the immigration department if you find out that your document is taking a long time to process.
- You should note that the service costs Ksh. 5. So you are charged Ksh. 5 every time you send a message to the code.
Check the status Online
The second easiest way to check the status of your passport is to visit the eCitizen website. This is a good choice if you want to avoid being charged Ksh. 5 while using the SMS tracking method. To track your Kenyan passport online, here are the steps to follow;
- Log in to the eCitizen portal here.
- Go to the Directorate of Immigration.
- Click on the Passports tab to check the status of your passport application.
- If your passport is ready for collection, you will see a message indicating that your passport is ready for collection. The status of your passport will appear as accepted, rejected, in progress, or ready for collection.
Via Third-Party Platform
You can also use a third-party platform Posta to check the status of your Kenyan passport. Recently, Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration teamed up with Posta to streamline passport distribution around the nation. As a result, one may monitor their document on the Posta website. Here’s how to use a tracking number to find a passport.
- Go to the collection portal here
- Enter your tracking number in the space available
- Click on Track my Passport.
- The portal will immediately show you the status of your passport.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport?
The Kenya passport registration process to collect the passport usually takes between 3-6 months. If your passport is taking too long to process, you should contact the immigration department office or contact them via the contact line.
Where can Kenyans in the diaspora apply for passports?
Passport applications from diaspora residents can be processed at a number of foreign embassies. London, Washington, D.C., Berlin, Pretoria, Dubai, and Paris are a few of these.
What is the validity period for a Kenyan passport?
The validity period for a Kenyan passport is 10 years, after which you will have to renew your passport. Meanwhile, the old Kenyan passports were completely ruled out by the deadline of December 30, 2022. So, if you still have the old passport, you will have to renew it.
How much will I pay for a Kenyan passport?
The cost of a Kenyan passport varies depending on the type of passport and whether you are applying for a new passport or a renewal. As of 2023, the fees were as follows:
Ordinary (32 pages) – Kshs 4,550 for new applications, Kshs 4,550 for renewals
Ordinary (48 pages) – Kshs 6,050 for new applications, Kshs 6,050 for renewals
East African Passport – Kshs 990 for new applications, Kshs 990 for renewals
Diplomatic Passport – Kshs 7,550 for new applications, Kshs 7,550 for renewals
Official Passport – Kshs 3,050 for new applications, Kshs 3,050 for renewals
Note that these fees are subject to change, and you should check with the Kenyan immigration department or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
How Strong is the Kenya Passport
The Kenyan passport was ranked 72nd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa arrangements.
Kenyan passport holders could access 72 destinations visa-free or with a visa on arrival. The strength of a passport can vary depending on various factors, such as political and economic stability, diplomatic relationships with other countries, and security issues. It is important to note that these rankings can change over time, and it is always advisable to check visa requirements before traveling to any destination.
Are Kenyan Passports Biometric?
Yes, Kenyan passports are biometric. The current Kenyan passport, which was introduced in 2017, contains a microchip that stores the holder’s biometric data, such as their fingerprints and facial features. The biometric data is used to verify the identity of the passport holder at border control points and to prevent identity theft and fraud.
The introduction of biometric passports was part of the Kenyan government’s efforts to improve the security of its travel documents and to comply with international standards. Biometric passports are considered more secure than traditional passports because they are more difficult to forge or tamper with, making them less susceptible to identity fraud and other security threats.
