A Kenyan passport is essential for many purposes, both locally and abroad. One is that it serves as a formal identification document in Kenya and, most notably, is an essential travel document that you will need to travel outside Kenya.
With technology advancements and everything else going on now, it is much easier than ever to actually apply for a passport without ever stepping into the famous Nyayo house or any immigration offices in the country. All this is possible with the eCitizen Portal. However, one issue that many applicants face when applying for passports in Kenya is not actually knowing when their passports will be ready.
However, one common challenge many applicants face is not knowing exactly how long it will take for their passports to be ready after applying. Some have reported waiting for as long as three to six months, sparking questions about the actual processing time. In this guide, we explain the passport processing timeline in Kenya and why delays sometimes occur.
Passport Application Process in Kenya
Passport applications are now done online via the eCitizen Portal rather than physically at immigration offices. Understanding the steps you go through will help clarify how long it normally takes to receive your passport once you apply.
Here are the general steps:
- Visit the e-citizen portal login or create a new account if you don’t have one.
- Use the menu or search bar to find “Immigration Services” and then go to the Department of Immigration dashboard.
- Click “Get Service” and select “Passport Application” to begin your application.
- Proceed to choose the type of passport you are applying for and pay the fees. Kenya has up to 5 passport types, and the fees vary depending on the type, which is mainly influenced by the number of pages.
- Fill out the form with all required information, including your full name, National ID, phone number, and any other details requested.
- After submitting your application online, you will need to visit an immigration office for biometric data capture (fingerprints, photograph).
- Once your biometric data is captured, you wait for your passport to be processed and then collect it from the immigration office or designated pick-up points.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Passport?
The Immigration Department of Kenya generally states that it takes at least 10 working days (around two weeks) to process a new passport after submitting your biometric data at the immigration office. However, this timeline can vary depending on several factors:
- If your application form was incomplete or incorrect, additional verification may delay processing.
- Delays may occur if more information or documents are requested.
- External factors such as system glitches or material shortages can impact timelines.
Therefore, while two weeks is the official processing time, some applicants might experience longer waits.
Why do Kenyan passports take so long?
It’s not every day that we all get to have luck on our end, and for many Kenyans applying for passports, this will tell you this. If your application is taking longer than usual, you should be concerned, but at the same time, you should know that many factors might lead to this.
1. System Glitch
Most of the time, delays in passport processing in Kenya are caused by system glitches, which result from breakdowns of government printers. This breakdown usually results in a significant backlog, which interrupts passport processing.
2. Shortage of Passport Booklets
A shortage of Passport Booklets means there will not be enough booklets to print passports. For example, on 15 February 2024, the government of Kenya, through its spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, came forward and announced that the delay in passport printing was because of a shortage in the supply of the 34-page passport booklets, which generally go for Ksh. 4,550.
3. Corruption
Corruption is a selfishness that still manifests within the Kenyan government structure, and because of this, the citizens suffer the most. In some cases, especially when there is a passport delay once with printing, some people who might have the upper hand with officers at the immigration offices actually pay them for their passports to be printed at the cost of others who came early.
4. High passport processing times
The introduction of new-generation e-passports has led to high processing times. They come with many security features that take a long time to process compared to the OLD generation.
How to expedite a passport in Kenya?
In emergencies, such as urgent medical travel or other life-and-death situations, you may need your passport faster than the usual timeline. The Department of Immigration offers expedited passport services for such cases, but this may require paying additional fees.
To request an expedited passport, contact the immigration department through the following:
- Email: info@immigration.go.ke
- Hotline: +254 110 922 065 or +254 110 923 423
- WhatsApp: +254 796 347 090
Make sure to explain your emergency clearly and follow instructions from the immigration officers.
Well, there you have it. Now you understand why sometimes your passport can be delayed even after applying. But most importantly, you know how long you can wait after applying for your passport and the period it takes to receive it.
