Department of Immigration issues new guidelines on e-passport apllications on e-citizen portal

Government issues important communication on E-Passport applications

Charles Ouma

August 25, 2019 4:15 PM

These are the changes in the new guideline

File image of CS Fred Matiang'i The Department of Immigration has issued new guidelines on e-passport applications

The government has introduced new guidelines regarding applications for the new E-passports.

In a new communication released today, 25 August 2019, the Department of Immigration has directed all applicants to book an appointment in the e-citizen portal before visiting a station of their choice to submit their application.

While booking the appointments, applicants are also required to state the station of their convenience and specify the date and time when they will present themselves to submit their application.

Government issues new guidelines on e-passport applications Pulse Live Kenya

The guideline further states those who had made online applications for the E- passport through the e-citizen portal will also need to revisit the portal to book their appointment as per the guideline.

The guidelines specifies that there will however be an exemption in the following circumstances where applicants will be required to present supporting documentation:

1. Sick persons have urgent appointments to travel abroad for proper medical attention.

2. Students who are on scholarships that require immediate travel abroad.

3. Public servants on an urgent official assignment abroad.

4. Business executives on urgent official business visits abroad.

Earlier on, a deadline of 31 August had been set for the old-generation passport.

Long queues were witnessed at Nyayo House which houses the department of immigration as Kenyans scrambled to beat the deadline.

Long queues were witnessed at Nyayo House as Kenyans lined up to submit applications for the e-passport Pulse Live Kenya

Officers at the immigration department in Nairobi were overwhelmed by the large turn-out of applicants every other day as Kenyans spent hours waiting to submit their applications.

The deadline was eventually moved to 01 March 2020 with additional centers launched to process the vital document.

Charles Ouma