The Kenyan Passport, Application Process, Documents Required, Fees, Facts, and News
Owning a passport in Kenya can open doors for you. Read about the Kenya passport application process, requirements, fees, facts, and news.
Facts about the Kenyan Passport.
The Kenyan passport and application process is regulated by the Kenya Citizens and Immigration Act, which took effect on August 30, 2011, following the promulgation of the new Constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010.
Additionally, the process is regulated by the Legal Notice No. 64 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations of 2012.
The Kenya passport is under the Department of Immigration and Registration of Persons under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. Kenya offers the East African Community ePassport version allowing one to travel within the regional block.
Kenya phased out the old passport on August 31, 2019, making them unrecognized identification documents and forcing passport holders to acquire the new EAC ePassport.
Additionally, the Kenyan Passport is part of Kenya’s digitization process, which intends to assign citizens a single digital ID that can be used across various services.
Subsequently, the passport carries an RFID chip, a biometric certificate, and a cryptographic key.
The Kenya Passport is valid for 10 years after issuance, and holders must renew their document and pay applicable fees. Children and adults pay the same amount for the application and renewal of Kenyan passports.
Kenya allows citizens to have dual citizenship but must declare by filling out mandatory forms.
However, the passport remains the state’s property and can be withdrawn anytime without warning.
How to apply for a Kenyan passport.
Natural-born Kenyan citizens or those who acquired citizenship by registration can acquire Kenyan passports by completing the application process and approval by the Ministry of Interior.
Other individuals can also acquire temporary permits allowing them to stay and work in Kenya for specified periods which can be extended by renewal.
The following enumerates the steps of acquiring a Kenyan passport.
Step 1: Open an e-citizen account.
The first step in applying for a Kenyan passport involves opening an e-citizen account that allows you to receive government services online.
The ecitizen passport application process is straightforward and involves providing your personal details such as name, identity card number, phone number, and SMS confirmation.
Opening an e-citizen account is crucial since it allows you to access other services such as birth and death certificate applications, renew your driver’s license, or even register a business in the comfort of your home.
Step 2: Fill out a passport application form.
Having created an e-citizen account, individuals can complete an application form requesting a passport. Here, you will provide extensive personal details that were not captured during the ecitizen account opening process.
Step 3: Scan and upload the required documents.
Passport applicants must scan and upload the required documents to verify the information provided in the application form.
Step 4: Paying passport fees.
Having completed the first three steps, a passport applicant must pay the passport application fee to facilitate the processing of the document.
Types of passports in Kenya and their prices.
The cost of an ordinary Kenyan passport A series with 34 pages is Ksh 4,550, the B series with 50 pages is Ksh 6,050, while the C series with 66 pages is 7,550, which is also the cost of a diplomatic passport.
Passport renewal fees are Ksh. 10,050.00 for those with damaged or mutilated travel documents and Ksh. 12,050.00 for those who have lost theirs.
Step 5: Booking an appointment.
Having paid the mandatory passport application fees, you can book an appointment and appear in person with the necessary documents to conclude the passport application process.
Final Step: proof of documents and biometrics.
Here the applicant must download and print the completed documents Form 19 and attach copies of the required documents such as identity card and birth certificate.
For first-time applicants, the documents needed to apply for a passport are:
- The national ID for Kenyan-born citizens or a certificate of registration for non-Kenyan born who have obtained Kenyan citizenship.
- Applicant's original birth certificate
- Original identity card for adult applicants or consent forms for minors.
- Copies of parents’ identity cards or death certificates.
- Original and copies of parents’ birth certificates.
- Two copies of payment invoices.
Failure to obtain any of these documents would prevent you from successfully obtaining a Kenyan passport.
So it is usually advisable to start the passport application earlier to avoid running into problems since obtaining some documents, such as birth and death certificates, may pose a challenge.
Lastly, passport applicants must submit biometric data and await confirmation and passport collection.
Applicants receive their passports through the Kenya Post Office.
The Ministry of Immigration usually sends a notification SMS with instructions on the passport collection process.
Kenya passport biometric data collection centers.
The Kenyan immigration department has biometric data collection centers in seven towns and cities as follows:
- Nairobi (Nyayo House Ground Floor),
- Mombasa (Uhuru na Kazi Mombasa P.o box 90284 Mombasa)
- Kisumu at the New PC’s office Kisumu
- Embu at the Embu PC’s office
- Nakuru at the Regional Commissioner’s Building Nakuru P.O box 17632
- Kisii at the County Commissioners Building
- Eldoret at the Public Works Building
Visa-free countries for Kenyan passport holders.
Although the Kenyan passport is fairly weak at the 155th position per the VisaGuide Passport Index, it allows passport holders to travel to 45 countries without visas.
A visa is a document that conditionally allows a foreigner to enter a country and stay for a specified period.
While passports from all UN-recognized countries are globally accepted, some countries require visitors to obtain special permission (visa) to enter in addition to the identity/travel document.
Such efforts are usually to curb illegal immigration, control the movement of people within a country or region, or for national security reasons.
Countries that allow visa-free travel for Kenya passport holders are:
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Benin
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Burundi
Cayman Islands
Cook Islands
Cuba
Dominica
Ethiopia
Eritrea (Since Feb 2023)
Fiji
Ghana
Grenada
Haiti
Hong Kong
Jamaica
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Mauritius
Micronesia
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Niue
Panama
Philippines
Rwanda
Senegal
Singapore
South Africa
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Tanzania
Gambia
Trinidad and Tobago
Uganda
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Eswatini
Countries that allow Kenyan passport holders to visit with only eVisas
Another 22
countries allow Kenyan passport holders to apply for an electronic Visa, eVisa,
or e-Visa, which can be applied online to allow someone to enter a country or
on arrival.
Countries that grant Kenyans eVisas are:
Bahrain
Colombia
Djibouti
Gabon
Georgia
Guinea
India
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Myanmar
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saint Helena
Suriname
Tajikistan
Türkiye (Turkey)
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
While eVisa might not be as convenient as visa-free travel, allowing visitors to gain entry after applying online is very helpful, especially during emergencies such as medical procedures.
Subsequently, many Kenyans have managed to seek medical attention in India without the inconveniences of visa application.
Visa-free travel within Africa.
Unfortunately, many African countries, including Nigeria, have travel restrictions even for Africans, which restricts the free movement of people and trade.
However, momentum is building to allow the free movement and residence of people within the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
While 54 out of 55 countries have signed the agreement, only 44 have deposited their instrument of ratification, and only 4 have ratified the protocol.
According to Stephen Karingi, the Director of Regional Integration and Trade UNECA, African integration is an existential necessity and destiny for the African continent.
Speaking during the May 3, 2023, East African Community meeting in Arusha, Kenya’s President William Samoei Ruto called on members of the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to fast-track the removal of travel barriers to the movement of people and goods.
While many visitors can apply for an eVisa on arrival to Kenya, President Ruto has also promised to remove visa requirements for all travelers to boost tourism.
With the East African Community issuing a joint ePassport, the strength of the Kenyan passport will continue to improve, allowing holders to visit more countries.
Kenya Passport News
The Kenyan government is working to improve the passport application process and expand opportunities for passport holders.
In June 2023, the government introduced urgent passport processing for individuals who wish to travel on short notice.
Subsequently, individuals who had "proof of urgency" would receive priority services to avoid hurting their travel plans.
Kenya and Eritrea abolish visa requirements.
Kenya and Eritrea have abolished visa requirements for citizens of both countries to spur the "economic transformation of both countries."
“We must have a regime that is free of barriers to further integration, strengthen connectivity and enhance regional trade,” President Ruto said in a joint press statement.
The leaders said the move would increase trade and investment potential between the two countries.
In 2020, the trade volume between Kenya and Eritrea was valued at Ksh. 73.4 million (US$51,568) down from Ksh. 257 million ($1.8 million), representing a 71.4% decrease from 2015.
The presidents hoped that scrapping visa requirements could restore trade between both countries.
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