Kenyan passport tracking: How to check status online or via SMS

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

The Kenyan government's adoption of technology has greatly improved various institutions and integral service providers. The passport application and processing upgrade may be the most dominant, effective, and well-received. Although not entirely paperless, it is a digital revolution in the making. With Kenyan passport tracking, applicants can know whether their passports are ready for pick-up without physically visiting the immigration office. In this article, TUKO.co.ke spoke to an immigration consultant to gain expert insights into the processing and tracking of Kenyan passports.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

- Kenyan passport tracking application status

- What are the stages of passport processing in Kenya?

- How much is the passport application fees in Kenya?

- What is the current passport renewal fee in Kenya?

- How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport?

- Where can Kenyans in the diaspora apply for passports?

- Why is your passport tracking number not found in the system?

- What is the validity period for a Kenyan passport?

- Interview with an immigration consultant

- Are Kenyan passports biometric?

- Which is the strongest passport in the world?

Tracking the progress of your Kenyan passport application is like following a digital trail that ensures your travel plans stay on course. Through the innovative passport tracking service, applicants can navigate the journey from submission to issuance with ease and confidence. This service provides real-time updates and offers peace of mind, ensuring that your passport is ready when you need it.

Kenyan passport tracking application status

The updated tracking methods have made it easy for Kenyan and diaspora residents to view the progress of their applications. You can check your Kenyan passport application status using these three options:

Posta passport tracking

Kenya's Directorate of Immigration recently partnered with Posta to facilitate passport delivery nationwide. This made it possible to track one's document via the Posta website. Here is how to track a passport using a tracking number.

- Navigate to the booking and collection portal.

- Enter your 10-digit tracking number.

- Click on "track my passport."

- The Posta passport tracking portal will present a page showing your application's progress.

SMS tracking

Applicants with pending passport applications or uncollected passports can check their application status by sending an SMS with their eCitizen application reference code to 22222. The Directorate is currently upgrading its facilities to enhance the user experience and accommodate the increasing number of clients

eCitizen passport tracking

Today, all passport applications are done online after creating an account on the eCitizen portal. After a successful application, one can track the status of their document through the platform when logged in to their accounts. Here is a simple guide to follow for tracking Kenyan passports online.

- Log in to the eCitizen portal and navigate to the Directorate of Immigration.

- On the dashboard, you will see the status of your application (if you have already applied). Common statuses include accepted, rejected, or ready for collection.

- Since this method has no additional cost, you can check your application's progress as frequently as possible.

What are the stages of passport processing in Kenya?

Although the online application process is simple, many steps are involved in producing a Kenyan passport. The processing stages of a passport in Kenya provide applicants insight into the effort required to obtain or renew their passport. Here are the steps of processing a passport.

- Create and log in to your e-citizen account: You must fill out the passport application form online through your e-citizen account and submit it along with the required documents and passport renewal fee.

- Document verification: Access immigration department services through your e-Citizen account. Navigate to the 'Department of Immigration Service', select 'Get Service', and choose 'passport application' based on whether it's for an adult or child account.

- Fill out the form and make payments. In the third stage, you must enter all your personal information and upload supporting documents to verify your details.

- Biometric capture: Visit the designated immigration office for biometric data capture, including fingerprints and photographs.

- Processing and approval: The application is processed, and background checks are conducted. If everything is in order, the application is approved.

- Passport printing: Once approved, your passport is printed.

- Dispatch: The printed passport is dispatched to the collection point or sent via courier, depending on the delivery option chosen.

- Collection or delivery: You can either collect your passport from the designated office or receive it through the postal service, where you can track the delivery status online.

How much is the passport application fees in Kenya?

According to the Directorate of Immigration Service website, to get a 34-page passport, one needed to pay Ksh. 4,550, while for the 50-page one, Ksh. 6,050. The 66-page passport cost Ksh. 7,550. However, there have been recent updates regarding the costs.

However, according to a special gazette notice dated November 7, 2023, then Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Kithure Kindiki declared an increase in the fee for a standard 34-page passport application, raising it from the current Ksh.4,550 to Ksh.7,500.

Furthermore, the cost of a 50-page ordinary passport for applicants has escalated to Ksh.9,500 from the existing Ksh.6,050. Additionally, the application fee for a 66-page ordinary passport is now Ksh.12,500.

What is the current passport renewal fee in Kenya?

Per the new gazette notice issued by the Interior Ministry on November 7, 2023, passport replacement would cost you Ksh. 20,000 from the usual Ksh. 12,000. Additionally, replacing a mutilated passport would cost you Ksh. 10,000.

How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport?

The processing time for obtaining a Kenyan passport is set to change significantly due to recent improvements in the Directorate of Immigration. Here is a detailed timeline based on the information provided:

Timeline | Duration |

May 1, 2024 | Take 21 days to process a passport |

August 1, 2024 | Processing time will be reduced to 7 days |

From November 1, 2024 | The processing time will be just 3 days. |

The Directorate of Immigration has been experiencing long-standing delays in passport issuance, which impact individuals seeking jobs, education, business, and healthcare. To address this, the Directorate received two new printers to increase passport production capacity.

The two newly commissioned printers at Nyayo House can produce approximately 600 passports per hour. With these new printers, the Immigration Department's capacity will increase, allowing it to handle a daily demand of 5,000 passport applications.

The combined capacity of the new and existing printers will enable the production of 5,600 passports within eight hours and over 10,000 passports within 24 hours.

The government plans to implement a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), which includes publishing the names of 50,000 applicants whose passports have been produced but not yet collected.

Where can Kenyans in the diaspora apply for passports?

Applicants in the diaspora can have their passports processed at various foreign missions, including London, Washington, D.C., Berlin, Pretoria, Dubai, and Paris.

Why is your passport tracking number not found in the system?

If your tracking number is not found, it probably means your passport hasn't been sent yet. You are advised to wait a little bit longer. However, if it's taking longer than expected, you might need to visit their office to check.

What is the validity period for a Kenyan passport?

Kenyan passports have a validity period of ten years. If, at any time, the document no longer contains space for visas, a new one must be obtained.

Interview with an immigration consultant

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Elizabeth Wambui, the Founder & Lead Consultant of Millennia Immigration Consultancy, opened up about Kenyan passport processing and tracking. She provided valuable insights into what applicants should understand and how they can speed up the process. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

Q: Ms. Wambui, as an immigration consultant and visa specialist who regularly helps people navigate immigration processes, you may have noticed that some first-time passport applicants are often unsure about what happens after they submit their application. What should someone applying for a Kenyan passport for the first time understand about the process from application to collection, and how can tracking their application help them to know whether everything is progressing as expected?

The first thing every first-time passport applicant should know is that the passport application process starts long before visiting the immigration office. Preparation is very important. It will save you a lot of time.

Applicants should first gather all the required documents, including their original birth certificate, original national ID card, a recent passport-size photograph on a white background, copies of both parents' ID cards (or a death certificate where applicable), details of two guarantors and copies of their ID cards. For minors, parental consent is also required.

Once all the documents are ready, the applicant creates an account on the eCitizen portal and submits the passport application online before booking a biometric appointment. The applicant must then appear in person at the nearest immigration office for biometric capture, such as Nyayo House in Nairobi or another regional immigration office.

After biometric capture, the applicant receives a passport tracking number. This is very important because it allows them to monitor the progress of their application through the official tracking system. Generally, the passport progresses through several stages, including Biometrics Mode, Processing, Printing, Delivery, and finally Delivered/Picked once it has been collected.

Q: One of the biggest frustrations for passport applicants is not knowing whether their application is being processed as expected or if there has been an issue. Based on your experience of assisting clients, how can a passport applicant tell the difference between an application that is simply still being processed and one that may require follow-up?

Passport processing is a step-by-step process, and applications may remain at one stage for several days depending on the workload at the Department of Immigration. Factors such as high application volumes, temporary shortages of passport booklets, or technical issues such as maintenance of printing equipment may also affect processing times.

Where there is a genuine issue, such as inconsistencies in names, supporting documents or other application details, the applicant will normally be notified through the eCitizen portal or asked to provide additional information. This is why I always advise applicants to keep checking their application status through the official channels rather than assuming there is a problem.

Q: Imagine an applicant who has checked their passport status online or via the available tracking channels, but their information seems not to change for a long time. Based on your experience as an immigration consultant, what practical steps should they take before becoming frustrated and turning to unofficial agents who promise to 'speed things up'?

My first advice is simple: don't panic. Sometimes delays are simply part of the normal processing system and are not caused by the applicant.

Continue checking your passport status through the official tracking channels, i.e., your eCitizen account. If the status has remained unchanged for an unusually long period and you are concerned, contact the Department of Immigration directly on their phone or visit the immigration office where you submitted your application.

I strongly discourage applicants from turning to brokers who claim they can "speed up" passport processing. The government is the only institution responsible for processing Kenyan passports, and unofficial agents do not have access to the government's internal systems.

Q: Sometimes, what appears to be a delay may actually be linked to an issue that could have been avoided when the application was submitted. Drawing on your professional experience, what common mistakes do applicants make when applying for or following up on a Kenyan passport that can complicate the process?

The most common delays begin with documentation. Applicants should ensure that all documents are genuine, complete and consistent before submitting the application. Names appearing on the birth certificate, national ID and other supporting documents should match exactly.

For minors, parental consent and the required supporting documents should also be in order before applying. Many issues are identified during biometric capture, where immigration officers verify the documents before the application proceeds further. Correcting mistakes at this stage is much easier than discovering them later.

I also advise applicants to avoid trying to use unofficial channels to influence the process. Allowing the Department of Immigration to process the application through the normal procedures is always the safest approach in my experience.

Q: Passport applicants are often vulnerable to individuals who claim to have 'connections' or who promise to expedite the passport application process in exchange for a fee. Having worked in immigration and visas, what warning signs should Kenyans look out for when someone offers to help with their passport application, and what quick tips can you advise to expedite passport processing?

Applicants should be cautious of such approaches outside immigration offices by those who say they have "connections" that can help them get their passport faster for a fee.

While an individual might have true firsthand knowledge of a person in government, the Department of Immigration is a big institution that has many different parts, and no one should give any promises or assurances of guaranteed or unofficial 'shortcuts.'

It is the right of every Kenyan who is eligible to have a passport as long as the requirements are met, and applicants should only access the official government means of obtaining a passport.

My tips are the following: Don't use intermediaries, particularly those who are standing outside a passport office trying to peddle rapid services. Do not get advice from anyone other than the Department of Immigration or a trustworthy, licensed immigration consultant.

Are Kenyan passports biometric?

Modern Kenyan passports have various biometric features that align with the digitisation requirements. The new one contains the holder's bio-data, such as fingerprints, digitally stored photos and signatures.

Which is the strongest passport in the world?

France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain passport holders hold the most travel power, as they can enter 194 nations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

How strong is the Kenyan passport?

The current global ranking of the Kenyan passport is 64th, as per the Passport Index ranking. This ranking is determined by the level of international access it provides to Kenyan passport holders. The Kenya passport mobility score is as follows:

Overall mobility score | 77 countries |

Visa-free | 38 countries |

Visa on arrival | 36 countries |

ETA | 3 countries |

Visa required | 121 countries |

Passport power rank | 64th position |

World reach | 39% |

Kenyan passport tracking is incredibly easy. One can view their application progress via SMS, through the eCitizen portal or the Posta passport tracking portal. These methods have eliminated the need to visit immigration offices for progress checking.

Tuko.co.ke recently published an article on how to track your PCK parcel and shipment with Posta tracking. Posta offers shipment services, picking up your items from a specified location and dropping them at your desired destination.

It can send parcels through its local post offices or internationally. Depending on the item you want to send, Posta can deliver it within the same day or up to three months for surface parcels. As you wait for your items, you can use the Posta tracking portal to track your shipment.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Simon Ayub (Lifestyle writer) Simon Ayub is a Content Manager, Strategist, and writer who joined Tuko's team in 2019. He graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a CPA. Simon has over a decade of experience creating content for nyagah.co.ke, the Hoth and other platforms. He works on content encompassing biographies, fashion and lifestyle, gaming, and more. Simon was awarded the "Writer of the Year" 2024 on Tuko. In 2023, Simon finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and, in 2024, expanded their skills through the Google Initiative Course. You can reach him via simonayub@gmail.com.

Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Tuko.co.ke, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile at Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.