Many Kenyan Passport Applicants don’t know this, but it is actually easy to track your passport application status. Therefore, if you want to know your passport’s processing stages, don’t look anywhere in this article; we will walk you through everything you need.
It is now easier to apply for your Kenyan Passport through the possible integration of all Kenyan Goverment services in the eCitizen Portal. For those who are new in town, the eCitizen is a platform that hosts all the Kenyan government ministries and departments. Think of every service you need, from NTSA to passports, and they are all there. But hey, we are no longer in the early 2010 or period before now. With the technology in our own hands, it is also easier to follow up on the status of your passport application.
The Department of Immigration, through the Ministry of Interior & National Administration, provides up to three ways that you can use these: the SMS, Same eCitizen portal, and Posta Collection portal. All this is covered in the article.
What Is Passport Tracking in Kenya
Passport Tracking is not just a thing in Kenya but globally through various government systems. As the name suggests, Passport tracking is just the process of you taking an action to follow up and see when your passport will be ready for collection. When we say “Folllow up,” forget about visiting immigration offices; gone are those days. By the way, the primary purpose of these offices is biometric capture after your application on eCitizen. You can, therefore, use Online methods from the comfort of your smartphone or any device that can access the internet.
Passport Tracking Methods To Use In Kenya
By now, it is clear that you can track the processing status of a passport application using all the various official methods that the Department of Immigration provides. Please note that despite using these methods, it might actually take up to at least 10 working days to get your first passport once your form has been physically submitted to the immigration offices.
Method 1: Using the eCitizen Portal
If you applied for your passport using the eCitizen online platform, you can also use the same portal to check its status. Here is a step-by-step process for seeing your passport’s status online.
- Visit the eCitizen website and log into your account
- If you don’t have an account, tap the register button and create one on the eCitizen website.
- Once logged in, navigate to the Directorate of Immigration Services section.
- You will see the status of your passport application on the dashboard. Common statuses include “accepted,” “rejected,” or “ready for collection.”
If there is no status on your dashboard, then your form still has not been submitted to Nayo House for processing. The good thing, however, is that the government of Kenya has expedited this process, and you can log into the eCitzen portal and check your status as much as possible, as the process does not attract any fee.
Method 2: Using the Posta Collection Portal
Posta Kenya is mainly known for managing Kenya’s post offices and mail services. But under the hood, Posta Kenya is also helpful for its ability to see the status of your passport through its booking and collection portal. Here is how
- Visit the official Posta Kenya booking and collection portal.
- On the interface presented in the search box with a placeholder (Tracking Number), enter your tracking number, which is usually 10 digits. You can find this number on the eCitzen portal or in your mail after you apply for your passport.
- When you are done, click on the blue Track My Passport button. You will then receive feedback showing the progress of your application.
Method 3: Using SMS
If you want to check your passport status by phone, you can also use SMS messages, which involve texting your tracking number to 22222. This method is best for those who do not have access to the internet, but remember that using this method actually attracts a fee of Ksh 5 bob from your airtime. Here is how:
- Open your phone’s messaging app and create a new message.
- Enter the tracking number issued upon document submission.
- Send this information to 22222.
- Await a text response indicating your passport’s status – whether it’s ready for collection or still being processed.
How long does it take to get a Kenyan passport?
Passport processing in Kenya can take at least 10 working days once your form is ready for submission. However, the government has attempted to reduce the precision time to just 3 days.
But if you just cant wait, the Department of Migration allows for an expedition, but based on a circumstance such as life and death that requires international travel immediately,y you can make an appointment with them, and your passport will be considered for immediately processing
Passport Collection
During the tracking process, you see that your passport is ready. This means that it is now ready for collection. In most cases, you will receive a text message using the Phone number you provided during your application informing you that your passport is printed and ready for collection
Collection of passports is done via the Immigration offices in Kenya available at:
- Nairobi – Nyayo House Ground Floor
- Mombasa – Uhuru na Kazi building
- Kisumu – New PC’s office Kisumu
- Embu – Embu PC’s office
- Nakuru- Provincial Commissioners building
- Kisii – County Commissioners Building
- Eldoret – Public Works Building
- Kericho – Ardhi House, 4th floor
- Bungoma – Bungoma Immigration office
It is recommended that you pick up your passport immediately. Still, when doing so, you must have the following documents: Payment invoice, national ID, and birth certificate for a person under 18 years old.
Immigration Contacts
For Immediate assistance, you can contact the immigration department in Kenya using the following details:
- P.O. Box: 30191-00100 Nairobi
- Phone: +254 110922423, +254 110922424
- Hotline (Urgent Cases): +254 110922065
- Email: info@immigration.go.ke
- Twitter: @immigrationdept
Conclusion
And there you have it, friends. This is all you need to know about tracking your passport’s status in Kenya. In this article, we have provided you with all the necessary steps to follow, including SMS, eCitizen, and Posta Kenya tracking methods. By following everything we have mentioned in the article, you can quickly know the status of your passport. If you encounter any challenges, do not be afraid to reach out to the immigration Department for assistance.