Kenya is set to roll out the usage of the new Kenyan East African e-passport from September.
This is according to the Department of immigration that announced that Kenyan citizens will be able to be issued with the e-passport from next month.
The Immigration Department said that the upgrade is expected to facilitate faster clearance at ports of entry and exit and will apply to new applications/renewals before the current passport is phased out.
Holders of valid current passports will be allowed to use them for the next two years to August 2019 after which they will be rendered invalid.
The e-passport will have a chip that will contain holder’s details that must match information on the booklet.
The application procedures for the e-passport remains the same, that is through ecitizen.co.ke and the cost will also remain the same too.
Through the e-citizen portal, applicants pay 4,550 shillings for a 32-page passport while 48-page passport costs 6,050 shillings.
To this end, the e-Passport will replace the ordinary passports used, as well as the EAC passport within the next two years.
Those who have visas in the current Ordinary passports will not be affected, the visas will remain valid even after replacement.
— Immigration Kenya (@ImmigrationDept) August 17, 2017
5. What will be the processing period for an ePassport?
-10 working days.#AskImmigrationKE
— Immigration Kenya (@ImmigrationDept) August 18, 2017