Many Kenyan passport applicants don’t know this, but it is actually easy to track the status of their passport application. Therefore, if you want to know your passport’s processing stages, don’t look anywhere else in this article; we will walk you through everything you need to know.
It is now easier to apply for your Kenyan passport through the seamless integration of all Kenyan government services in the eCitizen Portal. For those 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 2010s period. With the technology at our fingertips, it is also easier to follow the status of your passport application.
The Directorate of Immigration Services, under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, provides three ways to submit: SMS, the eCitizen portal, and the 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; it is also available 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 “follow up,” forget about visiting immigration offices; those days are gone. 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 with internet access.
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 takes at least 10 working days to get your first passport once your form has been physically submitted to the immigration offices. For all other application types, it takes at least 5 working days.
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 guide to checking your passport’s status online.
- Visit the eCitizen website and log in to 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 has still not been submitted to Nyayo House for processing. The good thing, however, is that the government of Kenya has expedited this process, and you can log into the eCitizen 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 at passport.posta.co.ke.
- 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 eCitizen portal or in your email 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 small fee 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.
Understanding Your Passport Application Statuses
Once you start tracking your passport application, you will encounter various status labels on eCitizen or in your SMS response. Understanding what each status means helps you know exactly where your application stands and what action, if any, you need to take.
Here is what each common status means:
- Application Submitted — Your application has been received on the eCitizen system, but has not yet been physically submitted to the immigration office for processing. No action is needed at this stage; simply wait for your biometrics appointment.
- Accepted / Under Review — Your application has been received at the immigration office and is currently being reviewed and processed. Your documents are being verified internally. No action is needed.
- Biometrics Captured — You have visited the passport application centre and your fingerprints and photograph have been recorded. Your passport has now entered the production queue.
- Printing — Your passport is actively being printed. This is a positive sign that the process is nearing completion. You should expect a notification shortly.
- Ready for Collection — Your passport has been printed, verified, and is physically waiting for you at the passport application centre where you did your biometrics. You will typically also receive an SMS at the phone number you provided during the application.
- Rejected — There is a problem with your application. Log in to your eCitizen account to see the specific reason for rejection. Common reasons include mismatches between your ID and birth certificate, or incomplete documentation.
Note
According to the official immigration service charter, passport processing takes 14 working days after biometrics capture. If your status has not changed after this period, contact the Directorate of Immigration Services directly using the contacts provided later in this article.
Passport Collection
During the tracking process, when you see that your passport is ready, it is now ready for collection. In most cases, you will receive a text message at the phone number you provided during your application informing you that your passport has been printed and is ready for collection.
Collection of passports is done via the Immigration offices in Kenya, available at the following Passport Processing Centres:
- 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
Important: Your passport must be collected from the specific centre where you had your biometrics taken. You cannot collect from a different centre, even if it is more convenient.
It is recommended that you pick up your passport immediately. When doing so, you must have the following documents:
- Payment invoice with the token attached
- Original national ID
- Original birth certificate (for a person under 18 years old)
- Old passport booklet (in the case of a replacement application)
Why Your Passport Tracking Number May Not Be Found
One of the most common frustrations for applicants tracking their Kenyan passport is receiving a “not found” response when they enter their tracking number. Before you panic, here are the most likely reasons this happens and what you should do:
- Your application has not been physically submitted yet: If you completed the application on eCitizen but have not yet attended your biometrics appointment at the immigration office, your tracking number will not yet be active in the processing system. Wait until after your biometrics appointment.
- You are entering the wrong number: Your tracking number is the application number on your eCitizen receipt, not your national ID number, phone number, or eCitizen account number. Double-check your email confirmation or eCitizen dashboard for the correct number.
- The system is still updating: After biometrics capture, there is a short delay before it updates your tracking status. If it has been less than 48 hours since your biometrics appointment, try the following day again.
- Technical issues on the portal: Both the eCitizen and Posta Kenya portals occasionally experience downtime. If the site is unresponsive, wait a few hours and try again, or switch to the SMS method by texting your application number to 22222.
- Your application was rejected: A rejected application may not return a trackable status on the Posta portal. Log in to your eCitizen account directly for the most complete status update.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Kenyan Passport?
Passport processing in Kenya takes at least 10 working days for first-time applicants once your form is physically submitted. For renewals and replacements, it takes at least 5 working days. However, the standard processing time is 10–15 working days, but delays may occur during peak periods.
But if you just can’t wait, the Department of Immigration allows for expedited processing. An express service (5–7 days) is available at an extra fee, depending on circumstances such as urgent travel requirements. For the current expedited processing fees, visit the official immigration website at immigration.go.ke for the most up-to-date fee schedule, as passport booklet categories and associated charges are subject to periodic revision.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a passport once I have done biometrics?
According to the official immigration service charter, it takes 14 working days after your biometrics have been captured. However, standard processing can range between 10 and 15 working days. If your passport is not ready after 14 working days, contact the immigration department directly.
How do I know the progress of my passport application?
You can check by logging into your eCitizen account and navigating to the Directorate of Immigration Services section. Alternatively, text your application number to 22222 via SMS for a quick status update, though the SMS option attracts a small airtime fee.
Can I collect my passport from a different centre than where I applied?
No. Your passport must be collected from the specific passport application centre where you attended your biometrics appointment. This is a firm policy of the Directorate of Immigration Services with no exceptions.
Why is my passport tracking number not found in the system?
The most common reasons are that you have not yet attended your biometrics appointment, you are using the wrong application number, or the system has not yet updated after a recent biometrics capture. Wait 48 hours after your biometrics appointment and try again, or contact immigration for assistance.
