Passport Delays in Kenya? Get Lawyers to Help You

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Planning a trip can be a fantastic way to relax and reward yourself for your hard work. Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, school, or to pursue a romantic relationship, it’s an exciting adventure to look forward to.

Regardless of your travel motives, we can agree that getting a passport in Kenya can be challenging. Passport delays in Kenya can hinder travel and marriage plans, cause anxiety, and even result in missed opportunities for personal and business growth.

Many clients approach us for help fastening their passport applications. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the reasons behind passport delays in Kenya and explore our solutions to help you quickly obtain your travel documents.

Don’t let passport delays ruin your travel plans. Contact us today for help and guidance with your application and printing process. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.

What Causes Passport Delays in Kenya?

As of July 2023, there was a printing backlog of 42,000 passports due to a delay in clearance for the passport booklets. Other than this issue, there are other reasons why your passport application may be delayed, and they can be summarized into the following:

  1. High Demand – Kenya’s population has been steadily growing in recent years. Between 2009 and 2019, there was an increase of 10 million people, and experts expect this trend to continue. As a result, there is now a higher demand for passports due to the current population of 47 million. Additionally, Kenyans are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad, including jobs, education, and romance, which has created additional pressure on printing facilities to keep up with the demand for travel documents.
  2. Printing Equipment Failures and Technical Challenges – Occasionally, the immigration department experiences printing equipment failures, causing backlogs in the printing. The department also has scheduled maintenance for the systems that can sometimes impact the efficiency of passport processing in Kenya, as the repairs can take up to a week.
  3. Corruption and Fraud – Despite the Kenyan government’s active efforts to combat corruption within state agencies, there are still numerous obstacles that corrupt officials can exploit to take advantage of individuals during the passport processing process. 
  4. Bureaucracy and Procurement Issues – It is common to delay clearing the procurements of resources for printing passports. In July 2023, we got a report from the Directorate of Immigration Services that a delay in paying the $580 million bill for 60,000 passport booklets was the cause of the delays experienced in 2023.

Regardless of the reason for the delay in your passport, engaging a lawyer like those from our firm ensures you have the best chance of traveling on time.

How We Help Our Clients Get Their Passports Quicker

When you contact us regarding your passport, we assure you of a smooth application process and a quick turnaround time. Here are the solutions we offer to make this possible:

1. Writing Letters of Urgency

Writing letters to the Directorate of Immigration, the state department that handles passport applications and processing, among other public services, often doesn’t result in much without the backing of a legal expert.

Leveraging our capacity as advocates, we write on behalf of our clients to ensure their applications are prioritized and processed as quickly as possible, regardless of whether it’s a first-time application or a passport replacement.

2. Consultation and guidance

During the passport application, we also provide consultation guidance to ensure that you get the application process right on the first attempt, which many of our clients say saves them time.

3. Document notarization

The passport application process involves many documents, including your study documents and parents’ national identity cards or death certificates; not everyone can access these.

You may schedule a virtual consultation or book an appointment with our lawyers to enhance your application process. We will assist you in obtaining all the necessary documents and notarize anything requiring the backing of a notary public. 

Our notarization services ensure smooth applications for you and guarantee the fastest processing of your passport.

What Are Some Tips for Avoiding Passport Processing Delays?

Understanding the causes of passport delays in Kenya and failed applications is necessary for planning and avoiding delays.

The most important thing is planning ahead, so make your passport application earlier than you think you need it. The extra time you have gives room for unexpected obstacles like technical failures. 

If your application is relatively urgent, we recommend seeking guidance from a professional or resources available online, like our passport application guide, to get everything right on the first try. 

Have all the necessary documents and files to avoid queuing for hours at the Immigration Department, only to be sent away to get additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there passport delays in Kenya?

Passport applications often get delayed due to increased demand, bureaucratic processes, procurement clearance issues, corruption and fraud, and failures in printing equipment.

How do I complain about a delayed passport in Kenya?

If you have experienced a delay in receiving your passport, you can contact the Immigration Department through their phone numbers, +254 110 923 422 and +254 110 923 423, or via email at [email protected] to file a complaint.

Can a lawyer help me get my passport quicker?

Indeed, engaging a legal professional to communicate with immigration on your behalf increases the likelihood of success during the passport application process.

Is there an alternative to using legal services for Faster passport processing?

Yes, it’s possible to go through the process independently; however, this is risky if your travel dates are close, especially if it’s your first application. Engaging the services of legal experts offers a more efficient and reliable solution that protects your time and peace of mind.

How long does it take to get a passport?

While the Immigration Department states a timeline of 5 to 10 days, it is more realistic to expect a wait of around 21 days. Unfortunately, some individuals may experience delays lasting up to eight months.

Is the government working to fasten passport applications? 

Yes, Kenya’s parliament started the conversation around passport delays in June of 2023, seeking to address the printing machine breakdowns, corruption, and graft. Still, these efforts mark just the initial steps, and so far, we can’t say the problem has been resolved.

Overview

Our law firm is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of passport processing in Kenya while minimizing delays. 

We understand the frustration and inconvenience caused by extended passport processing times, especially when urgent travel and business plans are at stake.

Until the government completely eradicates these delays, we encourage you to seek assistance from legal service providers like Kraido Advocates to ensure you get your passport promptly in case there are any delays.

Do not hesitate to seek guidance during the application process; our lawyers are here for you.

For help fast-tracking your delayed passport, contact us by calling +254 799 180 755, emailing [email protected], or sending us a message via our Free Inquiry Form.

For further legal help and consultation, don't hesitate to contact Kraido Advocates by calling +254 799 180 755 or via our FREE INQUIRY FORM.
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