NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 – The immigration department has announced it will roll out e-passports from April 2017.
The department says the new generation passports will contain a chip that has the details and biometrics of the passport holder.
“With enhanced security features, the e-passports will be tamper proof and eliminate data skimming,” the department tweeted.
The e-passports are part of a wider East Africa strategy to enhance integration, with the passports set to be rolled out in the other EAC countries in the coming months.
Travel documents with the chips are registered with International Civil Aviation Organization and can be tracked via an antenna in the chip.
The department says the procedure of applying will remain unchanged though there will be no paper handling.
“Applicants will only visit our offices to have the biometrics registered after an online application process,” says the department.
“The Cost of an ePassport is as per the current charges, but in case of any changes we will as well communicate.”
Nearly 50 countries have issued e-passports to their citizens including Ghana, Gabon, Egypt, Morocco and Mauritius.
UPDATE
The Immigration Department has pushed the launch date of the e-passport to September.
