Updated 20 October 2026
Quick answer: You can check your Kenyan passport application status in two ways, according to the Directorate of Immigration Services: log in to your eCitizen account, or SMS the application number on your payment receipt to 22222. The Directorate’s service charter target is 14 days from biometrics capture to a ready passport, and you collect it at the same processing centre where you did your biometrics.
In this guide
Two Official Ways to Check Passport Status
1. Through your eCitizen account
- Go to the eCitizen portal and log in to eCitizen with the same account you used to apply. If you never had one, you’ll need to create an eCitizen account first, but a status check only works on the account that holds the application.
- Open the Directorate of Immigration Services section.
- Find your passport application in your list of applications.
- Read the status shown against it. Note your application number and the date in case you need to follow up.
2. By SMS to 22222
- Find the application number printed on your eCitizen payment receipt or invoice.
- Type that application number into a new SMS.
- Send it to 22222.
- Wait for the reply, which tells you where your application has reached.
The SMS route is handy if you can’t remember your eCitizen password or don’t have data. Make sure you copy the number exactly as it appears on the receipt.
How Long a Kenyan Passport Takes
The Directorate’s FAQ says a passport takes fourteen days after biometrics, as set out in its service charter. The clock starts at your appointment at the processing centre, not on the day you filled in the form or paid on eCitizen.
In practice, the date you can book for biometrics depends on how busy your chosen centre is. The Directorate has said that keeping a steady supply of passport booklets is how it cuts waiting times, and in 2024 it took delivery of 100,000 booklets for that purpose. If your passport has gone well past 14 days, check the status first, then contact the Directorate.
What the Process Looks Like
| Stage | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Application and payment | Fill in the form, upload documents and pay the fee | eCitizen (Directorate of Immigration Services) |
| Appointment | Book a date at a processing centre | eCitizen |
| Submission and biometrics | Hand in original documents; photo and fingerprints taken | Your chosen processing centre |
| Processing and printing | Application checked and booklet printed; status changes on eCitizen | Directorate |
| Collection | Collect in person with the right documents | Same centre as biometrics |
For the full application steps and documents, see our guide on how to apply for a Kenyan passport online. Use the eCitizen passport photo resizer and the eCitizen document compressor if eCitizen rejects your uploads.
Passport Processing Centres
The Directorate lists nine centres where you can submit your application and enrol biometrics. You must collect your passport from the centre you chose, so pick the one that is easiest to return to.
- Nairobi (Nyayo House)
- Mombasa
- Kisumu
- Nakuru
- Eldoret
- Embu
- Kisii
- Kericho
- Bungoma
The Directorate’s FAQ is clear on this point. If you did your biometrics in Kisii, Embu, Nakuru or any other centre, you can’t collect at Nyayo House instead. Kenyans abroad deal with the nearest Kenya High Commission or Embassy.
The Directorate also publishes lists of passports ready for collection, sorted by centre, on its website. These lists are updated from time to time, so treat your eCitizen status or the 22222 SMS reply as the main signal.
What to Carry When You Collect Your Passport
According to the Directorate’s FAQ, bring:
- The invoice with the token attached
- Your original national ID card
- Your old passport booklet, if the new one is a replacement
Because the list includes your original ID, plan to collect the passport yourself. For children, the Directorate’s FAQ says child protection laws require the biological parent, or a guardian appointed by a court, to apply and present the child for biometrics, so the same parent or guardian should handle the follow-up.
Passport Fees for Reference
These are the fees on the Directorate’s types and fees page. Pay only through eCitizen and confirm the amount on the payment screen before you pay.
| Passport or document | Fee listed by the Directorate (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Ordinary passport, A series (34 pages) | 7,550 |
| Ordinary passport, B series (50 pages) | 9,550 |
| Ordinary passport, C series (66 pages) | 12,050 |
| Diplomatic passport | 15,050 |
| Replacement of a lost passport | 20,050 |
| Replacement of a mutilated passport | 20,050 |
| Temporary permit | 1,050 |
| East African interstate pass | Free |
If Your Status Has Not Changed
- Check your details first. The Directorate says your birth certificate and ID must carry the same names and date of birth. A mismatch has to be corrected at Civil Registration or the National Registration Bureau, and it can hold up an application.
- Missed or failed appointment: if you lacked a document on the day, the FAQ says you can reschedule to the next available date or ask the customer care desk at your centre for help.
- Contact the Directorate: call +254 20 222 2022 or email info@immigration.go.ke with your application number. You can also visit the customer care desk at the centre where you did biometrics.
- Beware of brokers. Status checks on eCitizen and by SMS go through official channels. Don’t pay anyone who offers to speed up your passport for an extra fee.
Travelling for work? Many employers also ask for a certificate of good conduct. Jobs abroad and locally are listed on JobinKenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my passport status in Kenya?
Log in to your eCitizen account, or SMS the application number on your receipt to 22222.
How long does a Kenyan passport take after biometrics?
The Directorate’s service charter target is 14 days after biometrics.
Can I collect my passport from a different centre?
No. You collect from the processing centre where you did your biometrics.
What do I need to collect my passport?
The invoice with the token attached, your original ID and, for a replacement, your old passport.
Do I need a recommender’s ID copy?
No. The Directorate says a recommender’s ID copy is no longer required.
How much is a Kenyan passport?
KSh 7,550 for the 34-page A series, KSh 9,550 for 50 pages and KSh 12,050 for 66 pages, according to the Directorate’s fee list.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
