At the end if 2019, the ministry of internal affairs introduced new process of how to apply for a Ugandan e-Passport online.
Up to now the application process for getting a Passport has been manual, necessitating the applicant to obtain and fill a form, attach photographs and associated documents, look for the signature of the recommender, and finally present the file to the Immigration Officer for manual processing. This has been a long and tedious process prone to delay, manipulation and a source of great temptations to staff and the public for corrupt practices.
Here are 10 must knows when you are applying for a Ugandan e-passport online.
1. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) know has an operational online portal forthe new e-Passport application which can be found at www.passports.go.ug
2. To apply online for an e-Passport, one needs to follow the following procedures:
- Log on to www.passports.go.ug and accept the terms of the service.
- Choose the type of service
- Fill in the passport application form
- Choose the mode of payment, print out the application ID with the Payment Registration Number (PRN) and go ahead and pay using the payment mode of your choice cash (over the counter), mobile money, EFT, Pay way and all types of visa cards
- After payment, access your account and schedule an appointment on the convenient date for your interview at the Passport Office.
- Please go with your application ID, your National ID, your certificate to confirm your profession (If any) and a copy of the recommender’s National ID and a copy of the old passport for those renewing.
3. The new e-Passport application procedure has various advantages including the following;
- Reducing on the processing time of the Passport from seven working Days to 48 working hours (2 days).
- Reducing the congestion seen at the Passport office as the system enables scheduling.
- Eliminates chances of foreigners obtaining Ugandan Passports as it has thorough check and interaction with other government agencies relevant to applicant verification.
- Eases payment processes because different methods can be used to pay for Passports such as cash (over the counter), mobile money, EFT, Pay way and all types of visa cards.
4. The online applications will take 48 hours (Two working days) while the manual application will continue to take 7 working Days. Over time this manual application service will be phased out.
5. Applications paid manually will NOT be accepted beyond 31st December 2019. All applicants who paid manually should ensure that their applications are submitted to the Passport Control Office by 31st December 2019. (This deadline passed as of writing this post)
6. All those who paid UGX 150,000 for Passports and have not yet got them to go online, apply for the Passport afresh and pay the new Passport fee of UGX 250,000; and then seek a refund for the earlier paid UGX 150,000 from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) after the Passport is issued. We no longer accept the UGX 100,000 Top-up for Passport fees.
7. The fees for the new e-Passport shall remain as follows:
- Ordinary Passport (48 Pages) – UGX 250,000;
- Service Passport (64 Pages) – UGX 400,000;
- Diplomatic Passport (64 Pages) – UGX 500,000;
- Express Processing – UGX 150,000;
- Courier Service for Applicants abroad – UGX 10,000;
- Certification of Passport – UGX 30,000
- Fine for Replacement of lost or damaged Passport costs – UGX 100,000.
8. The ministry has asked all Ugandans to embrace this new development and have confidence in the Directorate Citizenship and Immigration control in particular and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in general.
9. You do not need a middleman or an agent to access this facility. Go online, make the application, pay and finally come with your details and you will be served and if you need information or assistance on this matter and any services of the directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, go directly to our nearest offices
10. If for whatever reason, anybody asks you for money at the Immigration Office please take the identity of that person and report him to the authorities. We are here to serve with honor and integrity.
