*The following information
is from the GID - 2012.
A valid Gambian passport is a document referring to
the person producing the same, furnished with a photograph
of such person and issued to him by or on behalf of
the Gambia, for a period of which according to the laws
of the Gambia has not expired, establishing the identity
of the person to whom it refers to the satisfaction
of the Director General of Immigration and issued under
his hand.
When generally defined, a valid Gambian passport is
an internationally recognized Travel Document attesting
to the Identity and Nationality of the bearer.
Types of Passports:
Diplomatic
Passport (Colour: Red): - This category is issued by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and printed by the Gambia
Immigration Department. Diplomatic Passports are issued
to prominent government official.
Service
Passport (Colour: Navy Blue):- Is also issued by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to government officials
under the services of the Gambia Government.
Ordinary Passport (Colour: Green):- Is issued to the
general citizenry who do not fall in either categories
mentioned above.
Validity of The Gambian Passport:
All Gambian passports are valid for a period five years
from the date of issue as indicated on the Bio-Data
Page of the passport. However, Diplomatic and Service
passports cease to be valid if the person in whose respect
the passport was issued is no longer employed in the
services of the Gambia Government.
Applying For Gambian Passport:
Passport Requirements
applicant must be a
Gambian citizen
applicant must fill out the
passport application form
applicant must
attach two recent passport size photos
applicant
must attach necessary supporting documents
applicant must provide his/her contact number(s)
applicant's form must be countersigned by a Justice
of Peace (JP)
Important:
Not less than seven days notice will be given for each
application. The issuing of a passport cannot be guaranteed
in less than this period. Exceptions will be made in
respect of urgent genuine cases. This note does not
apply in the case of applications made by persons outside
the Gambia in which case the application processing
may take considerably longer.
Fee:
The Fee for a Gambia Green Ordinary Passport (Machine
Readable Passport) is One Thousand Dalasis (D 1000.00)
payable upon demand. The fee is non refundable.
Warning:
Each section of the
form must be completely filled out.
No two
people can share the same passport or details. On the
other hand, it is an offence to hold two valid Gambian
passports.
Failure to furnish the required
information in every respect may result in the issue
of passport delayed.
Authentication of Application:
Question 15 of the completed application form must be
endorsed by one of the following; a Cabinet Minister,
Member of House of Representatives, Justice of the Peace,
Medical or Legal Practitioner, Head Chief, City or Area
Councillor, Commissioner of Oaths, Notary Public and
Civil Servant of Categories VI and above who has been
personally acquainted with applicant for at least two
years.
Documents to be produced:
(I) If applicant is a Gambian citizen by birth or descent
:
(a) Birth Certificate and additional supporting document
must be attached
(b) Old Passport required in all cases of Renewal and
replacements.
In cases where the applicant is unable to produce his/her
Birth Certificate a certificate signed by the Alkalo
or the Seyfo of the District in which the applicant
was born proving Gambian birth must be produced. Applicant
must attach parents documents.
(II) If applicant has obtained Gambian Citizenship by
Marriage
(a) Marriage certificate and
(b) Certificate of Citizenship by Marriage must be attached.
(III) If applicant has obtained Gambian Citizenship
by Naturalization or Registration .
(a) Naturalization or Registration Document must be
attached to all applications
(IV) If applicant is under 16 years of age:
(a) Birth Certificate (see note 1) above or Documentary
proof from
Alkalo or Seyfo, additional Parents Supporting Document
must be attached.
(b) Application form must indicate Legal Guardians
consent indicating relationship with applicant on question
16 of the passport application form.
Photographs:
Two identical copies of recent passport size photographs
of applicant must be attached to the application form.
Bond:
The issuance of a passport will be conditional upon
a bond being entered into with the Gambia Government
on the passport application form, in some cases, at
the absolute discretion of the Passport Control Officer.
The purpose of the Bond is to identify Government against
the risk of incurring maintenance and repatriation charges
in the event of the passport holder becoming destitute
outside the Gambia. The Bond may only be entered into
by prominent resident of the Gambia who is willing and
in the opinion of the passport Control officer able
to honour his/her obligation. Applicants outside the
Gambia should enter the names of such persons to prevent
delay even though a Bond may not be required in their
case.
Registration At Embassies/Consulates Abroad:
Gambian citizens resident abroad should at the earliest
convenience register their names and addresses at the
nearest Gambia consulate, office of the Gambia High
Commission, or where there is no Gambian representative,
with the nearest United Kingdom Representative. Changes
of address or departure from the country should also
be notified.
Failure to register with the Gambia Consulate, high
commission or representative may in a period of emergency
result in difficulty or delay in according assistance
and protection.
NB: the passport remains the property of the government
of the republic of the Gambia and may be withdrawn at
any time.
It is a valuable document and should not be altered
in any way or allowed to pass into the possession of
any unauthorized person, no stamps, statements, notations
or other admissions should be placed or made in this
passport except authorized. If passport is lost or destroy,
the facts and circumstances should be reported at once
to the passport office in Banjul or to the nearest Gambia
consulate or other representative and to the local Police.
New passports can only be issued in such cases after
exhaustive enquiries.
The following will fall under the frequently asked questions
on the GID Website
How Can I Replace My Passport:
If a passport is lost, stolen, or misplaced
Applicant must complete a new passport application
form
Applicant must attach an Affidavit of
lost passport and Police Report
Applicant
must attach supporting documents
If passport has expired:
Applicant must complete
a new passport application form
Applicant
must attach expired passport. In instances where there
is a valid visa in the expired passport, a photocopy
of the passport Bio-Data page must be attached
If applicant wishes to change details or photo:
Applicants new details must be clearly spelled
out on a new passport application form
New
photos must be attached where applicant wishes to change
photo
Applicants present passport must be
attached on the application form and surrendered to
the Immigration Department
Applicant must
attach proof matching new details and present original
copy where necessary
NB: Application for new passports replacement or renewal
is only processed if fees are paid and receipts attached.
Application forms must be counter signed by a Justice
of the Peace and authenticated by any one of the persons
indicated in section 15 of the passport application
form.
Source: Gambia Immigration Department
(2012)
NB: Fees may have increased since 2012. Enquire with
the GID
in Banjul. |
