* 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)
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Ministries
Immigration Department
