NEWS
Kenya launches digital biometrics program
20 Jul 18
KENYA
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Kenya’s Department of Immigration Services is piloting a digital biometrics program for foreign nationals completing foreign registration in Kenya.
What does the change mean? Those selected for the digital biometrics collection will have their photographs and fingerprints taken. The biometric information will then be uploaded to a National Registration Bureau database and the system will generate a receipt (waiting card) that can be used to confirm registration and obtain the required foreigner certificate.
- Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
- Visas/permits affected: Foreigner registration
- Who is affected: Foreign nationals who are at least 18 years old and have obtained a work permit or pass to remain in Kenya.
- Impact on processing times: Officials expect that the digital collection of biometrics eventually will significantly reduce wait times for obtaining a foreigner certificate.
Background: The Biometric Foreigner Registration Process, as the pilot program is called, is a first step in Kenya’s effort to fully digitize biometrics collection in the foreign registration process. Those selected for the BFR process will have their biometrics collected as described above, while others will continue to submit biometrics manually. Officials aim to use the BFR process to begin building a database of foreigners in Kenya as required by law, and they hope it will eventually reduce the wait times significantly.
Those selected for the pilot will still be required to have the same documents as those completing registration manually, including a completed and signed electronic Foreign Nationals Services form and receipt for payment.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals completing registration processes should anticipate that they may be selected for the digital biometrics program.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and Iseme Kamau & Maema Advocates in Kenya. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
Related News
-
Old generation of passports to be phased out
KENYA 5 Oct 22
-
Immigration documents now required to be uploaded online
KENYA 4 Dec 20
-
COVID-19: Amnesty lifted for foreign nationals that stayed...
KENYA 30 Sep 20
-
COVID-19: International flights resume, with updated entry restrictions
KENYA 7 Aug 20
-
COVID-19: International flights suspended, quarantine, curfew measures implemented
KENYA 26 Mar 20
-
Travel restrictions imposed, immigration services limited
KENYA 19 Mar 20
-
COVID-19 update: Ghana, Kenya, Niger and South Africa
12 Mar 20
-
Immigration update: Work permit applications, enforcement of special...
KENYA 8 Jul 19
-
New e-passport causing long processing times
KENYA 15 Feb 19
-
South Africa, Kenya reach agreement on 10-year visas
KENYA, SOUTH AFRICA 3 Dec 18
-
Special pass restrictions affecting filing strategy, work start...
KENYA 28 Nov 18
-
Kenyans may now renew passports abroad
KENYA 21 Nov 18
-
Increased enforcement reminds employers to ensure compliance with...
KENYA 20 Nov 18
-
Authorities stop issuing special passes, work permits in-country
KENYA 4 Sep 18
-
Work permit process changes coming following verification drive
KENYA 9 Aug 18
-
Work-permit verification process: what workers should expect
KENYA 29 May 18
-
Kenya launches work permit verification drive
KENYA 21 May 18
-
Business visas eased for nationals of Cameroon, Mali,...
KENYA 4 May 18
-
As major changes loom, employers should plan for...
KENYA 23 Apr 18
-
Mozambique and Kenya agreed to remove visas
KENYA, MOZAMBIQUE 3 Apr 18
-
Alien Card issuance delayed by broken printer
KENYA 12 Feb 18
-
African nationals to be visa-waived, EAC nationals to...
KENYA 29 Nov 17
-
Immigration delays anticipated as Kenya braces for second...
KENYA 24 Oct 17
-
Authorities suspend new police clearance requirements
KENYA 5 Oct 17
-
Police clearance certificate to be required for all...
KENYA 28 Sep 17
-
Immigration delays anticipated as Kenya prepares for second...
KENYA 6 Sep 17
-
Visa policy eased for nationals of Cameroon, Mali,...
KENYA 25 Aug 17
-
Immigration delays likely in post-election period
KENYA 14 Aug 17
-
Delays, heightened compliance activity possible as Kenya enters...
KENYA 15 May 17
-
Kenya moves to ease citizenship requirements for stateless...
KENYA 10 Feb 17
-
Government mandates online payment of immigration fees
KENYA 12 Apr 16
-
Mandatory online application system set to launch
KENYA 29 Feb 16
-
Foreigners required to register before endorsement of work...
KENYA 12 Aug 15
-
Obama announces new US-Kenya visa policy
KENYA, UNITED STATES 31 Jul 15
-
Visa applicants must apply online
KENYA 24 Jun 15
-
Three countries approve visa-free region for foreign residents
KENYA, RWANDA, UGANDA 6 Mar 15
-
Foreign employees cannot enter Kenya until work authorization...
KENYA 20 Jan 15
-
Kenya tightens work permit document requirements, Kenyan understudy...
KENYA 7 Nov 14
-
Six-month limit on Visitor’s Passes now strictly enforced
KENYA 4 Nov 14
-
Work permits delayed by internal wrangling
KENYA 13 Oct 14
-
Security concerns prompt ‘further vetting’ of all immigration...
KENYA 20 Jun 14
-
Special desk at Interior Ministry helps foreign tech...
KENYA 13 May 14
-
New work passes available for researchers, interns
KENYA 21 Mar 14
-
Businesses should plan for stricter Kenyanization of work...
KENYA 21 Mar 14
-
Immigration sting operations ensnare foreign business visitors
KENYA 19 Feb 14
-
All Work Permit Applications Getting Extra Scrutiny
KENYA 21 Nov 13
-
Trend Watch: Rise of the Regional Unified Visa
GLOBAL 19 Sep 13
-
Processing of Class D Visas Resumes on a...
KENYA 19 Aug 13
-
Processing Remains Suspended for Most Work Permit, Permanent...
KENYA 7 Aug 13
-
International Flights at Nairobi Airport Affected by Fire
KENYA 7 Aug 13
-
Temporary Suspension of Processing During Immigration Department Reorganization
KENYA 25 Jul 13
-
Staff and Process Changes Cause Delays
KENYA 1 Jul 13