How to Apply for an Emergency Travel Document
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An Emergency Travel Document (ETD), also known as an Emergency Certificate, allows Kenyan citizens to return home when they do not have a valid passport due to loss, theft, expiry, or damage.
The Directorate of Immigration Services, together with Kenyan embassies, high commissions, and consulates abroad, issues this document in urgent situations.
Importantly, the ETD does not replace a passport. Instead, it serves as a temporary solution for one-way travel back to Kenya. After arrival, holders must apply for a new passport.
To begin with, applicants must meet these specific citizenship and urgency requirements:
- Be a Kenyan citizen by birth, registration, or naturalisation
- Possess a valid national identification document or birth certificate
- Provide proof of urgency, such as a police report, medical documentation, or an official travel-related request
Also Read: Explainer: How to Replace a Lost Passport in Kenya
Requirements for Application of ETD
To support the application, individuals must provide documents that confirm their identity, citizenship, and emergency.
Immigration officers rely on these documents to assess each case before issuing the ETD. Applicants must submit the following:
- A duly completed and signed application form (Form 19)
- Proof of Kenyan citizenship (National ID, birth certificate, or previous passport)
- Evidence of passport status (expired, damaged, or a police abstract if lost or stolen)
- Two recent passport-size photographs with a white background
- A signed application letter explaining the emergency and travel plans
- Proof of travel, such as a confirmed air ticket or itinerary
Application Process
First, applicants access the process through the government’s digital platform, the eCitizen Portal.
Here, they register or log in, fill in the required details, and make the necessary payments.
Next, they print the application forms and payment receipts. They then submit the documents in person at the nearest immigration office, embassy, or consulate.
During submission, officers verify original documents and may conduct a brief interview to confirm identity and urgency.
Processing Fees
The Emergency Travel Document attracts a small processing fee, which varies depending on the Kenyan embassy or mission issuing it.
Typically, applicants pay between Ksh 1,000 and Ksh 3,500 or the equivalent in foreign currency, depending on location and administrative charges.
Also Read: How to Renew an Expired Kenyan Passport via eCitizen: Full Guide, Fees and Requirements
Processing and Collection
Once applicants submit all required documents and the required fees, immigration officers begin processing the request.
The officers send SMS or email to applicants once the document is ready to be collected.
In most cases, the process takes between 24 to 72 hours, depending on urgency and completeness.
After approval, officials issue the Emergency Travel Document for immediate use. However, the document only allows one-way travel to Kenya and does not support return or onward journeys.
Upon arrival in Kenya, all holders must apply for a new passport through the appropriate immigration channels.
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A photo collage of PS Belio Kipsang of State Department for Immigration and Citizen services at previous event and Kenyan passports. PHOTO/ Kipsang X/ Immigration Services Kenya X
