* The following information is from the GID
- 2011.
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.
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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
*Last updated 5th November 2011.
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