Applying for a passport or identity card if you live in Somalia
If you want to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card and you live in Somalia, follow this step-by-step plan.
Step 1: Create your personal checklist
Creating a personal checklist will show you what documents you need in order to apply for a passport or ID card. Create a separate checklist for each application. This means one for you and one for your child, for instance.
When you have created your checklist, go to step 2.
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Step 2: Check the additional requirements
Your personal checklist (see step 1) will show you that you also need documents from Somalia in order to apply for a Dutch passport or ID card. You can also see whether your documents need to be legalised and translated.
You must prove that you are legally resident in Somalia. You can do this by providing one of the following documents:
- a valid visa and supporting documents
- a valid residence permit
- a valid passport or ID card issued by your country of residence.
If you are applying for a Dutch passport or ID card for your child for the first time, use their birth certificate as proof of legal residence.
If you have a birth certificate or marriage certificate from Somalia, you must have it legalised. Find out more about having documents from Somalia legalised.
If you have documents from another country, find out if you need to have them legalised.
You can submit documents written in Dutch, English, German or French. If you have documents in another language, you should have them translated by a sworn translator.
Step 3: Make an appointment
Once you know which documents you need, you can make an appointment in the Netherlands or with the Dutch embassy in Kenya. Make a separate appointment for every application you wish to submit.
It is not possible to make an appointment in Somalia. Instead, you can make an appointment with a Dutch embassy or consulate-general in another country, such as Kenya.
Make an appointment online with the embassy in Nairobi
Changing or cancelling your appointment
After making an appointment it will be confirmed by email. The email will contain a link you can use to change or cancel your appointment.
You can also submit your passport or ID card application at a border municipality in the Netherlands or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. If you wish to do this, you can skip steps 4 and 5
Step 4: Go to your appointment
You must submit your passport or ID card application in person. Even applicants under 18 must appear in person.
Bring all the documents on your personal checklist. For every document the checklist will show you whether you need to provide the original and/or a photocopy.
If you needed to have documents legalised and/or translated, bring the legalised and translated versions with you as well.
The overview of consular fees in Kenya tells you how much you will have to pay for a passport or ID card and which payment methods are accepted.
Applying for a passport or ID card at a Dutch border municipality or at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will cost you less.
No. If you need your current passport or ID card while your application is being processed, you can retain it for the time being.
When do I have to hand in my old passport or ID card?
If you are collecting your new passport or ID card in person, you should hand in your old one when you come to collect it.
If you are having your passport or ID card sent to you, you will need to first send your old one to the embassy or consulate-general. Only then will your new passport or ID card be sent to you. This means that there will be a period when you have no passport or ID card. If you want your old passport or ID card back, inform the embassy or consulate-general.
I have a residence permit or visa in my old passport, what should I do?
If your passport contains visas or a residence permit and you want to keep those pages intact, inform staff of this when you submit your old passport.
After you submit your application you will receive a track & trace code to track the status of your application. You will receive an email when your new passport or ID card is ready.
Step 5: Collect your passport or ID card or have it sent to you
It usually takes 4 weeks until your passport or ID card is ready. You will be contacted if there are documents missing from your application. In this case, it will take longer than 4 weeks until your passport or ID card is ready.
If you are submitting a passport application on behalf of a minor of Dutch-Somali origin, the waiting time may be longer. You will be informed how long the application will take.
You must collect your new passport or ID card within three months; after three months it will be destroyed.
You can collect your new passport or ID card from the embassy in Nairobi on the following days:
- Monday: 09:00 - 10:45 and 14:30 - 15:30
- Tuesday: 08:30 - 10:45 and 14:30 - 15:30
- Wednesday: 08:30 - 10:45 and 14:30 - 15:30
- Thursday: 08:30 - 10:45 and 14:30 - 15:30
You do not need to make an appointment but first check which days our offices are closed.
You cannot have your new passport or ID card sent to you. You can collect your new passport or ID card from the embassy in Nairobi.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.