31 October 2024

Zimbabwe is planning to establish three e-passport centres in Zambia, the UK and the US, following a trial of an e-passport office at the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Centres will be equipped with the latest technology to ensure that passports are processed quickly and securely. Registrar-general Henry Machiri said that the e-passport offices will provide convenience to Zimbabweans living outside the country.

“We are committed to ensuring that our diaspora community has access to essential documents without undue hardship,” said Machiri.

The Johannesburg e-passport office has witnessed success since its inception, with around 7000 e-passports distributed to applicants.

“The e-passport office in the Johannesburg consulate in South Africa began processing e-passports on 18 June 2024. As of 20 September 2024, a total of 6, 967 e-passports had been issued,” said Machiri.

The Civil Registry Department intends to expand the e-passport service to the Zimbabwe Consulate Cape Town. Before the end of the year, the e-passport centres will be supplemented by an online platform for passport and national identity card applications via the Zimbabwe Population Registry System.