Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
1. Gambian Passports
According to information from 2012 from the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) published on the Gambia information website Access Gambia, the green "[o]rdinary" passport is issued to citizens, the red diplomatic passport is issued to "prominent government official[s]," and the blue service passport is issued to "government officials under the services of the Gambia [g]overnment" (Access Gambia n.d.).
In a December 2017 information report on Gambia, the EU's European Asylum Support Office (EASO) states that, according to Access Gambia, there are currently two types of passports in circulation in Gambia: a machine-readable passport without a chip or electronic data, and a biometric Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) passport with electronically stored data (EU Dec. 2017, 54).
1.1 Background
According to sources, the machine-readable passport has been available since 1 January 2002 (EU n.d.; Keesing Technologies n.d.a).
Media sources report that the Gambian Ministry of Interior launched a new biometric passport on 22 September 2014 (The Daily Observer 10 Dec. 2015; The Point 23 Sept. 2014). According to a Ministry of Interior press release sent in December 2015 to The Daily Observer, an Englishlanguage newspaper based in Banjul, this was the ECOWAS biometric passport CEDEAO (The Daily Observer 10 Dec. 2015). An article in the Gambian daily newspaper the Point states, based on a GID press release, that Gambians did not have to change their passport immediately in September 2014; it would remain valid until its expiry date (The Point 23 Sept. 2014). The Daily Observer indicates, however, that the biometric passport would completely replace the machine-readable passport, which would no longer be accepted at Banjul International Airport as of January 2016, and that as of that date, it would only be issued to Gambians living abroad (The Daily Observer 10 Dec. 2015). A September 2015 note published on the website of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the Netherlands similarly indicates that Gambians living abroad were still able to obtain a machine-readable passport following the launch of the biometric passport, but that it was not known "how long this possibility will continue to exist" (Gambia [Sept. 2015]).
Sources report that the production of Gambian passports was suspended in 2017 (Jollof News 18 Apr. 2018; The Standard 26 Apr. 2017) to allow the government to review its process for issuing documents (Jollof News 18 Apr. 2018). Based on Gambian media sources, EASO reports that the Gambian government announced in April 2017 that it would start issuing machine-readable passports again (EU Dec. 2017, 55). According to sources, the government also resumed issuing biometric passports (Jollof News 18 Apr. 2018; The Point 10 July 2017) in July 2017 (The Point 10 July 2017).
1.2 Machine-Readable Passport
According to GID information posted on Access Gambia, the ordinary passport is green (Access Gambia n.d.). Sources indicate that it is valid for five years (Access Gambia n.d.; US n.d.; Keesing Technologies n.d.a). Sources give a detailed description of the machine-readable passport (EU n.d.; US n.d.; Keesing Technologies n.d.a). A copy of the passport description, including a sample, from the Council of the EU's Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO) is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).
1.3 ECOWAS Biometric Passport
According to the Keesing Technologies Documentchecker, the ECOWAS biometric passport is also green; it is valid for five years and has an electronic chip that meets the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (Keesing Technologies n.d.b). A copy of the detailed description of the ECOWAS biometric passport for Gambia, including a sample, provided by the Keesing Documentchecker is attached to this Response (Attachment 2).
2. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain, Renew or Replace a Passport
Sources indicate that the GID is responsible for issuing ordinary passports (Access Gambia n.d.; US n.d.).
A September 2015 post on the website of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the Netherlands indicates that the validity of a passport cannot be extended and that when a passport expires, it is necessary to apply for a new one (Gambia [Sept. 2015]). The website of the Gambian embassy in the US similarly states that the embassy does not extend passports, "as per directives from Banjul" (Gambia 13 Aug. 2019). However, according to Gambian consular sources consulted by EASO, as of December 2017, "Gambian representations in Europe still extend machine readable passports for a short period (usually up to one year)" (EU Dec. 2017, 55).
2.1 Machine-Readable Passport
The information in the following paragraphs comes from 2012 GID instructions published on Access Gambia:
To apply for a Gambian passport, the applicant must be a Gambian citizen and must fill out a passport application form (which must be countersigned by a justice of the peace), attach two recent passport-style photographs, provide a contact number, pay a fee of 1,000 dalasis [approximately C$26], and attach the necessary supporting documents.
For a passport renewal or replacement, applicants who are Gambian citizens by birth or descent must provide their birth certificate (and, if applicable, additional supporting documents) and their old passport. Applicants who do not have a birth certificate must provide a certificate signed by the alkalo [village chief] or seyfo [district chief] in the place where the applicant was born to prove they were born in Gambia, as well as their "parents' documents." Applicants who acquired Gambian citizenship by marriage must produce their marriage certificate and certificate of citizenship by marriage. Applicants who acquired Gambian citizenship by naturalization or registration must produce their naturalization or registration document. Applicants who are under 16 years of age must provide their birth certificate (or documentary proof from the alkalo or seyfo) and their "[p]arent's [s]upporting [d]ocument." Their passport application form must indicate the consent of their legal guardian and the legal guardian's relationship to the applicant. A note titled "Authentication of Application" indicates the following:
Question 15 of the completed application form must be endorsed by one of the following; a Cabinet Minister, Member of [the] House of Representatives, Justice of the Peace, Medical or Legal Practitioner, Head Chief, City or Area Councillor, Commissioner of Oaths, Notary Public [or] Civil Servant of Categories VI and above who has been personally acquainted with applicant for at least two years.
To replace a lost, stolen or misplaced passport, the applicant must complete a new passport application and attach an affidavit of loss of passport, a police report and supporting documents. To replace an expired passport, the applicant must complete a new passport application and attach the expired passport. To change the information or photograph on the passport, the applicant must fill out a new passport application, indicating the information to be changed (and provide original supporting documentation where necessary) and/or attaching new photographs. The applicant must also include their current passport to be provided to the GID. In all cases, the fees must be paid, and the receipts must be attached to the application. An application form to replace or renew a passport must be countersigned and authenticated, like all other applications (Access Gambia n.d.).
2.1.1 From Abroad
Information from the GID published on Access Gambia indicates, without providing further details, that, as of 2012, applications for a machine-readable passport could be "made by persons outside the Gambia" (Access Gambia n.d.). According to a September 2015 post on the website of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the Netherlands, Gambians living abroad who wanted a machine-readable passport after the launch of the biometric passport could "ask a relative [in Gambia] to apply … for a new Gambian 'old type' (green) passport" on their behalf (Gambia [Sept. 2015]).
According to a Ministry of Interior press release published on the news website Freedom Newspaper on 24 April 2017 announcing that the suspension on the issuance of Gambian machine-readable passports had been lifted, Gambians living abroad who want to replace a lost or expired passport must appear in person at the nearest Gambian embassy or consulate with supporting documents, in other words, "[o]ld documents that show [the] correct name, date and place of birth, picture and signature of [the] applicant" (Freedom Newspaper 24 Apr. 2017). The same source adds that applicants in a country where there is no Gambian consulate or embassy must provide a "[n]otarized [a]ffidavit of proof of [c]itizenship submitted on behalf of the applicant," an "[i]dentity declaration" completed by a member of the National Assembly representing the applicant's constituency, a photograph signed by the member of the National Assembly, and, if available, the original and photocopy of the first and last page of the expired passport or any other government-issued document(Freedom Newspaper 24 Apr. 2017).
2.2 ECOWAS Biometric Passport
The information in the following paragraphs comes from an article in the Point newspaper citing a GID press release announcing the launch of the Gambian biometric passport on 22 September 2014:
The fee for the biometric passport is 3,000 dalasis and can be paid at any branch of Ecobank [bank found in 36 countries in West, Central and East Africa] in the country. To obtain a biometric passport, applicants must obtain an application form, at a cost of 60 dalasis, from an Ecobank branch. The following documents must be presented: the passport payment receipt, the national biometric identity card, the biometric voter's card, and a copy of the applicant's birth certificate or certificate signed by the alkalo or seyfo. For a passport renewal or replacement, applicants must also present their old passport.
Applicants under 18 years of age must present their birth certificate or a certificate signed by the alkalo or seyfo, as well as their parents' supporting documents (i.e., their biometric identity cards). Gambians by marriage must present their certificate of citizenship by marriage, and Gambians by naturalization must present their naturalization or registration document. The GID may also request "'additional information'" if it is deemed necessary (The Point 23 Sept. 2014).
Sources report that applications for a biometric passport must be submitted in person in Gambia (Gambia [Sept. 2015]) at the GID enrolment office in Banjul (The Point 23 Sept. 2014). Sources note that an applicant must appear in person to apply for a biometric passport (Freedom Newspaper 24 Apr. 2017; The Point 23 Sept. 2014). According to EASO, based in part on consultation with Gambian consular sources, the purpose is "to capture their [b]io data and their photograph" (EU Dec. 2017, 55).
2.2.1 From Abroad
The GID press release sent to the newspaper the Point in September 2014 states that Gambians abroad would eventually be able to access centres in Belgium, the US, the UK and Nigeria to obtain a biometric passport (The Point 23 Sept. 2014). EASO stated in 2017, however, that these centres were not yet operational (EU Dec. 2017, 55). In its instructions on how to apply for a passport, the website of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the Netherlands stated in September 2015 that it was not yet possible to apply for a biometric passport at the Gambian embassy in Brussels because it did not have the necessary equipment to produce them (Gambia [Sept. 2015]). The same source also states that applicants must travel to Gambia to obtain one in person, and if the applicant's passport is already expired, the Consulate General will issue an "[e]mergency [p]assport," tin other words, a "[l]aissez-passer," that the applicant can use to travel to Gambia to apply for a new biometric passport (Gambia [Sept. 2015]). The website of the Gambian embassy in the US similarly indicates that it cannot "extend" passports but that it can issue a travel document to Gambians in the US and Canada that they can use to travel to Gambia to apply for a passport (Gambia 13 Aug. 2019).
Information on whether the issuing authority noted in the passport changes based on where the passport application came from or where it was submitted could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Access Gambia. N.d. "Gambian Passports." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
The Daily Observer. 10 December 2015. "Gambians Urged to Apply for Biometric Passport." (Factiva) [Accessed 29 Jan. 2020]
European Union (EU). December 2017. European Asylum Support Office (EASO). EASO Country of Origin Information Report. The Gambia Country Focus. [Accessed 3 Feb. 2020]
European Union (EU). N.d. Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: GMB-AO-01001." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
Freedom Newspaper. 24 April 2017. "Gambia: Gambia Lifts Ban on the Issuance of Machine Readable Gambian Passports." [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020]
Gambia. 13 August 2019. Embassy of the Republic of the Gambia in Washington, DC. "Emergency Travel Document for Gambians." [Accessed 30 Jan. 2020]
Gambia. [September 2015]. Consulate General of the Republic of the Gambia in the Netherlands. "'Renewal Gambian Passports': Applying for a New Gambian Passport." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
Jollof News. 18 April 2018. "Gambia Resumes Passport Production." [Accessed 17 Jan. 2020]
Keesing Technologies. N.d.a. Keesing Documentchecker. "Gambia - GMB - National Passport - P3." [Accessed 5 Feb. 2020]
Keesing Technologies. N.d.b. Keesing Documentchecker. "Gambia - GMB - National Passport - P4." [Accessed 5 Feb. 2020]
The Point. 10 July 2017. "Interior Minister Clears Air on Passports, ID Cards." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
The Point. 23 September 2014. Abdoulie Nyockeh. "Gambian Passport Goes Biometric." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
The Standard. 26 April 2017. "Interior Resumes Passport Issuance." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
United States (US). N.d. Department of State. "The Gambia Reciprocity Schedule." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Gambia – embassy in France, embassy in the US, Gambia Immigration Department.
Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; Gambia – Gambia Biometric Identification System, Gambia Immigration Department; Passport Index; UN – Refworld.
Attachments
- European Union (EU). N.d. Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: GMB-AO-01-001." [Accessed 16 Jan. 2020]
- Keesing Technologies. N.d.b. Keesing Documentchecker. "Gambia - GMB - National Passport - P4." [Accessed 5 Feb. 2020]
