Germany says it will accept visa applications only by Kenyan applicants who are holders of the e-passport.
In a notice posted on its embassy’s website, the German government says the move follows the Schengen laws which demand passports must still be valid at least 90 days after the end of the validity of a given visa.
“Please note that according to the announcement of the Kenyan government, the old Kenyan passport will expire on September 1, 2019. Pursuant to current Schengen laws, passports must still be valid at least 90 days after the end of the validity of a given Visa, so for visa applications for travels ending after June, 1, 2019, from now on only new Kenyan passports can be accepted,” the Embassy said.
Germany is not the first Western power to say it will not issue visas to Kenyans with old passports.
The United States government had previously said last month that it will not do so.
The US Embassy in Nairobi said only those with e-passports will be considered for visas.
However, the US government later reversed its decision to disallow visa applications for Kenyans with old passports until further notice.
