Suggestions

Zimbabwe increases passport fees

February 19, 2020
Report Focus News
A man puts an expired passport in his pocket while waiting in a queue to submit an application for a new passport at the main office in Harare, Friday, June 14, 2019. With Zimbabwe’s economy in shambles and political tensions rising, leaving the country seems the best option for many who are desperate for jobs. But those dreams often end at the passport office, which doesn’t have enough foreign currency to import proper paper and ink. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
by

Harare-In a bid to clear passport backlog the Zimbabwe Government has increased passport fees with immediate effect

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the decision during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday.

The new prices will see an ordinary passport costing ZWL$150 from ZWL$53 while the emergency passport fees were increased from ZWL$253 to ZWL$600.

Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe said the increase is meant to clear the current backlog which stands at 400 000 passports and that the charges were not sufficient.

“The new charges are not enough, but access to identity and travelling documents is a human right. We are not here to try and make a profit out of the crisis, it will take long to clear as government we need up to 16 weeks to acquire needed materials and clear the backlog,” Kazembe said

Zimbabweans are applying for the travel document as they try to run away from the harsh economic crisis currently prevailing in the country.