/ 3 December 2007

Zimbabweans to pay more for passports

Passport fees in Zimbabwe have been increased, Zimbabwe’s government mouthpiece Herald newspaper reported on Monday.

The fees were last reviewed in May this year.

According to a notice at the registrar-general’s office in Harare, an ordinary passport for an adult now costs Z$5-million, up from Z$150 000, the report said.

An ordinary passport for a child under the age of 12 now costs Z$2,5-million, up from Z$75 000.

An adult executive passport processed within 24 hours now costs Z$20-million and Z$10-million for a child under the age of 12, up from Z$1-million and Z$500 000 respectively, the paper said.

The registrar-general’s office revised the cost of an adult passport processed within three days from Z$600 000 to Z$16-million with a child less than 12 years now paying Z$8-million, up from Z$300 000.

An adult passport issued within seven working days now costs Z$14-million, up from ZS500 000.

A child under the age of 12 will now be required to pay Z$7-million from Z$250 000 to get a passport within seven days.

Processing of an adult passport within 14 working days now costs Z$10-million, up from Z$400 000, and Z$5-million for a child less than 12 years, up from Z$200 000.

The fee for an emergency passport after working hours has been adjusted from Z$1,5-million to Z$25-million.

For lost and defaced passports, the penalty fee has been raised from Z$500 000 to Z$8-million.

Those wishing to add another name on their travel documents, be it a child or spouse, will pay Z$2,5-million, the Herald said.

Failure to declare a lost passport now attracts a Z$12-million fine while a passport application form now costs Z$1-million.

Although registrar-general Tobaiwa Mudede could not be reached for comment, previous increases in passport fees have been attributed to production costs as the paper used in making passports is imported. – Sapa