The new procedure – PASSCAM: How to apply for a biometric passport in Cameroon 2024. Step-by-step guide on how you can apply for a passport online in Cameroon.
The new procedure for applying for a Cameroonian biometric passport explained on June 8, 2021, by the Cameroonian authorities will include the use of digital and mobile payment from July 1, 2021.
This procedure must be followed when applying for a new passport, renewal or in cases of a lost passport.
Several Cameroonian Internet users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the increase in the price of passports. Indeed, the cost of making or obtaining a passport in Cameroon goes from 75,000 FCFA to 110,000 FCFA, according to the General Delegation for National Security ( DGSN ).
But the explanations that followed this announcement are just as unprecedented in this country, where obtaining identity papers is an obstacle.
How long does it take to process a passport in Cameroon?
It only takes forty-eight hours (48 hours) or two days to establish a biometric passport valid in Cameroon. This in itself can be considered an express passport.
How to apply for a biometric passport in Cameroon 2024
Now in Cameroon, applications for the issuance or renewal of biometric passports are made in 3 main steps. Namely:
- Online pre-registration
- Physical enrollment
- The collection of the passport produced
1. Online pre-registration
It is done only on the website of the General Delegation for National Security (GDNS). You can access it directly by clicking on one of the following links: https://www.dgsn.cm or https://www.passcam.cm.
And concerning the payment, you will have to pay the sum of 110,000 FCFA during the online pre-registration process via MoMo or Orange Money. Also, it is only at this stage that you will choose a date for your appointment for the physical enrollment process.
An appointment made can only be changed ONCE. Therefore, make sure you are fully available for the day and time you choose.
2. Physical enrollment
It is done at the High Commission on the day of your appointment. You will need to bring the information sheet that will be generated at the end of your pre-enrollment procedure as well as the other official documents that are required for the composition of your file (Click on the following link to consult the list of documents required for the passport application file).
Please note that the original and the photocopy of your consular card are part of your passport renewal application. If you do not have a consular card, please click on this link to apply for one. The completed form should be printed and included with your application along with a 12 Canadian dollar fee and a half card photo measuring 4 cm x 4 cm.
3. The collection of the passport produced.
Although the physical enrolment is done in Ottawa, passports are produced in Cameroon by the DGSN. The new system in effect allows for the production of a passport whose file has been validated by the GDNS within 48 hours.
After this step, your new passport will be returned to the High Commission which will forward it to your postal address using the return envelope that you will have left on the day of your appointment.
[tds_warning]Important: The process for the renewal of a biometric passport is the same as for the establishment of a new passport. The only difference is that you MUST attach to your passport application a Certificate of Loss of the old passport issued by the Police of the place where the event occurred. This is the physical report of the circumstances of the loss of your passport and NOT the document bearing only the file number.[/tds_warning]Required documents needed to apply for a new biometric passport
1. First request
1.1 Citizen residing in Cameroon
A minor applicant under the age of 15
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- Proof of the child’s profession, if applicable;
- Parental authorization from one of the parents, from the legal guardian or from a holder of a duly legalized power of attorney;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI of one of the parents, of the legal guardian or of the holder of a power of attorney who can act in place of the
- parents.
Minor applicants aged 15 to 21:
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI;
- Proof of the child’s profession, if applicable;
- Parental authorization from one of the parents or the legal guardian or the holder of a duly legalized power of attorney;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI of one of the parents, of the equal guardian or of the holder of a power of attorney to act in place of the parents or legal guardian.
Case of a married minor:
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of his birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of its CNI;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of his marriage certificate.
Minor applicant emancipated following a court decision:
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI;
- Proof of the child’s profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI of one of the parents, of the legal guardian or of the holder of a power of attorney to act in place of the parents or legal guardian.
- A copy of the court decision.
Applicants over 21:
- The receipt printed during the pre-enrollment phase
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the National Identity Card;
- Proof of the profession or any socio-professional occupation, if applicable.
The files for an ordinary passport application in Cameroon for married women over 21:
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate;
Applicant aged 50 and over:
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- Certified photocopy of the marriage certificate for any married woman.
- Proof of profession if applicable.
1.2 The files for an ordinary passport application in Cameroon for Citizens residing abroad
The minor applicants under the age of 15
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of his national identity card, if applicable, of his residence or residence travel card;
- Proof of the child’s profession, if applicable;
- Parental authorization from one of the parents or legal guardian or holder of a duly legalized power of attorney.
Minor applicants aged 15 to 21
- The receipt printed during the pre-enrollment phase
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of his national identity card, if applicable, of his travel, stay or residence card;
- Proof of the child’s profession, if applicable;
- Parental authorization from one of the parents or the legal guardian or
- holder of a duly legalized power of attorney;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI of one of the parents or of his passport if his CNI has expired or of the legal guardian or any holder of a power of attorney who must act in place of a parent.
Emancipated minor applicants
- The receipt printed during the pre-enrollment phase
- A certified photocopy of his national identity card, if applicable, of his residence or residence travel card;
- Proof of their social status;
- A photocopy of the marriage certificate or the legal act of emancipation.
For Applicants over 21 years old
- The receipt printed during the pre-enrollment phase
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI, if applicable, of his residence or residence travel card;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A photocopy of the residence or residence permit, or any other document in lieu.
Married women over 21
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- A certified photocopy of the CNI, if applicable of the consular card;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate for the married woman;
- A photocopy of the residence or residence permit, or any other document in lieu.
2. Renewal of ordinary passport depending on the case in Cameroon
Deterioration, Expiration, Full passport
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- The previous passport;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable;
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- Certified photocopy of the birth certificate for applicants under the age of 50
In case of Loss, Theft
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- A photocopy of the previous passport;
- The certificate of declaration of loss or theft, including the number of the stolen or lost passport;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable;
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- Certified photocopy of the birth certificate for applicants under the age of 50.
Change of parentage
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- The previous passport;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable;
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- Certified photocopy of the birth certificate for applicants under the age of 50
Name change
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- The previous passport;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- Proof of name change;
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable;
Correction
- The receipt was printed during the pre-enrollment phase;
- The previous passport;
- A certified photocopy of the birth certificate;
- Proof of the profession, if applicable;
- Corrective documents
- Certified photocopy of the CNI.
- A certified photocopy of the marriage certificate, if applicable;