Biometric passport a year old but troubles persist
The biometric passport was introduced in Cameroon on July 1 2021 after an agreement between the Cameroon government and Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda-Augentic consortium signed in September 2020. One year after its introduction, authorities say 243.565 have been produced in Cameroon and 39.227 sent to diplomatic representations.
The switch from ordinary passports worth F CFA 75.000 to a biometric passport worth F CFA110.000 is to meet the growing demand for passports within a reasonable time frame. Since July 2021, the production of the document moved from 3 months to 48hours after completing a four stage procedure.
A change which has met several criticisms from the population with complaints of what some people consider as extortion from some members of the Police force. “I went to the emi-immigration center in Buea which was the day for my physical appointment for the collection of finger prints and photos. Due to a little error when filling the pre-registration form online, I was asked by the emigration officer to pay F CFA 50.000 for the error to be corrected or I start the process all over” an inhanbitant of Buea complains. Adding to this, delays in getting an appointment after pre-enrollment and receiving their document upon completion in regions other than the centre are observed. “You register online and wait for a month or two to get an appointment. When you get to the emigration office, the line is unending, the officers are rude at times and in the end, you still have to wait for months before getting your passport.” Another person living in Douala complains.
Cameroonians must do a pre-enrollment via the www.passcam.cm portal, deposit F CFA 110.000 via electronic payment, before completing the enrollment at all emi-immigration stations in Cameroon and 45 diplomatic missions of Cameroon abroad.
The new biometric passport complies with requirements of the international civil aviation organisation.
