Consular · Emergency certificate
Kenyan emergency travel certificate Going home without a valid passport.
An emergency certificate lets a Kenyan citizen without a valid Kenyan passport travel one way to Kenya. You apply by mail to the High Commission in Ottawa.
Last checked October 20, 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the linked page before you go or pay anything. Soma kwa Kiswahili.
1. What it is
- For one-way travel to Kenya only.
- For Kenyan citizens who don't have a valid Kenyan passport.
- The fee is CAD $20.
2. What to send
- Form 19, filled in (the same form as for a passport)
- Two passport photos, 2.5 × 2 inches
- Your original Kenyan passport
- Copies of your birth certificate and your Kenyan ID
- A copy of your flight itinerary (see the three-week rule above)
- A letter explaining why you need an emergency certificate
If someone is in serious trouble abroad and needs help urgently, the High Commission also has a Kenyans in Distress form and an emergency line, +1 613-406-2065. It does not give financial help.
Travelling because someone has died? See when someone dies far from home.
3. Fees, payment and return
- Mail to
- Kenya High Commission, 415 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6R4. Send it by courier.
- Fee
- CAD $20
- How to pay
- A money order, certified cheque or bank draft, payable to "Kenya High Commission". Bring or send the exact amount: fees aren't refunded.
- Return envelope
- Include a prepaid, self-addressed Canada Post Xpresspost envelope with a tracking number. Other couriers need a computer-generated label.
- Questions
- +1 613-563-1773 · balozi@kenyahighcommission.ca · Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eastern
An incomplete application is sent back to you, so check every item on the list before you mail it.
Source: Kenya High Commission, "Emergency certificate", "Kenyans in distress" and "Contact us"
Quick answers
How do I travel to Kenya without a valid Kenyan passport?
A Kenyan citizen without a valid Kenyan passport can apply for an emergency certificate. It is for one-way travel to Kenya only. You apply by mail to the High Commission in Ottawa, and the fee is CAD $20, paid by money order, certified cheque or bank draft. Always confirm with the High Commission before you book or pay.
What do I need for a Kenyan emergency certificate?
Send Form 19 (the same form as for a passport), two passport photos, 2.5 × 2 inches, your original Kenyan passport, copies of your birth certificate and Kenyan ID, a copy of your flight itinerary, and a letter explaining why you need an emergency certificate. Include a prepaid return envelope. An incomplete application is sent back to you.
How far ahead should I book my flight for an emergency certificate?
Book your flight at least three weeks out. The itinerary you send must be dated at least three weeks after the day you mail your application. If someone is in serious trouble abroad and needs help urgently, the High Commission also has a Kenyans in Distress form and an emergency line, +1 613-406-2065.
Wakenyatbay is not part of the Kenya High Commission. Always confirm with the High Commission before you book or pay.