LIBERIA'S GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES SIX MORE PASSPORT APPLICATION CENTERS OUTSIDE OF LIBERIA
Six Liberian Passport Application Centers have opened outside of Liberia, according to the Liberian government, according to the foreign affairs minister, H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr.
At a news conference hosted by the Ministry of Information on January 19, 2023, he revealed the information.
The extra Passport Application Centers outside of Liberia are located in Chicago, Los Angeles, Pretoria, Pretoria, Nairobi, Nairobi, Melbourne, Australia, and New Delhi, India.
According to Amb. Kemayah, the Ministry decided to increase its consular offerings, including the issuing of passports to Liberians living abroad who have requested assistance in obtaining passports.
As you are well aware, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun a number of changes, some of which involve setting up extra Passport Application Centers (PACs) where there is a need.
Kemayah continued, “President George Weah’s vision is to ensure accessible and affordable comprehensive services, including, but not limited to, passport and other consular-related services, to all Liberians, regardless of geographic location, political, social, ethnic, religious, and economic factors. This decision to expedite the opening of passport application centers around the world is part of that vision.
The Minister also noted that many Liberians who needed to meet the country’s residence criteria did so using outdated or expired passports.
According to Kemayah, it has been challenging and nearly impossible to get their national identity cards in the absence of passport application facilities, making it feasible for them to regularize their statuses in their host countries.
He emphasized: “Since the new law granting dual citizenship to Liberians, there has been an increase in requests for Liberian passports from all locations where Liberians are present for various personal reasons.”
The success and cost-effectiveness of the Passport Application Centers to Liberians to profit from the PACs and the Government of Liberia, Mr. Kemayah continued. For instance, US$60.00 with DHL/Courier Service coverage vs US$100.00 without DHL/Courier Service coverage, which the Government must pay for.
He continued by saying that the Ministry had thought of hiring the passport contractor Buck Press for advice on how to guarantee the availability and cost of services that would enable Liberians living abroad to obtain passports months earlier.