The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the cancellation of Diplomatic and Service Passports as part of a nationwide recall of official documents.
The directive, which takes immediate effect from today, 6th May 2025, follows earlier public notices issued on 15th January and 10th March 2025, calling for the return of such passports. Despite the directive, hundreds of passport holders failed to comply.
According to the Ministry, 407 Diplomatic and 403 Service passport holders heeded the call and returned their documents by the deadline. However, 341 Diplomatic and 360 Service Passports remain unreturned. These have now been officially cancelled and placed on a stop-list.
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The Ministry warned that any attempt to use these passports will lead to confiscation at points of entry or departure.
The affected groups include:
Former Ministers and their spouses
Former Members of Parliament
Former Members of the Council of State and their spouses
Former or retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts
Former Regional Ministers and District Chief Executives
Former Board Members and Officers of State Institutions
Officials linked to the National Cathedral Project
Former Non-Career Ambassadors and their dependents
Religious and traditional leaders
Businessmen, entrepreneurs, and
Any other person not currently holding an official state position as outlined in Sections 6 and 7 of the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155)
The Ministry emphasized that only persons currently serving in official state roles are eligible to hold such privileged travel documents.
