The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cancelled 701 Diplomatic and Service passports, as part of a nationwide recall of official travel documents aimed at enforcing compliance with government regulations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 6, the ministry announced that 341 unreturned Diplomatic passports and 360 Service passports have been placed on a stop-list, rendering them invalid for international travel.
The cancellation follows previous public notices on January 15 and March 10, 2025, which instructed former officials and other individuals to return their official passports.
The affected individuals include: Former Ministers and their spouses, Former Members of Parliament, Former Council of State members and spouses, Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts, Former Regional Ministers, MMDCEs, and board members, Officials of the National Cathedral Project, Former non-career ambassadors and their dependents, Religious and traditional leaders, businesspersons, entrepreneurs, and former government functionaries not currently in service.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a directive that all affected passports will be confiscated if found in use, with strict enforcement measures at entry and exit points nationwide.
This action ensures compliance with the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), particularly sections 6 and 7, which regulate the issuance and proper use of official travel documents.
The ministry has urged individuals still in possession of revoked passports to return them immediately to avoid legal consequences.
Read statement below:
