The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has confirmed that passport processing fees will be raised, estimated to reach K72,000 from K48,500 for a passport that will be processed in 21 days.

The news was revealed the Minister of Homeland Security toured the Immigration Offices in Blantyre last weekend. Director General of the Department, Masauko Medi, attributed the pending hike to processing costs, of which the current K48,500 can not bare.

However, Medi outlined that with the introduction of the National Identity Cards, a passport is no longer a need for identification in the access of services, but it is only needed when traveling outside the country.