For many Beninese citizens living abroad, renewing a passport is one of those important tasks that often gets postponed. Finding time around work, family commitments, or studies can be difficult, especially when the process involves coordinating with an embassy or consulate.
Digital government services are changing that experience. Today, eligible citizens can begin and complete much of their passport renewal process remotely through ePass, the Government of Benin’s official digital passport renewal platform.
If you’re considering renewing your passport through ePass, here are five of the most common questions citizens ask before getting started.
1. Who can use ePass?
ePass is designed for eligible Beninese citizens living outside Benin who need to renew their passport.
The platform gives citizens abroad access to passport renewal without requiring them to travel back to Benin. Depending on the applicable government policy, the renewal journey can be completed remotely through the ePass mobile application.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the eligibility requirements, the application guides you through the process and provides the information needed before you begin.
2. How does the renewal process work?
The renewal journey has been designed to be straightforward.
After downloading ePass, you’ll create your application, submit the required information, complete identity verification, make payment, and monitor your application from your mobile device.
One of the key steps is biometric verification.
Biometrics are unique physical characteristics that help confirm a person’s identity. During the renewal process, ePass uses technologies such as facial verification, fingerprint capture, and passport scanning to help government authorities verify that the applicant is the legitimate passport holder.
These checks help maintain the integrity of the passport issuance process while allowing eligible citizens to complete the experience remotely.
3. Do I need to visit an embassy?
Many citizens ask this question because traditional passport renewal has long depended on physical embassy visits.
With ePass, much of the renewal process can be completed remotely. Citizens can submit their application, complete biometric verification, make payment, and track progress through the application.
Depending on government policy and the verification model in use, additional in-person confirmation may be required in some cases. The application provides guidance throughout the process.
4. Is my information secure?
Security is one of the most important parts of any digital identity service.
ePass incorporates multiple layers of identity verification, including passport scanning, facial verification with liveness detection, contactless fingerprint capture, and automated identity matching.
Liveness detection is a security technology that confirms a real person is present during verification rather than a photograph or video.
These verification steps help government authorities process applications with confidence while protecting the integrity of the passport renewal process.
5. How long does the process take?
Most users complete registration and biometric verification in less than 30 minutes.
After an application has been submitted, government authorities review the information before passport production and delivery through approved channels.
Citizens can monitor their application status directly within ePass throughout the renewal process.
Renew with Confidence
Passport renewal is an essential service that should be accessible wherever citizens live.
By bringing identity verification, application submission, payment, and application tracking into one secure platform, ePass makes it easier for eligible Beninese citizens abroad to stay connected to their country while accessing an important government service.
Download ePass today on the Google playstore and Apple Store and begin your passport renewal journey.
