The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has detected irregularities in 126 biometric passport applications submitted in Spain following a verification exercise conducted by its Mobile Biometric Passport Team deployed to Spain and Italy.
In a press release, the department said the affected applications have been placed on hold after inconsistencies were discovered during the verification stage of the application process.
According to the GID, the discrepancies involve variations in applicants’ personal details, including names, dates of birth, and other identifying information when compared with records of individuals already holding valid biometric passports.
“All affected applications remain pending as a result of inconsistencies identified during verification,” the department stated. It added that applicants affected by the issue have been instructed to contact the designated Immigration Officer, AICO Moses Mendy, at the Biometric Passport Office to assist in resolving the discrepancies through proper documentation and verification procedures.
The GID further revealed that a total of 1,823 passport applications were processed across Spain and Italy during the exercise, out of which 1,308 passports have already been completed and delivered. These were officially handed over to the Embassy of The Gambia in Spain on 21 May 2026 for distribution to applicants.
The department also confirmed that 389 applications submitted in Milan, Italy, are still undergoing processing as part of the remaining batch from the regional enrolment exercise.
Reaffirming its position, the GID said it remains committed to ensuring the authenticity and integrity of Gambian travel documents.
It noted that as global cases of identity fraud continue to evolve, the department will intensify its verification systems to strengthen compliance with both national laws and international standards. The Immigration Department also urged applicants to ensure accuracy in their personal information when applying for passports, warning that inconsistencies can lead to delays or rejection during processing.
