Algerians can renew passports six months before expiry

Algerians can apply to renew their passport up to six months before it expires.

DNAlgerie reported that the rule covers people living in Algeria and Algerians living abroad. Residents apply to the administrative services of their wilaya, at the daïra or administrative district concerned.

Algerians abroad apply instead to the Algerian consular service for their place of residence. They must hold a valid consular registration and supply the documents requested.

The six-month rule is set by article 14 of law No. 14-03 of 24 February 2014 on travel documents. The law allows a renewal in the six months before the passport expires.

For a passport that expires on 15 June, the procedure can start on 15 December of the year before.

The current passport stays valid until its expiry date, even when its holder can already ask for a replacement.

Renewal can also start earlier, before the six-month period, when the visa pages are fully used. There is no room left for new visas, so the passport can be replaced even if its expiry date is far away.

A passport that is lost, stolen or damaged can also be replaced early. The applicant must then provide supporting documents that match the type of incident.

For loss or theft, the applicant must provide a declaration. For damage, an official report (procès-verbal) is required, according to the rules that apply.