How to Verify Your LinkedIn Profile Using a Kenyan Passport

If you’re a LinkedIn enthusiast like me, you’ve probably encountered that shiny “Verified” badge on some profiles. It’s like a badge of honor, a digital handshake that says, “Yes, I’m the real deal.” For a year, I chased this badge like a dog chasing its tail. The culprit? I am unable to figure out where to scan my Kenyan passport with my smartphone. Guess what! I figured it out yesterday. Here’s the tea.

Step 1: Initiating the Verification Process

The journey to verification begins in the LinkedIn app. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Open the app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
2. Navigate to Settings & Privacy and tap on it.
3. Scroll to Account Preferences and select Identity Verification (you’ll see this option if LinkedIn has enabled verification for your account).

Once you’ve found it, LinkedIn will ask you to verify your identity. Choose the option to use your Passport for this process. At this point, you’ll be prompted to either:

• Take a photo of your passport using your phone’s camera, or
• Upload a photo of your passport from your phone’s gallery.

To ensure smooth processing, make sure your passport photo is:

• Clear and legible, with no glare or shadows.
• Captured in a well-lit area with a plain background.
• Fully visible, including all four corners.

After uploading or taking the photo, the app will automatically validate the document. If everything is fine, you’ll proceed to the next step scanning the passport chip.

Step 2: Scanning the Passport Chip

This is where the plot thickens. LinkedIn requires you to scan the chip embedded in your passport. Kenyan passports, issued after September 2017, come with this nifty feature. The challenge? Figuring out where to hold your smartphone to read the chip.

For a year, I danced around my passport, placing my phone over every corner, middle, and edge. I even held it upside down at some point, convinced that LinkedIn was playing a cruel joke on me. Turns out, the chip is embedded in the front cover, and the trick is to hold your phone flat against it, right where the Kenyan coat of arms is located.

My “Aha!” Moment

Yesterday, it all came together. After several failed attempts (and a near meltdown), I tried again. This time, I held my phone steady over the passport cover for a few seconds. Lo and behold, the magic happened! The LinkedIn app confirmed my identity, and I finally saw that coveted green tick on my profile.

Pro Tips for Success

1. Use a recent Kenyan passport.
2. Be patient and ensure good lighting when scanning.
3. Hold your phone flat and steady over the front cover where the coat of arms is located.
4. Don’t give up! If I could figure this out after a year, so can you.

Why Verification Matters

Getting verified on LinkedIn boosts your credibility and reassures recruiters or business partners that you’re genuinely you. It’s worth the effort, even if it takes some trial and error (or, in my case, an embarrassing amount of time).

So, there you have it -my journey from clueless to verified. If you’re starting your verification journey, I hope this guide saves you time and frustration. And hey, if you’ve already nailed the process, share this with someone who might be struggling.

Here’s to more verified profiles and fewer headaches! Feel free to Connect with me on LinkedIn here

• #LinkedInTips #DigitalIdentity #ProfessionalGrowth #KenyanProfessionals
• #HowTo #KenyanPassport #Innovation #Management #DigitalMarketing #Technology #Creativity