Antigua and Barbuda Launches Biometric Passports

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has begun the process of receiving applications for a new biometric passport (ePassport) due to be officially rolled out later this month.

The biometric passport is becoming the international norm in travel documents for safe and secure travel. They allow for technologically advanced features including an embedded electronic chip that deters fraud. The electronic chip stores the personal information recorded on the data page, except for the signature. Once the personal information is encoded on the chip it cannot be modified without invalidating the passport.

The new electronic Antigua and Barbuda Passport will contain 48 pages with each page containing watermarks depicting national images.

The new system allows for all information to be captured when an application is presented. The information from the application will be entered and stored electronically. Applicants are still required to bring the supporting documentation along with the application to include photos, birth, baptismal, marriage certificate and any other document which supports their claim of citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda.

The new system will allow the Passport Office to capture a live signature, as well as a live photo. A new passport application form has been designed to be used with the system. This form will be introduced at a later date.

The fee for the new passport remains the same. Fees are paid in postage stamps from the appropriate vendors. Persons holding valid passports are not yet required to change their passports.

Source: Caribbean News Now

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