Biometric passports to start being issued in October
Preparations are in an advanced stage for the introduction of biometric passports which should start being issued in October, timesofmalta.com reported yesterday.
A biometric passport is a combined paper and electronic document. Under normal circumstances, such passports would be ready for collection in four days. Biometric data would be collected through a special image capture device at the Passport Office. Photos and the individual's signature would be taken at the counter. The biographic data and features of the passport holder would be reproduced in the passport's electronic chip.
A spokesman for the Communications Ministry told the online portal that the plan was for expired passports to be replaced with biometric ones on renewal.
The preparations being undertaken include the recent transfer of the Passport Office from St Paul Street in Valletta to Evans Building at the bottom of Merchants Street, also in Valletta.
The ministry is implementing a National Identity Management Information System so that all identity management aspects will be handled by one office.
The office would be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act and the management of personal data to the review or audit of the Data Protection Commissioner.
This would ensure Malta's compliance with new European standards for passports and allow the country to join the US visa waiver programme.
Passports would be personalised on site in a security controlled environment conforming to stringent and established international standards.
When registering for a passport, applicants would be given the option to register for an electronic ID.
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s.Caruana
Aug 11th 2008, 20:43
Yes, we should all know what is being put on these Dodgy e-ID cards and passports.
I've heard that the new ID cards will contain amongst other 'Things' the holders bank acount details...will it have account numbers? account balance ?
This is a Diabolical Liberty by the Government.
What does the opposition party's have to say about this outragous affair.!!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 11th 2008, 19:21
Citizens should seriously question what kind of data these biometric passports, and electronic ID cards will contain.
I suggest that citizens should have a RIGHT to be able to access any intelligent media - such as biometric or chip - that they have under their name. This can easily be done by giving some Local Councils the necessary electronic readers so that citizens can access this data if and when they want to.
In Germany, such biometric passports started being offered but these were then stopped because they were declared by the Courts as unconstitutional. And in Malta?
Also, I feel that such biometric passports should not be obligatory. And who is going to shoulder the expense of such a passport?
Thank you.
Ramon Casha
Aug 11th 2008, 18:13
@B.Borg
The new ID cards will also contain biometric data, and are separate from the eID which is used to connect to certain government e-Services.
B.Borg
Aug 11th 2008, 11:29
@ETHEL ABELA
As far as I know the electronic ID, is just an user name or number and password to access various government or other services on line, it has nothing to do with the ID Card, that you can travel with. That's why yesterday I remarked that replacing the current expired ID Cards should be given a priority.
ETHEL ABELA
Aug 11th 2008, 09:28
Are these type of passports obligatory under EU laws or are they mandatory only in the case of persons needing a Visa to travel to the US. - say I do not have any intention of visiting the USA and do not require a Visa.
What is the cost of a biometric passport ?
If I opt for an electronic ID would that suffice for travel within Europe and as such I would not require a passport ?