New e-passports with added security features soon here

A new Electronic passport with enhanced security features will be available to Vincentians in just under two weeks. The official launch of the e-passport, as it is commonly referred to, coincides with the moving of the Immigration Department from its current location at the Central Police Headquarters, to the D’s Building on Bay Street.{{more}}

Head of the Immigration Department Stanley Hamilton has expressed confidence that the new document is the best yet with regard to affording Vincentians a modern and secure document.

When the new e-passport is introduced on March 4, St Vincent and the Grenadines would become only the second territory within the region to introduce the new travel document.

And while Hamilton explained that he was unable to give detailed information on what specific security changes have been made to the document, he said that the e-passport contains a chip.

The existing document, or the MRZ, as it is referred to, had a machine readable zone.

“That was the only area of the passport that was allowed to be read,” Hamilton said.

“This one has the chip that allows it to be read at borders that carry one’s personal data and that’s basically what the passport is about,” he continued.

The new security features on the document make it difficult for a person to forge the passport, Hamilton explained.

According to the chief immigration officer, the change of the existing passport came on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“The state seeks to implement what is recommended by ICAO,” Hamilton said.

And although the change is in keeping with the changing international standards, anyone who currently holds a valid machine readable passport would not be required to immediately upgrade.

“My understanding is that the passport would be allowed to go through its expiring stages and then, that having expired, the only other passport that would be issued to you would be the e-passport – so citizens need not worry that an additional expense will be incurred on them in having to change the passports sooner rather than later,” he said.

The validity of the passport for anyone over 16 will be 10 years and under 16, five, Hamilton added.

The application process will remain the same; however, Hamilton said that the price of the new travel document has not been set yet.

Regarding the modernization of the department, Hamilton said that following the recommendation coming from the Durrant report which advised that the Immigration Department become a new entity, it will be moving to a new location.

Hamilton said that despite the separation of the Immigration Department from the police and fire service, it had still been housed in the building of the Central Police Station.

“Of course, we are most grateful to be housed in the police station, but as a new entity and given its autonomy, the time has come where we occupy our own space,” the chief said.

The Government recently acquired the building, formerly housing D’s Services and, according to Hamilton, the Immigration Department will be located on the second floor, upstairs the electoral office.

It is anticipated that the new location, while offering a more spacious environment, will be complimented by a more efficient customer service Hamilton said. (DD)