Santo Domingo. – The first copies of the electronic passport arrived in the country to undergo security and functionality tests. The Director General of Passports, Lorenzo Ramírez Uribe, explained that these tests seek to verify the reading and correct functioning of the chip, the validation of biometric information and security measures, in compliance with the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (
ICAO).
This new document will include an electronic microchip that stores the holder’s demographic information, their photo, encrypted digital signature, and biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial features, which will allow for agile and effective identity authentication.
It will be valid for 5 to 10 years and will be made of high-quality materials with a polycarbonate data sheet, similar to that used in passports of countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, United States, and United Kingdom.
In addition, the design will feature advanced security measures such as holograms, watermarks, and optically variable ink (OVI); visible and invisible measures that react to ultraviolet and infrared light, which will make counterfeiting difficult.
The new electronic passport will not only improve the national security of the Dominican Republic, as this technology helps detect identity theft attempts, but will also align the country with international biometric passport standards, which are used by more than 135 countries. This will facilitate the transit of Dominicans around the world, improving agility in border controls.
“This will allow the Dominican passport to elevate its position in international rankings, strengthening our ability to manage agreements with other countries that facilitate the mobility of our citizens, advancing towards greater openness and global recognition,” said the head of the DGP.
Coexistence of notebooks
Ramírez Uribe explained that the current booklet will remain valid until its expiration date, so it can coexist simultaneously with the electronic passport. That is, the transition to this document will be gradual.
“You have a booklet with an expiration date of 6 or 10 years, so people will be changing at the time of its expiration. However, as we move forward with the implementation and according to our capacity for attention, we will expand the service so that citizens can advance the process before the expiration date of their passport,” he said.
Other benefits
Among the benefits of having an electronic passport are the reduction of the risk of forgery and identity theft, as well as faster processing at borders and global interoperability.
It also offers greater reliability since the information is protected with advanced technology, which facilitates the opening of borders.
