Santo Domingo.-The new electronic passport incorporates a technological platform designed to evolve over time and align with international immigration control standards, the next step being the digital travel credential (DTC), a passport on mobile devices, which will be the next stage of advancement.
This was explained by the director of Passports, Lorenzo Ramírez, when detailing the scope of the document that began to be implemented in the country and that replaces the old machine-readable passport.
Ramírez highlighted that the new document marks a before and after in terms of security, interoperability and efficiency in services. Unlike the previous passport, which was machine readable and had a data sheet on laminated paper, the new format integrates an electronic chip and a laser-engraved polycarbonate sheet, which makes it difficult to alter and raises the standards of protection of the citizen’s identity.
“We are making an important technological leap. It is not only a notebook with a chip, but an entire modern infrastructure that supports the process,” explained the official, pointing out that the institution had a technological platform that was more than 14 years old, which made its maintenance and updating increasingly complex.
Passport on mobile
He announced that the country already has the technological base to move towards DTC, a digital credential that would allow the passport to be carried on the cell phone.
Although this modality is not yet fully incorporated into the international regulatory framework, the Dominican Republic is already preparing for its future implementation, which would streamline migration controls and facilitate bilateral mobility agreements.
“We are ready to take that leap when appropriate. The electronic passport is not the end point, but the beginning of a transformation that places the country at a competitive level in terms of identity and international security,” concluded the director.
The new electronic passport stores more complete biometric data. While the previous model captured only two fingerprints, the new system records all ten fingerprints, in addition to the facial data obtained through the official photograph taken at the institution. This information is protected under strict security protocols and is not shared openly, but is validated through electronic certificates.
In that sense, Ramírez explained that the document complies with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in addition to being integrated into the Public Key Directory (PKD), a mechanism that allows countries to validate the authenticity of the electronic certificates of each document issued.
“The chip generates a public key that is validated in the international directory. Fingerprints or biometric data are not sent to other countries; what is shared is the certification that the document is authentic and was issued by the Dominican Republic,” he said.
One of the elements that the Passport Director highlighted most is the robust security system of the new document. The electronic passport incorporates more than 130 security measures, compared to the 50 or 60 that the previous version had.
These measures include microtexts, holograms, elements visible under ultraviolet light, special inks, high relief images and laser engravings on polycarbonate. The polycarbonate data sheet offers an estimated durability of up to 10 years, in line with the validity of the document for adults.
In addition, the notebook includes iconography that highlights the national identity. Each page shows elements representative of the different regions of the country: historical monuments, emblematic landscapes, native flora and fauna, as well as national symbols and references to the Taíno culture.
The objective is for the document to not only be secure, but also a reflection of Dominican identity.
The opening of appointments for the electronic passport began on January 15, after the official delivery led by President Luis Abinader. The captures began on February 19 at the headquarters, under a gradual scheme.
Passport
—1— Application
In this first stage, those whose document is expired, damaged, lost, or less than six months old can apply for a new passport.
—2— Times
The regular passport, which previously took around six days, will now be delivered within 24 to 48 hours in Greater Santo Domingo.
Document
— Validity
The passport for adults will be valid for 10 years and cost RD$6,700, which represents an increase of RD$1,050 compared to the previous price. For minors, the validity will be five years.
