A notice dated 10th December, addressed to all Staff of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, has outlined that from 30 December 2019, the department is introducing the electronic passport (e-passport).
The notice, signed by the Director General Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, outlines that the new passport has been introduced to enhance the security features of the Malawi Passport while at the same time conform with International standards set by the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO).
The notice reads, “An electronic passport is a passport booklet embedded with an electronic chip able to electronically store the holder’s details including biometrics. The Malawi electronic passport will have improved security features derived from a review of the features adopted globally.”
On the other hand, while the new passport is being unveiled, holders of the old passports are encouraged to replace and acquire new e-passport. Upon the expiry of the period, holders of the old passports will not be permitted to use them to travel outside Malawi after completion of the migration process.
The notice also adds that the transition will see new and faster printing machinery coming in to serve. “The equipment to be replaced include the passport printers which will be replaced with new state of the art self-loading printers that are able to print 500 passports a day.” says the notice. Meanwhile, Malawians are concerned that having recently acquiring the old passport, getting the new one will be costly, unless there is a provision for that matter.