BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA GOVERNMENT has commenced issuance of the electronic passport (e-passport) which will be accepted at the country’s borders starting Monday next week.
An electronic passport contains an electronic chip. The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport’s data page: the holder’s name, date of birth, and other biographic information. It also contains a biometric identifier.
The e-passport enhances security by preventing identity theft and forgery.
Acting Registrar-General Henry Machiri said passports that were applied for since January 18, 2022 were ready for collection.
“The ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural heritage through the Civil registry department commenced issuance of electronic passports e-passports) at the central registry in Harare on 18 January 2022. Following its historic launch by his excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde ED Mnangagwa,” Machiri said.
“Members of the public and all our valued stakeholders are therefore advised that the e-passport will be usable at all our ports of entry and exit with effect from Monday 7 February 2022. The nation will be kept informed on any further developments surrounding the on-going implementation of the passport.”
Machiri however refused to take questions from the media.
An ordinary e- passport costs US$100, while an emergency passport is pegged at US$200 with an extra US$20 application fee that was instituted under Statutory Instrument (SI) 16 of 2022.
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