After a one-week trial period, Moldova has stared issuing passports of dark-red color. ICT Minister Pavel Filip has told a news conference today that, compared to the light-blue passports, the new ones have a higher degree of security, reducing the risks of them being forged “practically to zero”, IPN reports.
Moldova is among the first countries in Europe to implement such security technology for identity documents, the minister said.
The security features embedded in the new passports can be seen only when exposing them to ultraviolet rays or under microscope. Like their light-blue predecessors, the new passports will have a chip containing personal data of the holder incorporated in their covers. The fees charged for biometric passports will remain unchanged.
Pavel Filip said the light-blue passports, both biometric and non-biometric, will remain valid until expiry. He recalled that the non-biometric passports don't allow their holders to travel in the Schengen area without a visa.
Due to an increase in the number of passport applications in August, the Ministry has instructed ID offices to extend their working hours by an extra two hours a day, which allows the processing of an additional 200 applications. People may submit their applications at any ID office, regardless of the their formal address of residence.
Pavel Filip said the number of Moldovans holding a biometric passports has exceeded the 1 million mark, with the one-millionth being issued to a 9-year-old girl.
