A new type of passports will be put into circulation in April. The new model contains 34 pages and 45 modern security elements and will be made of new materials and with different technologies, IPN reports.

A draft decision that was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday says that the new type of passport is put into circulation in order to meet the relevant recommendations of the international institutions.

The Public Services Agency said that major changes were made to the most important part of the passport, which is most sensitive to being counterfeit – the first page with the holder’s identification data.

The technology for making and personalizing the paper page with data was replaced with a page with data on multilayer polycarbonate support personalized with laser engraving. This technology enables to use a wider spectrum of security elements on layers verified by touch, look or inclining of the document, alongside other hidden security elements that are checked with simple and laboratory equipment.

The passport is issued to persons younger than seven, valid for a four-year period, aged 7 to 16 – for a seven-year period, aged over 16 – for a ten-year period.

The new model of passport (series AP) will be put in circulation when the supply of blank IDs (series AB) is used up, but not later than April 30, 2023.