Tuesday, 30 March 2010 12:07 Min Thet
Rangoon (Mizzima) - Military-ruled Burma on March 29th began introducing a new system of machine-readable passports in an attempt to combat the proclivity of fake passports in circulation.
The new passports, according to officials, have hidden barcodes that are only readable with computers via laser scan.
Applicants said the new system carries a cost of 19,000 kyats (approximately 19 USD) for the passport, with an additional 1,000 kyats for online applications.
Under the old system, applicants were required to buy an application form for 1,400 kyats and pay 3,500 kyats for passport size photographs, 8,000 kyats for the book and 500 kyats for online services.
Officials at the passport office on Rangoon’s Pansodan Street have additionally made accepting a bribe from applicants a semi-official practice, with it impossible for applicants to receive a passport without paying-off the officers.
With numerous Burmese traveling abroad in search of jobs and greener pastures, the passport application process has been a lucrative affair for officials. Nonetheless, applicants previously had to wait about a month or so before they could get hold of their passports.
Sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs said the new system of issuing smart card passports was implemented on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Travel agents and tour companies applaud the new system as it saves time to process.
“We welcome the new system of E-passports. The time taken for applicants to receive their passports would be significant in the past, as it usually took about a month in the old system,” a Rangoon international travel agent told Mizzima.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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