SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, CMC – The Director of Passports, Lorenzo David Ramírez Uribe, says the bidding process for the new electronic or biometric passport for the Dominican Republic is underway.
Earlier this week, Ramírez Uribe highlighted that the General Directorate of Passports is transforming, significantly reducing the time required to obtain a passport.
“Previously, the process took approximately three hours. After implementing several improvements, we have reduced the wait time to about 30 minutes. He said that appointments are available for any need or emergency within two to three days.
He confirmed that the demand for passports continues to grow, with over 730,000 booklets issued in 2023 alone.
This new passport will feature an embedded electronic chip, enhancing document security and gaining “international recognition.”
It will also facilitate visa-free entry for Dominicans to several countries, as the General Directorate of Passports outlines.
The Dominican Republic is among the few countries that still need to adopt this technology.
An electronic passport, or e-passport, includes an embedded electronic chip and can be identified by a unique international symbol on the cover.
In the United States, travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have an e-passport if issued on or after October 26, 2006.
The chip contains the same information printed on the passport’s data page, including the holder’s name, date of birth, and other biographical details, as well as a biometric identifier, such as a digital photograph.
and then 