Authority introduces ‘C’ series passport

 THE PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA) has introduced a more secure machine-readable passport which incorporates photo-ghost imaging on the personal particulars’ page.

Chief immigration officer Mataio Rabura said PNG citizens applying for new passports since last month were being issued the new ‘C’ series passports.

“PNGICSA is moving closer to introducing a biometric e-passport that will incorporate personal bio-data and additional identifiers such as fingerprinting and iris information, embedded on a microchip to minimise the risk of PNG passports being used for fraudulent purposes,” he said.

Rabura said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had been engaged by PNGICSA to undertake an audit of its current passport-issuing systems and processes, and make recommendations on appropriate hardware and software that would enhance processing of applications and automated issuing of passports.

“ICAO will assist evaluate existing passport systems with a view to procuring a system offering the best security features and value for money to PNG,” he said.