New security features to safeguard passports

 NEW security features have been introduced to minimise the risk of fraudulent processes on Papua New Guinea passports. 

The Immigration Department announced last Wednesday that it has introduced the passport incorporated photo-ghost imaging on the personal particulars page.

This is so that personal biodata and additional identifiers such as finger printing and iris information were embedded on a microchip to minimise the risk of PNG passports being used for fraudulent purposes. 

Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato said PNG citizens applying for a new passport would be issued the new ‘C’ series passport incorporating the new security features. 

“The International Civil Aviation Organisation has been engaged by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority to undertake an audit of its current passport issuing system and processes.

“It will then make recommendations on appropriate hardware and software that will greatly advance processing of applications and automated issuing of passports. 

“The organisation will also assist to evaluate existing e-passport system with a view to procure a system offering the best security features and value for money to PNG,” Pato said.