Monday, January 15, 2007

by Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad and Tobago Correspondent
Email: Stephen@caribbeannetnews.com

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Immigration Division of the Ministry of National Security in Trinidad and Tobago will be implementing on January 24, 2007 a new Machine Readable Passport and Integrated Border Management System.

According to ministry officials, the machine readable passport system is part of Government's strategy to enhance the capability of the Immigration Division to manage the borders of the country.

Passports will be issued on a phased basis, beginning with persons whose passports would have expired in 2007. All persons who are desirous of travelling and are not in possession of a valid travel document will also be facilitated on a case-by case basis.

It is being said that in keeping with international best practice and current ICAO standards, the life of the passport has been reduced from 10 to 5 years.

This measure provides flexibility for the upgrading of passport technology and will assist in addressing the incidence of counterfeiting, forgery and other forms of fraud on travel documents.

Additional costs are also being incurred. The cost of the new passport has now moved from TT$150 to TT$250 for persons 16 years and over. A child under 16 years from TT$75 to TT$250.

Replacing a valid lost or misplaced passport for an adult will now cost TT$1,000 from TT$500. For a child it will now cost TT$1,000 from TT$450.

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