New electronic passports - 26th October 2006

26/10/2006 -

As of  26 October 2006 the Italian Embassy has been issuing a new electronic passport utilising modern technologies that offer higher security standards.
The electronic passport contains a series of counter-forgery features and a microprocessor making it possible to record the holder's electronically certified data and the authority that issued it. Fingerprint data can be added later once the adoption of such a regulation has been discussed and approved in the context of the European Union.
The cost of the new passport, reflecting the highly sophisticated technology utilised, was established by a Ministry of the Economy decree of 9 May 2006 at €44,60 for a booklet with 32 pages and €45,62 for one with 48 pages.
The annual renewal fee remains unchanged.
Issuance of the new passport, fruit of a common European initiative, will allow for maintenance of the Visa Waiver Program authorising entrance into the United States or transit through its airports without a visa. Indeed, as of 26 October next, only holders of electronic passports, of passports with digital photos issued before 26 October 2006, or machine-readable passports issued or renewed prior to 26 October 2005 will be allowed to enter or travel in the US without having to get a visa.
Please be reminded that minor children are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program only if in possession of their own passports; inclusion on the passport of one parent is not sufficient.
Contributing to the realisation of the “Electronic Passport” project were the State Mint Facility, which made it feasible, the CNIPA (National Centre for Public Administration Information) of the Department for Innovation and Technologies of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Office of the Privacy Authority.

legals | credits | F.A.Q.