The National Superintendency of Migration launched the international call for bidders, who desire to create the official Peruvian biometric passport, an essential document for Peruvian tourists, who want to enter the Eurozone without the Schengen visa.
At a press conference held on Monday, National Superintendent Boris Potozen indicated that the high-technology passport will be progressively implemented starting December 2015.
"The previous documents are valid and will be accepted, as long as they have not been renewed. The biometric passport must be requested starting the sixth year," he told Andina news agency.
This modern document will include mechanized, digital and facial information to confirm the person’s identity. It will be verified through a specialized passport reader and a security mechanism featuring UV illumination.
"This level 3 security mechanism will read the different printed images on each page of the passport. We will include images representing our country's culture,” he added.
With regard to the price, the superintendent declined to provide details.
"We are the only country that offers the most affordable price. Currently, the Peruvian passport costs S/.40; nearly US$13. We are not going to profit from this, and we will continue with an accessible price," he said.
Potozen also expressed this international call is conducted by the U.N. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in order to ensure transparency and promote participation of enterprises with great experience in biometric passports production at global level.
The Peruvian State will invest around US$42 million on its implementation.
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