Belize's fancy and modern new passport was launched this morning in Belmopan. It's called the Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System or "EPICS" - and it will change the way you move through the world, and move through the line in Belmopan. Here's the story from the launch:
Governor General Froyla Tzalam received the first e-passport today. It is re-designed with the latest technology and security features.
The passports are produced by Canadian Bank Note Company and she spoke about some of the main features:
Fuencisla Leal Santiago, Canadian Bank Note Company
"The first one is the new business process for the handling of applications which will accelerate the e-passport issuance in a paperless environment. The second is the introduction of an electronic chip in the passport which will carry the passport holder digital image and the government of Belize's digital signature communicating the authenticity of the traveller and the document to foreign border officials when a citizen of Belize presents their travel documentation at a foreign border."
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Immigration
"There are some 26 security features embedded throughout the new e-passport."
Elements of the design were presented to the Prime Minister. Courtenay says it had a cross section of inputs:
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Immigration
"With national pride as its theme our new passport was designed by a team of officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, the National Institute of Culture and History and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration."
But, most folks don't care how it looks, they just want to know that they can get it without waiting in line for hours:
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Immigration
"We introduce this new EPICS confidence that we will attain an elevated level of security and virtually eliminate corruption and fraud when issues e-passports. Belize it or not, last month there were only 3 locations in Belize that were capable of accepting passport applications. Today, this number has increase to 7. The EPICS consists of one central issuing site in Belmopan and 7 data capture sites; Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Belize City, San Pedro Town, Belmopan, Dangriga and Punta Gorda Town. The demand by Belizeans for passports has increase significantly. In 2020, 13,830 passports were issued. In 2021, 23,521 were issued. Year to date 37,857 passports have been printed. From 23,000 - 37,000. To address this dramatic increase in demand and the expected surge in applications for the new passport, we will have online appointments to manage applications."
"Our objective is to end the long lines and hours of waiting at the immigration offices. In short we expect that EPICS and the e-passports will provide speed and security to Belizeans."
Security, and a passport that can open more doors globally:
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Immigration
"The Belize passport currently ranks 56 of 199 passports globally on the Henley Passport Index. Belizeans enjoy visa free access to 103 countries. This is not enough. We will sustain and level up our efforts to improve our position on the index by aggressively negotiating reciprocal visa free agreements affording Belizeans visa free entry into more countries. High on our list is Canada and the Schengen states."
