BELMOPAN, Sat. Nov. 6, 2021 — The Government of Belize is a step closer to replacing the outdated passport system that is currently in place in the country with a modern ePassport system called the Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (ePICS). In a Government of Belize Press Office release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration announced the completion of the design phase of the installment of the new system.
This announcement follows a November 4th kickoff meeting at which project stakeholders met to discuss project management, identify deliverables and suggest due dates for each. They also laid out a communication model for the operation and discussed team roles.
The Government of Belize has secured the services of a team from Canada Bank Note Limited (CBN), an authority in designing eDocuments, to assist in the process phase. Over the next two weeks, CBN and the ministry will engage in technical meetings with stakeholders, during which there will be visits to the Passport offices in Corozal Town, Belize City, and Belmopan — the only three locations currently fielding passport applications for Belizeans.
The ePassport’s introduction will allow faster clearance through immigration checks when Belizeans who hold these passports travel abroad. It provides a more secure system as a result of an embedded chip containing data that can be compared with information contained in physical documents to ensure that there has been no tampering with those records and to provide a safeguard against identity theft, and passport reproduction, while enhancing imposter detection. ePassports significantly contribute to global security and increased border protection. As a result, Belizeans will be able to travel globally with fewer restrictions due to its guaranteed security-enhancing measures. The release touts this innovative new measure as “a symbol of national pride for Belizeans and will establish a bond of trust between Belize and those countries reading it.”
The CBN has customers in 80 countries and has consistently proven that their technological innovations in design, manufacturing, printing, and biometrics technology can skillfully address emerging travel document security threats. CBN constantly integrates new measures in its solutions to mitigate emerging security threats. Further, they work with the International Civil Aviation Organization to ensure its documents exceed the approved international standards.
While only three Immigration offices currently accept passport applications, the Government of Belize intends to extend those services to offices in Punta Gorda Town, Independence Village, Dangriga Town, and Orange Walk Town; and to introduce an online portal for renewals when the new system goes online in August 2022.
The Government of Belize press release concludes by stating, “This initiative is in line with the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Department of Nationality and Passports, the Global Compact on Migration, the Government of Belize’s eGovernance strategy, and Plan Belize’s immigration policy as well as international and regional agreements that advance Belize’s development.”