ArmInfo.The validity of old-style passports in Armenia will not be extended. The decision on this was adopted at a meeting of the Government on July 20. Vardan Yeghiazaryan, Deputy Chief of Police of Armenia, stated that until the present day the passports of the old model in Armenia were issued for a period of 10 years, after which they were extended for another 5 years. However, in accordance with the law and the requirements of the ICAO, 10-year biometric passports are not subject to extension in Armenia.
According to the government's new decision, from now on the passports of the old model will not be renewable for the previously stipulated period of 5 years. "By adopting this procedure, the government equates the application of the law with respect to biometric passports and old passports," he said. As the deputy police chief explained, in many countries, in particular, the US and the EU, individuals with passports with an extended term of validity either do not issue visas or completely prohibit them from entering the country, which creates certain inconveniences for these citizens of Armenia. At the same time, according to him, passports issued for a period of 10 years in case of an extension for another 5 years create problems with the identification of the owner.