ArmInfo. The timeframes for the introduction of ID cards in Armenia will be extended by 2 years. Amendments to the Laws "On Identification Cards" and "On the Passport of a Citizen" were approved at a meeting of the Government of the Republic of Armenia on September 20.
Presenting the package of amendments, the Chief of Police of the RA Valery Osipyan noted that the process of introduction of ID cards and biometric passports started in 2008. The term of their implementation expires in 2019, but about 300 thousand citizens still need them. In this regard, it is proposed to extend the terms for 2 years - until 2021. The head of the RA Police also informed that in 2017 the term of the contract with the Polish company expired, which printed biometric passports and identification cards. With the extension of the terms of their implementation, it will be possible to negotiate with the producers of identity documents. Thus, the social issue will be resolved, since in the absence of an ID card, a citizen will have to pay 25 thousand drams instead of 3 thousand. The chief of police added that the cost of production of one biometric passport is 10 euros, that is, for 300 thousand citizens of the country it is necessary to find about 3 million euros
Since January 1, 2014, Armenian citizens do not receive old passports, because ID cards and biometric passports have come into force. The fee for the identification card is 3 thousand drams, for the biometric passport 25 thousand drams. ID cards and biometric passports are issued for a period of 10 years. The ID card is for internal use, and the passport is for travel outside the state. The identification card looks like a normal plastic card, and the passport is a kind of the current passport of a citizen of Armenia. In addition to personal data, digital photos, electronic signatures, the passport will contain two fingerprints of the owner.
Recall that the process of introducing new passports started in Armenia in 2008. The implementation of the system of biometric passports and the production of electronic identification cards is carried out by the Polish company PWPW.