In a landmark ceremony at its new headquarters, the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Passports (DGP) has officially unveiled the nation’s next-generation electronic passport. President Luis Abinader presided over the event, personally receiving the first biometric travel document issued in the country, signaling a transformative upgrade to the nation’s identity and border security infrastructure.
The implementation will follow a carefully structured phased approach to ensure system integrity and operational efficiency. Initial stages focus on enrolling government officials and diplomats, with citizen appointments opening gradually beginning January 15. DGP Director General Lorenzo Ramírez emphasized that this measured rollout allows for comprehensive system validation, staff training, and user experience optimization before full-scale national implementation.
Full public enrollment is scheduled to commence on February 19, starting with high-demand offices in Santo Domingo and northern regions before expanding nationwide. The sophisticated e-passport incorporates cutting-edge biometric technology, exceeds 130 security elements, and features an encrypted chip fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The documents will carry 10-year validity for adults and 5-year validity for minors.
Complementing the technological upgrade, the DGP announced enhanced services including domestic delivery options and a specialized repatriation benefit for Dominican citizens abroad. During the transition period, current mechanical passports will remain legally valid alongside the new electronic versions.