May 29, 2025
Vanuatu’s Immigration Department has announced significant changes to its passport application process with the introduction of a new biometric e-passport system. Director Jeffrey Markson’s official notice to all DSP/CIIP agents outlines the technical requirements and procedural changes that will affect passport applicants.
The New E-Passport System
According to the official announcement, Vanuatu is implementing a biometric data collection processing system that fundamentally changes how passport applications are handled. The system introduces several key technical components:
Biometric Data Collection Requirements:
- Thumbprints and fingerprint capture
- Facial feature recognition and imaging
- Electronic signature collection
The system is designed to collect what the department calls “unique identifiers” alongside essential personal biographical data including date of birth, creating a comprehensive digital profile for each passport applicant.
Mandatory Physical Presence
A critical aspect of the new system is the requirement for mandatory biometric data enrollment with physical presence at enrollment stations. This means all passport applicants—both CIIP (Citizenship by Investment Program) and DSP applicants—must physically appear at designated locations to complete their biometric registration.
This physical presence requirement represents a significant procedural change from previous application processes and indicates the department’s focus on preventing identity fraud through remote applications.
Required Documentation
The new system requires applicants to provide a comprehensive set of supporting documents for enrollment registration:
- Vanuatu Birth Certificate
- Vanuatu National ID Card
- Original passport of the applicant’s country of origin
- Citizens paper (Citizenship Certificate)
- INTERPOL background check
- No criminal record notarization from country of origin
- FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) background check
- Passport printing fee receipt
This extensive documentation list suggests the system integrates with multiple existing databases and verification systems to cross-reference applicant information.
Envisioning the Backend of a Secure E-Passport System
The e-passport system implementation appears to suggest, or we hope it involves, sophisticated backend integration—potentially interfacing with key government databases such as birth registries, national ID systems, police records, and financial intelligence units for verification purposes. It likely requires advanced biometric processing infrastructure to capture and manage fingerprints, facial features, and electronic signatures at enrollment points. Ideally, strong data security measures—including encryption and secure transmission protocols—are in place to safeguard the sensitive biometric and personal information being handled. The system architecture diagram was generated by AI to illustrate this assumed framework.
Fingerprinting Location Options and Fees
The new system offers flexibility in where applicants can complete their biometric enrollment, with different fee structures:
Option 1: Direct Vanuatu Enrollment Applicants can travel directly to Vanuatu for fingerprinting at no additional fingerprinting fee.
Option 2: Consulate Locations For convenience, applicants can complete biometric enrollment at designated consulate locations:
- Hong Kong Consulate: $2,000 USD per person
- Dubai Consulate: $2,000 USD per person
Option 3: Mobile Immigration Services Immigration staff can travel to applicants’ locations, with fees covering:
- Immigration staff airfare
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals and incidentals
- Service fees
This tiered approach addresses the logistical challenges of requiring physical presence while providing options for applicants who cannot easily travel to Vanuatu.
The announcement emphasizes that strict adherence to these requirements is necessary, with supporting documents being mandatory for all applicants. This suggests the new system has built-in validation checks that prevent processing applications without complete documentation sets.
The biometric enrollment requirement also indicates that the physical passport production process will incorporate these biometric identifiers, likely through chip-embedded e-passport technology that meets international travel document standards.
Operational Changes
For passport applicants, this represents a significant change in the application process. The mandatory physical presence requirement means applicants can no longer complete their applications remotely, requiring them to visit enrollment stations equipped with the biometric capture technology.
The comprehensive documentation requirements also suggest longer processing times as the system verifies information across multiple databases and agencies.
System Rollout
The May 27, 2025 announcement indicates that Vanuatu’s Immigration and Passport Services is moving forward with full implementation of this biometric e-passport system. The formal notice to DSP/CIIP agents suggests the system is being rolled out to handle these specific categories of passport applications initially.
This e-passport system upgrade aligns with international trends toward enhanced travel document security and biometric identification, positioning Vanuatu’s passport system to meet modern international travel and security standards.
Based on the official announcement from Jeffrey Markson, Director of Vanuatu Immigration & Passport Services, dated May 27, 2025.
Source:
Mattdotvu 
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