Video: The Process of Implementing Biometric Passport System in Armenia to Begin Next Year

The process of implementing a new system for identification cards and biometric passports in Armenia will start in March of next year, when the winner of the tender will be announced. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Arpine Sargsyan, during a government meeting while presenting the project to extend the deadline for the second phase of the tender.

"The project pertains to the implementation of a program that provides Armenian citizens with identification cards and biometric passports in a new format under a state-private partnership framework. This project regulates issues related to the second main phase of the tender, which will allow for a higher quality execution of the process and the selection of the best supplier who will be able to provide services to our citizens," said Sargsyan.

According to her, the introduction of the system is a crucial pillar in the context of the dialogue with the EU on visa liberalization. "We are planning security regulations within the framework of biometric documents and data security that will meet high standards," emphasized Sargsyan.

She also mentioned that the private companies that won the first phase would receive the state's proposals in September of this year. "By the end of the year, the private companies will have the opportunity to present their final projects. We will begin the evaluation process at the beginning of 2025, and if everything goes smoothly without facing appeals and other technical obstacles, we will have a winning company by March 2025, followed by signing a contract. I want to note that the company will have up to one year to bring the infrastructure to the condition required by the contract and, accordingly, will be able to provide services within this program for a period of 10 years," concluded Sargsyan.

The private company will have up to one year to bring the infrastructure to the standards expected by the contract. The service is expected to be provided starting from March 2026.