"The ROP's special team is working on the project. By the end of this year, the machine readable passports will be replaced with ePassports which cannot be forged," an official at the ROP pavilion in Comex told Times of Oman.
According to the official, the ePassport will have an electronic chip which is fully compliant with the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and globally interoperable. "It will also have several security elements incorporated with high security standards like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and other features," the official added.
The electronic chip embedded in the ePassports will store the passport-holder's personal information, photo, biometric information and digital security features.
Contract
In 2012, the ROP signed a contract with a German consulting firm for the ePassport project and in the beginning of 2013, the expertise of a global firm was sought to provide citizens with enhanced services and protection of ePassport technology.
According to reports, a delegation from the ROP took part in a workshop on ePassport project in Finland last month, where a number of experts representing government and private agencies of different countries also participated.
Meanwhile, the ROP is also working on a project to implement eVISA facility for expatriates, an official claimed.
The eVISA system is a web-based system that allows online visa applications, visa processing, visa fee payment, issue of visa clearance and printing of visa issued. "A team is working on implementing the eVISA facility for expatriates. All kinds of visas, like job, tourist, visit, and business will be issued electronically," the official added.
According to the official, a sponsor or a company can apply for a visa required for an expatriate using a personal computer or office computer without visiting the ROP offices. "The payments can be made electronically and the eVISA will be issued electronically," the official added.
According to the ROP, the general objectives of the eVISA are to simplify the procedures of obtaining a visa; enhancing the security procedures for the visitors before they arrive, during their stay and departure; building a database for visitor traffic for the purpose of statistical planning and economic development; easing communication between authorities involved and; moreover, improving mechanism for collecting fee through the automated payment gateway.
From January 1 this year, an eLINK between ROP and Ministry of Manpower was also established to reduce the time and effort that applicants have to put in for visas. The measure is aimed at streamlining the procedures, ensuring high accuracy, and quick processing of the data at both the organisations. The service also includes issuance of labour visas electronically.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Rejimon K
Quelle/Source: Times of Oman, 14.04.2014
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