Minister: Launch of new biometric system scheduled for fall 2026

ArmInfo. How will the transition from the current biometric ID system to the new model be organized?

In an interview with CivilNet, Interior Minister Arpine  Sargsyan detailed how and according to what schedule the transition  to a system of biometric passports and other ID cards that fully  comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)  standards will be organized.

The minister noted that the launch of the new biometric system is  scheduled for the fall of  2026.  "Our citizens will soon be able to  use the new biometric ID system. We've talked about this program  repeatedly in recent years, and today I can say that its launch is  truly near. Operations with the biometric system will begin this  fall. During the first phase, 14 service centers will open, and by  March next year, their number will reach 23. Here, citizens will not  only receive new biometric documents but will also be able to take  advantage of a completely new and modern service culture," noted  Arpine Sargsyan.

According to the minister, after the launch of the new system, all ID  cards issued by the Republic of Armenia will be biometric. Old-style  documents will no longer be produced. At the same time, citizens with  a valid passport will not be required to immediately replace them  with a new biometric passport. Old- style documents will remain valid  until their expiration date, and citizens will be able to replace  them earlier if they wish. If a passport is damaged, lost, has visa  pages filled in, or needs to be replaced for any other reason before  its expiration date, the citizen will be issued a new biometric  document.

"Passports that do not meet ICAO standards will be gradually phased  out. We have not chosen any harsh or inconvenient solutions for  citizens. No deadline has been set at this time, but it is natural  that, at some point, only passports that meet ICAO standards will  remain in circulation in the Republic of Armenia. This is an  internationally recognized standard, and we are consistently moving  in this direction," the Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized.