South African passports go live

 

South Africa’s Government Printing Works has confirmed that production of the country’s new passport has now started.

The new travel document will feature the passport holder’s biographical data laser-engraved onto a polycarbonate passport page. The passport also has a fine line security background design depicting the Big Five animals.

According to Trüb (one of the project’s suppliers), the datapage is made of fused polycarbonate layers and is laid out for high resolution laser personalisation including tactile laser engraving. “This product and its production method have the added advantage that any tampering with the datapage leaves visible traces on the document,” says the company.

According to local reports, fingerprinting will be used to confirm the identity of passport applicants.