By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – The government of Saint Lucia has confirmed that the cost of the new electronic passport “shall stand at the initially proposed EC$250 per passport for a period of five years” adding “the e-passport goes live on Monday, July 25.”
The government announcement will be followed by the gazetting of a Statutory Instrument and thereafter, the relevant amendments to the Passport Act, caption 10.03 shall come into force.
The new e-passport schedule is said to reflect as follows:
“The e-passport is at $250; the replacement of passport before the expiry date is at $300; expedited or emergency services remains unchanged at $50; issuance of collective travel documents is at $75; issuance of certificate of identity remains at $50. Permits for each extension of residence not exceeding 30 days is at $200; live image capture is at $10, and certification and endorsements is at $20.”
According to the department of home affairs, in a statement Thursday:
“ The approval for the amendment of passport fees came after cabinet met on Monday, July 11,” affirming, “the government of Saint Lucia has been working with its trusted partner, Canadian Bank Note Company Limited (CBN) on this over USD$3 million project.
“The new electronic passport features the latest technology in anti-counterfeit security measures, contains a microchip that is embedded in the rear cover of the booklet and adheres to modern international travel standards.”
The Government Information Service (GIS) July 8, 2022, said:
“New Border Management system to facilitate paperless entry into Saint Lucia and the upcoming electronic Saint Lucian passports will mean a reduction in the use of physical travel documents.”
