MFA Machine Readable Passport Application Bhutan

Name of the Organization : Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Type of Facility : Apply For Machine Readable Passport
Country : Bhutan
Website : http://www.mfa.gov.bt/

MFA Apply for Passport

** Welcome to the Passport Services section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose of this section is to provide you with information and simplify the application process for passports and travel documents.

Related : MFA Visa Application Procedure Bhutan : https://www.statusin.org/2808.html

If you do not find the information you are looking for on this website you can mail your query to passport AT mfa.gov.bt.

** With the introduction of machine readable passports the Passport Section is committed towards providing a more efficient service to the public.

As part of this exercise Passport Section service timings from Monday to Friday shall be as follows effective 6th March 2006 :
** 9 :00 am to 12:30 pm – Submission of application forms
** 2 :00 pm to 5:00 pm (summer) – Issue of passport (please check the date of collection of your passport on your receipt)
** 2 :00 pm to 4:00 pm (winter)

Note :
The Passport Section is closed on government holidays.

Features of the New Passport

** The cover of the booklets features a gold-foil embossing of the crest of the Royal Government while the inside incorporates traditional designs.

The personal data page contains the identification details of the bearer and includes:
1. A digitalized photograph of the holder embedded in to the page.
2. Secondary image (ghost image)
3. Invisible fluorescent imprint of the Raven Crown
4. Multi-tone mould made water mark.
5. Security laminate

6. Machine readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the page which contains mandatory identity elements (bearer’s personal & passport details) that is read by special readers at airports. All the information on the data page can also be read by the human eye.

Note :
The personal details of the applicant is verified and entered in to the Passport Database. The personal data page on the passport is then printed and security laminated on special passport printers and laminators.

The personal data page is then visually inspected while the machine readable zone is read on two different travel document readers for quality assurance.

Apply For a Passport

All Bhutanese citizens are entitled to apply for a passport. To apply for a passport you must go in person to the Passport Section, Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its nearest diplomatic mission.

Requirements for an ordinary passport

** Application form completely filled. Please note that the Passport Section will not accept incomplete applications forms.

** Passport-size photograph affixed to the application form. The photograph must not be more than six months old, 45 mm x 35 mm with the facial image taking up 70-80% of the photograph, taken with a white background and without border.

** Fee of Nu. 1000/-
** A photocopy of citizenship identity card or identity documents issued by the Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs, along with the original documents for verification purposes.
** Security Clearance Certificate (SCC) from the Royal Bhutan Police.

Requirements for Diplomatic & Official Passport

** Application and release form completely filled. Please note that the Passport Section will not accept incomplete forms.

** Passport-size photograph affixed to the application form. The photograph must not be more than six months old, 45 mm x 35 mm with the facial image taking up 70-80% of the photograph, taken with a white background and without border.

** A photocopy of citizenship identity card issued by the Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs, along with the original documents for verification purposes.

** An official letter of request for issue of passport from the Head of Organization/Department/Ministry concerned, stating the purpose of travel. Where necessary clearance from the Royal Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall also be required.

Requirements for Release of Diplomatic or Official Passport

** Release form completely filled. Please note that Passport Section will not accept an incomplete form.

** An official letter of request for issue of passport from the Head of Organization/Department/Ministry concerned, stating the purpose of travel. Where necessary clearance from the Royal Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall also be required.

Note :
** In addition, the Passport Section shall collect your fingerprint the first time you apply for a new machine readable passport.
** The passport section reserves the right to request additional documents and information to support the application

Fees

The following fees shall be applicable :
Ordinary passport = Nu. 1,000/-
Travel Document = Nu. 1,000/-
Ordinary passport for children (below 18 years) = Nu. 800/-
Official or diplomatic passport = No charge
Emergency passport = Nu. 1,000/-
Loss/Damage fine for passport = Nu. 5,000/-
Renewal (older generation hand written passports) = Nu. 1,000/-

Photograph Requirements

Your passport application must be affixed with a recent passport photograph (not more than six months old). The size of the photograph should be 45 mm x 35 mm with your facial image taking up 70 to 80 % of the photograph, taken with a white background and without border.

The photograph must :
** show you looking directly at the camera. No looking over one shoulder (portrait style).
** show eyes open and clearly visible. If you wear glasses there should be no flash reflection, no tinted lenses and the frames should not cover any part of your eyes.

** be in sharp focus and clear – no shadows.
** be of high quality with no ink marks or creases. Photographs taken with a digital camera must be printed on photo-quality paper.

** be clean with no smudge marks.
** be glued and not stapled or pinned to the application form.

Note :
Your passport photograph is the primary form of identification and following these minimum ICAO standards would facilitate proper identification at immigration checks while avoiding the need for the Passport Section to ask you to resubmit your photograph.

Download Form : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/2795…eldocument.pdf

Additional Simplified Procedure

You can apply for a machine readable passport (MRP) in Bhutan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade’s (MoFAT) website.

Here are the steps involved:
1. Go to the MoFAT website at https://www.mfa.gov.bt/passport/.
2. Click on the “Apply for MRP” tab.
3. Create an account and log in.
4. Select the type of MRP you are applying for.
5. Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
6. Pay the application fee of Nu. 1000.00.
7. Submit your application.

The required documents for an MRP application are:
** Application form
** Copy of citizenship identity card or identity document issued by the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
** Valid online Security Clearance Certificate
** Most recent passport-size photograph

Note:
The application fee can be paid online using a credit card or debit card. The processing time for an MRP application is typically 2 weeks. You will be notified of the outcome of your application by email. You can also apply for an MRP in person at the Passport Section of the MoFAT. However, the application process is more complicated and it may take longer to get your MRP.

Here are some of the requirements for applying for an MRP in person at the MoFAT:
** You must have a valid citizenship identity card or identity document issued by the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.
** You must have a valid online Security Clearance Certificate.
** You must bring your original passport-size photograph.
** You must pay the application fee of Nu. 1000.00 in cash.

Note:
The processing time for an MRP application at the MoFAT is typically 1 month.