Embassy of Lebanon in Kuwait is the first to adopt the biometric fingerprint service for issuing Lebanese passports outside Lebanon
KUWAIT CITY, June 29: Lebanese Interior Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Hajjar confirmed that the Embassy of Lebanon in Kuwait is the first to adopt the biometric fingerprint service for issuing Lebanese passports outside Lebanon. During the launch of the service at the embassy, Hajjar said the project will be gradually rolled out to Lebanese embassies worldwide in the coming months. He explained that the service allows Lebanese citizens abroad to complete their transactions without the need to travel to Lebanon. He stated that the project was developed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Ministry of Finance, and the Lebanese Public Security General Directorate.
He added that the biometric fingerprints will be taken at the embassy and electronically transmitted to the General Directorate of Public Security in Beirut for passport issuance and return to Kuwait for delivery to the passport holder. He disclosed that the service will be available through two ways -- the standard process that takes about three weeks and the fast-track process through DHL, which allows passport delivery within two to three days for an additional fee. He confirmed that the old passport will no longer be valid as of Oct 1, signaling the completion of the transition to the internationally recognized biometric passport. He praised the Kuwaiti authorities’ cooperation in ensuring the success of the project.
He also commended the brotherly relations between the two countries. He shared the message he received from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al- Yousef, that members of the Lebanese community are among the least likely to commit violations, as they are committed to respect the law. On the other hand, Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait Ghadi Khoury affirmed that choosing Kuwait for the launching the service for the first time outside Lebanon reflects the high regard in which it is held by the Lebanese state and people. He stressed that the service will save time and effort for members of the Lebanese community.
He urged Lebanese citizens to take the initiative to replace their old passports, emphasizing that holding the new passport is mandatory, not optional. He added that children under the age of 15 and individuals over the age of 60 are exempted from biometric fingerprinting. He indicated that the embassy will begin operating the service during a trial period without the need for an appointment in order to assess demand. He stated that an appointment booking system will be implemented later if the need arises. He added that it only takes less than 10 minutes to complete the fingerprinting process and submit the application.
