Technical Malfunction Delays Biometric Passport Issuance Across Israel
A malfunction in biometric passport printing machines has extended waiting times in Israel to eight weeks. The Population and Immigration Authority flew in a German technician for repairs.
Securing an appointment to issue a passport has become an extremely difficult task since the COVID-19 pandemic, with central district offices facing severe shortages. Citizens urgently needing a passport are forced to travel across the country to find available slots.
Compounding these bureaucratic hurdles, a technical malfunction in one of the biometric passport printing machines has led to further delays. Waiting times have jumped from the usual four to six weeks to approximately eight weeks, amounting to nearly two months.
The Population and Immigration Authority brought in an expert technician from Germany to repair the machinery. However, the issue remains unresolved, raising concerns about potential further delays as the summer travel season approaches.
An Israeli citizen waiting for her document noted that finding an appointment was already a strenuous process. The Population and Immigration Authority director-general stated that efforts are underway and expressed hope that the backlog will be cleared within three weeks.
