The Romanians living abroad could get their new passports faster if the solutions proposed by the Ministry of Interior (MAI) come into force.

For example, police officers from local passport structures could be temporarily sent to diplomatic missions or consular offices of Romania abroad, a measure that would lead to a faster issuance of passports, according to a draft Emergency Ordinance the ministry has put up for public debate on its website.

This measure is part of the administrative and legislative steps announced in November last year, aimed at “optimizing the activity of receiving and issuing of passports,” according to a press release from MAI. This measure would be especially helpful in the summer months when the passport offices in Romania get very crowded. Some of those who want new travel documents are working abroad and come back to Romania to change their passports during their summer break while others need passports for their holidays abroad.

The project stipulates that the sending of police officers on a temporary mission abroad will be made at the justified request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of these solutions, MAI has prepared a draft project amending the law on the free movement of Romanian citizens abroad, which provides a series of legislative changes regarding the increase of the simple electronic passport’s validity and the clarification of the situations in which a simple temporary passport can be requested. For example, according to the draft law, the simple electronic passport for people aged over 25 will be valid for ten years, up from five years at the present. The same passport for children aged under 12 will be valid for three years, while the travel document for Romanians aged 12 to 25 will have a validity period of five years.

“In the long run, the issuance of passports valid for 10 years will lead to a decrease in requests, which will make the activity more fluid, and will also create a civilized environment for the provision of this public service,” reads the ministry’s press release.

The draft law is to be sent to the Parliament for debate and adoption.

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Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com