Albania: The biometric identity card; its appearance, use and the biometric data stored on it; requirements and procedures to obtain a biometric identity card within Albania; whether it can be replaced and renewed from abroad, including requirements and procedures

Media sources report that in November 2008, state authorities compiled an electronic national data register as a preliminary step to issuing biometric identity cards (ATA 27 Nov. 2008; Reuters 3 Nov. 2008). According to the Interior Minister, data was transferred from old ledgers into the national electronic database, which was, in turn, connected to a network of 340 civil registry offices and 400 application centres throughout Albania (ibid.). The Deputy Minster of the Interior, as reported by the news agency Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), announced the completion of the new national electronic register on 27 November 2008 (ATA 27 Nov. 2008).

Sources indicate that in January 2009, the Albanian government began issuing new biometric identity cards [letërnjoftimi (Albania n.d.c)] throughout Albania (SETimes 20 Jan. 2009; EU 14 Oct. 2009, para. 4.3.1; ATA 24 July 2009). The ATA reports that, as of 24 July 2009, over 1.3 million applications for biometric identity cards had been processed (ibid.). An official at the Embassy of Albania in Ottawa stated, in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, that as of September 2011, at least 2 million people have been issued the biometric identity card (Albania 7 Sept. 2011). A report produced by Albania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that verification of an applicant's biometric data complies with International Civil Aviation Organization standards (Albania 16 Nov. 2009, 3).

According to the Southeast European Times (SETimes), a regional media source sponsored by the United States European Command (30 Dec. 2005), the biometric identity cards contain "fingerprints, general information and a digital photo[graph] of the card-holder" (20 Jan. 2009). In addition to the card-holder's photograph and signature, the card includes the following information fields: surname, given name, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, date of issue, issuing authority, card number, gender of the card-holder, date of expiry and personal number (Albania n.d.c). The names of the fields are written in both Albanian and English (ibid.). See photos of a sample identity card from the Albanian Ministry of Interior's website in the attachment to this Response.

Albanian state authorities indicate that all Albanian citizens 16 years of age and over are required to have a biometric identity card (Albania n.d.b). Media sources report that to ensure citizens applied for the biometric identity card, the government said it would withhold wages from public service employees and pensions from retired people (SETimes 20 Jan. 2009; BIRN13 Jan. 2009). Students were also given a deadline by which they had to have applied for the new card or they would not be allowed to take final exams (ibid.) or enrol in schools and universities (SETimes 20 Jan. 2009). The embassy official reiterated that the biometric identity card is a requirement in Albania, that it has replaced the former identity card and that it is in wide use (Albania 7 Sept. 2011). The biometric identity card is reportedly valid for 10 years (SETimes 20 Jan. 2009) and costs 10 euros [13.59 Canadian dollars (XE.com 21 Sept. 2011)] (ibid.; BIRN 13 Jan. 2009).

Media sources note that the government's objectives in issuing the new identity card include preventing voter fraud (SETimes 20 Jan. 2009; Reuters 3 Nov. 2008) and providing Albanians with "tamper-proof documents" that meet European Union standards (ibid.).

Procedure

According to information posted on an Albanian government website, people apply for biometric identity cards at the application centres of "local government units" (Albania n.d.a). Media sources report that the first application centres opened in Tirana in December 2008 (ATA 17 Dec. 2008), and that on 12 January 2009, 400 centres opened nationwide (SE Times 20 Jan. 2009). As of July 2009, there were reportedly 470 application centres (ATA 24 July 2009). According to the SETimes, the centres are managed by Sagem Security, a French company that won the tender to process the identity cards (20 Jan. 2009). Albanians applying for identity cards are required to submit a valid identity document containing a photograph, such as a passport, a personal certificate, a patent, or an old identity card (Albania n.d.a). They are also required to submit an "application coupon," a type of payment coupon (ibid.) that can be purchased at an Albanian post office (ibid.; ATA 24 July 2009). When issued, the identity card can only be picked up by the applicant in person at the application office (Albania n.d.a).

Procedure for applying from abroad

The Albanian embassy official indicated that Albanian embassies in Greece and Italy can process applications for biometric identity cards to Albanian citizens living in those two countries (Albania 29 Aug. 2011). The official indicated that the process to obtain a biometric identity card at the embassies in Greece and Italy followed the "same general procedure" as that in Albania (ibid.). Details on the procedure could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The official noted that Albanians residing in other countries, such as Canada, can apply for biometric identity cards only by returning to Albania, since they must be fingerprinted and photographed on site (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Albania. 7 September 2011. Embassy of Albania, Ottawa. Telephone interview with the Consul by the Research Directorate.

_____. 29 August 2011. Embassy of Albania, Ottawa. Telephone interview with the Consul by the Research Directorate.

_____. 16 November 2009. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visa Liberalsation Dialogue: Second Readiness Report on the Implementation by Albania of the Roadmap for Visa Liberalisation. [Accessed 16 Aug. 2011]

_____. N.d.a. e-Albania. "Application for Electronic Identity Card." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2011]

_____. N.d.b. e-Albania. "Application for Identity Documents." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2011]

_____. N.d.c. Ministry of Interior. "Letërnjoftimi." [Accessed 23 Aug. 2011]

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). 24 July 2009. Mira Shkuta. "Albanian Post: Over 1.3 Million Applications for ID Cards, 55 Thousand Applications for Biometric Passports." (Factiva)

_____. 17 December 2008. Maela Marini. "Berisha-ID Cards--Citizens Registration Centers to Open Today in Tirana." (Factiva)

_____. 27 November 2008. Mira Shkurta. "National Register of Citizens Presented." (Factiva)

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). 13 January 2009. "Albania Issues New IDs, Biometric Passports." Balkan Insight. [Accessed 12 Aug. 2011]

European Union (EU). 14 October 2009. European Commission. Albania 2009 Progress Report. (COM [2009] 533) [Accessed 16 Aug. 2011]

Reuters. 3 November 2008. Benet Koleka. "Interview--Albania to Get Secure IDs for Easy Travel, Polls." (Factiva)

Southeast European Times (SETimes). 20 January 2009. Jonilda Koci. "Albania's ID Cards Key to Visa Regime, Elections." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2011]

_____. 30 December 2005. "About This Site." [Accessed 20 Sept. 2011]

XE.com. 21 September 2011. "Currency Converter Widget." [Accessed 21 Sept. 2011]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: European Country of Origin Information Network, Factiva, Legislationline, United Nations Refworld, United States Department of State.

Attachment

Albania. N.d. Ministry of Interior. "Letërnjoftimi." [Accessed 23 Aug. 2011]