EXCLUSIVE: Malta’s Passports Are Getting A New Look, And Here’s What We’d Love To See
Malta is set to get a brand new passport, featuring everything from an improved security system to personal details listed in the form of a laser-engraved card. But one particular new feature has captured our attention… and our imagination’s already running wild.
Included in the new passport will be “images of the Maltese patrimony”, printed in special ink on the inside pages of the document for extra security purposes. But beyond these security purposes, we were very curious to see which images will be making it to the final booklet. And we can’t lie; there are a couple of scenes we definitely want to see.
Here are seven iconic images we’d like to have on our new passport.
1. The Azure Window
Y’all know we had to start with the legend.
Gozo’s postcard highlight might have disappeared from the face of the Earth literally overnight after a storm hit the islands back in March 2017, but it’ll live in our hearts forever.
And this is the perfect opportunity for it to live on in one of the most important documents you’ll ever own.
2. The Valletta Skyline
Show any local a silhouette of our capital’s skyline, and they’ll instantly recognise it (and probably proudly beam at it).
Informally known as “the one with the church dome and the pointy steeple”, an image of the Valletta skyline needs to be immortalised on Malta’s new passports.
3. The Megalithic Temples
Older than Egypt’s pyramids or anything else the world hypes up, Malta’s temples are our pride and joy.
If the menhirs and dolmens don’t make it to the passport, then what will?
4. Mdina
Medieval, perched atop a hill and looking like something straight out of Game of Thrones (after all, it did star on the legendary TV series)?
Mdina is #PatrimonyGoals.
5. Gozo’s Lighthouse
Ta’ Ġurdan is one of the furthest points on the islands, but it’s the highlight of many an Instagram post and serene Sunday walks in the countryside.
Known as Il-Fanal tal-Ġordan, the lighthouse was built in the 1850s, commanding the northeastern coast of Malta’s sister island Gozo.
Whether it’s because we don’t have many lighthouses around Malta or because this particular one is so picturesque, Ta’ Ġurdan is definitely one of the island’s hidden gems.
6. A Luzzu
A silhouette as recognisable as it is classic, Malta’s luzzus have been a colourful staple of generations of islanders.
The hand-painted eye of Osiris could definitely make it to the passports, but so could the pointy outline of the actual boat with those vibrant blues and yellows.
This new changeover will happen gradually, with the first of these new passports expected to be in circulation this month.
Amongst the new features introduced:
- One’s personal details will be safely captured on a polycarbonate bio-data page, which will make it extremely difficult to forge or tamper with, without leaving signs of attack.
SNEAK PEEK: Two of the official new designs!
- The inner visa pages will depict intricate imagery of renowned Maltese landmarks, customs and traditions which will include the Cittadella in Gozo and the Manoel Theatre, amongst others and we have the scoop.
Citadella, Gozo.
Manoel Theatre, Valletta.
Unlike what had happened with Malta’s ID card overhaul back in 2014, introducing the new passports is set to be way more gradual.
When your current passport expires (or if it’s your first time applying for one), the new passport will be issued. With the production and software testing of the new epassport coming to an end, the new travel document is expected to come into circulation this month.
The new travel document will be issued at no additional cost when applying for a new passport or renewing your existing one, which means that there will be no additional charges on top of standard fees.
In the meantime, it’s time to start guessing which Maltese icons will make it to the new passports!
Which images do you think will make it to Malta’s passports? Let us know in the comments below!
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