Passport Printing Machine Malfunction Causes Further Delays for Israelis

The process of obtaining a passport in Israel, already challenging since the COVID-19 pandemic, is facing additional delays due to a malfunction in one of the biometric passport printing machines. Obtaining an appointment at the Population and Immigration Authority offices, particularly in central Israel, has become extremely difficult, forcing many to travel across the country in search of available slots.

Previously, the waiting time for a passport was between four to six weeks. However, the current technical issue has extended this period to approximately eight weeks, or about two months, from the time of application. The authority has brought in an expert technician from Germany to repair the machine, but as of now, the problem remains unresolved.

There is concern that waiting times could increase further, compounding the existing difficulties Israelis face when planning international travel. One applicant, 'A', expressed her worry, noting that while she initially dismissed online complaints about delays as isolated incidents, the news of a technical fault is concerning. She is already worried about the extended wait, especially given the ongoing security situation.

The Director General of the Population and Immigration Authority acknowledged the malfunction and the presence of the German technician working on a solution. He expressed hope that the backlog could be cleared within three weeks, noting that the standard passport issuance time is usually six weeks, now extended to eight.