Waiting for a passport? Glitch delays passport issuance

The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority (PIA) is facing significant delays in passport issuance due to both increased demand and technical glitches. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining a passport typically took four to six weeks, but recent disruptions have stretched that time to around eight weeks, nearly two months from submission.

Population and Immigration Authority bureaus in central Israel are reporting a shortage of available appointment slots, forcing individuals, especially those needing passports urgently, to travel extensive distances to secure a convenient location. This compounded stress is further exacerbated by a malfunction in one of the biometric passport personalization machines. The malfunction, which has not yet been resolved, is adding to the backlog.

An expert technician was urgently flown in from Germany to address the machine issue, but as of now, the malfunction remains unresolved. This technical setback is particularly concerning for Israelis who have already faced long wait times to obtain their passports. One individual, referred to as "A.", expressed frustration and concern, noting that the passport delay has been attributed to a malfunction.

A's experience mirrors the broader issue of appointment availability across Israeli bureaus, leading to an increased anxiety about the already lengthy waiting period.

The PIA's director-general acknowledges the malfunction but does not provide a definitive timeline for resolution. He mentioned that the technician's efforts are underway, hoping to clear the backlog within approximately three weeks. Typically, passport issuance would take six weeks, but the current situation sees this duration extended to eight weeks.