French consortium to overhaul Armenia’s biometric passport system

A French consortium consisting of DEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à.r.l., which recently won a government tender, will be responsible for collecting biometric data of Armenian citizens, as well as printing and issuing new passports.

A new closed joint-stock company called HAYPASS has been established to oversee the production of identity documents, promising "a new threshold of personal data protection and legal identity standards", Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Armine Sarkissian, and Régis Bouchier, Executive Director of the consortium, formalised the partnership. The project is viewed as a significant step in Armenia’s ongoing dialogue with the European Union on visa liberalisation. According to a statement from the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs, having a modern and functional biometric system is a mandatory requirement under this dialogue process.

It was announced that by the second half of 2026, HAYPASS will deploy new infrastructure that includes updated biometric data collection systems and modern offices equipped with technical facilities that meet international standards. Additionally, efforts will be made to standardise server infrastructure and printing equipment to ensure full compliance with global best practices.

Despite these developments, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will retain key powers, including the authority to determine the status of individuals, verify personal identities, and manage the state population registry.

By Tamilla Hasanova