He said that there are numerous technical and logistical issues to address before the e-passports arrive in mid-October. Until then, the department must manage the existing stock.

However, the immigration department is issuing passports to individuals with urgent travel needs, he said.

Minister Alles also said that in the past, only 30 per cent of issued passports were used, with the rest being obtained for safekeeping. Currently, the department is issuing 1,000 passports per day to meet urgent requirements.

The department is making every effort to begin issuing e-passports by mid-October. If the e-passport system is not ready by then, normal passports will continue to be issued to applicants.