The Uruguayan government has backtracked on a decision to issue passports without information about the holders’ birthplace.
The country’s latest passports, which were first issued in April, saw the field of “Nationality” replaced by “Nationality/Citizenship,” and the removal of the “Birthplace” field.
It was the latter decision which sparked the greatest concern among overseas states.
Germany announced that Uruguayans with these passports would not be allowed to the country, “even for short stays,” while France declared that it was “unable to accept visa applications” from Uruguayans holding these passports.
Japan had also said it was “highly probable” that Uruguayans with the latest passport would be denied entry from the country, advising them to consult the embassy before travelling. This came despite claims by the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Lubetkin, that Japan had already begun to accept the new documents.
Read more: Germany rejects Uruguay’s latest passports
The government has since announced that any Uruguayans issued a passport between April 16 and July 29 will receive a free replacement, with a “tiered system” prioritizing “those who plan to travel abroad soon.”
The government maintains in its statement that the disused passport format was “in accordance with the current regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization,” adding that the latest passports “have been used by citizens […] without problems, for tourism purposes in Europe and around the world.”
However, the statement does acknowledge that difficulties arose in two countries regarding the issuance of long-term visas for Uruguayan holders of the new passport, prompting the government to revert to the original passport format which is “internationally valid and recognized.”
The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Home Office have confirmed that they will continue “consulting with the relevant international organizations, the country’s political system, civil society, and other relevant actors” in order to ensure that documents meet relevant criteria, prevent
Featured image credit:
Image: Uruguay airport
Photographer: Andrés Franchi Ugartemendía
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:URUGUAY,BIENVENIDO_AL_MUNDO._Aeropuerto_Internacional_de_Carrasco–panoramio%281%29.jpg
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
