Iran Streamlines National ID Card System to Accelerate Issuance and Reduce Import Dependency
Iran is implementing a comprehensive overhaul of its national ID card system, designed to significantly speed up issuance times and reduce reliance on imported materials. The new strategy involves key physical changes to the card itself and an expansion of services for citizens abroad.
A Multi-Ministry Effort
The production of the national ID card is a complex process involving three key government ministries. The physical card body is manufactured by the state printing company under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance. The embedded chip is installed by the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Civil Registration Organization, under the Ministry of Interior, personalizes each card with the citizen’s biometric and identity data.
Key Changes to the New Card Design
According to Mr. Hashem Kargar, head of the Civil Registration Organization, the new card design has received necessary approvals and features two major physical modifications:
- Chip Removal: Officials have concluded that removing the chip from the card does not present significant security concerns and will greatly accelerate the production process.
- New Domestic Material: The current card body is made from polycarbonate, a material that must be imported. To achieve self-sufficiency and insulate the process from currency fluctuations and external factors, the new cards will be produced using PVC, which can be sourced domestically.
Addressing the Backlog and Expanding Services
Substantial progress has been made in addressing application backlogs. In the previous Iranian year (1401), sufficient funding was allocated, leading to the issuance of millions of cards and reducing the waiting list by 10 million people.
A major advancement has been made for Iranians living abroad. Previously, they were required to travel to Iran to apply for a card. Now, they can submit their applications through Iranian embassies and consulates. The Civil Registration Organization processes these requests electronically and dispatches the cards to the relevant diplomatic mission. Fifty-one embassies and consulates are now equipped to handle these applications.
Current Statistics and Capacity
The organization provided the following data on the national ID card program:
- 70 million total applications for the smart national card have been received.
- 64 million cards have been issued and delivered.
- 6 million applicants are currently in the queue.
- The monthly issuance capacity stands at 2 to 2.2 million cards.
- Under ideal conditions, the process from application to issuance can be completed within 20 days.
Mr. Kargar emphasized that with a consistent supply of cards from manufacturing partners, the organization has the capacity to exceed demand and clear existing backlogs efficiently, continuing the positive trend of the previous year.
