The process of implementing a biometric system in Armenia has entered a new phase, as the French consortium IDEMIA Identity Security France and A.C.I. Technology S.à.r.l. has been declared the winner of the tender, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).

On April 25, Armenia’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Arpine Sargsyan, and Régis Bouché, CEO of HAYPASS LLC, a company created based on the consortium, signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. The contract covers the issuance and distribution of identification documents, as well as the operation and maintenance of the relevant systems. It falls under the “Public-Private Partnership Program for the Issuance of Biometric Passports and Identification Cards in the Republic of Armenia."

HAYPASS LLC plans to establish a new infrastructure by the second half of 2026, including cutting-edge biometric data collection solutions and a new geographic network of modern offices equipped to meet international standards. The project also includes upgrading the central office's facilities, standardizing server infrastructure, and improving printing equipment.

Following the project’s implementation, Armenian citizens and other individuals with legal status in Armenia will be provided with secure and high-quality identification documents, establishing a new standard for personal data protection and legal identity. Within the framework of the division of passport-related functions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Migration and Citizenship Service, will continue managing status determination, identity verification, and the state population register, while the private partner will handle biometric data collection, document printing, and issuance.

"The signing of this contract is an important step in the context of Armenia-EU visa liberalization dialogue, as the existence of a functional and modern biometric system is a mandatory requirement," the statement said.