Keeping security at its forefront, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, have now started to process biometric passports, i.e. travel documents and visas which carry fingerprints ,for all the diplomatic and civil servants. The said step is formulated in order to protect against fraud and forgery, thereby making it easier to check that the person submitting the document is also the rightful holder. Alternatively, this initiative will make it more difficult to falsify passports or use someone else's passport. Prior to this, the passports of Netherlands had a built-in electronic chip containing the personal details of the holder and a digitized passport photograph. As of now, the same chip will also contain a digitized image of the holder's finger prints, which will make it possible to compare the printed information via electronically, with the passport holder's features. The improvement in security protection provided by biometric information is in the interests of both government and the citizen. Dutch nationals living abroad can apply for a passport at a Dutch embassy or at most consulates. It doesn't matter if anyone lives in the region served by the embassy or is only there temporarily. Visit - http://www.minbuza.nl