The Passport Office issues Maltese passports to Maltese citizens and provides assistance to Maltese embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates around the world. The first Maltese biometric passport was issued on September 30, 2008, bringing Malta into compliance with EU legislation as well as the US Visa Waiver Program. Following that, on June 28, 2010, the Malta Passport Office started the process of collecting fingerprints from applicants in accordance with EC Regulation No. 2252/2004. Malta introduced the new generation ePassport in 2019, with layers of highly sophisticated security features using cutting-edge technology, making counterfeits extremely difficult to forge or tamper with, and making the travel document even more secure.