The purpose of this initiative is to implement the issuance and use of the electronic passport in order to advance towards standardization with other countries, improve the security level of the document and respond to the requirements of international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (OACI, by its acronym in spanish). In the Dominican Republic, the institution responsible for issuing official and ordinary passports is the General Directorate of Passports. This institution has made available thirty-six (36) centers for passport acquisition procedures for Dominican citizens. For citizens residing in the country, thirteen (13) offices or centers have been established nationwide located in: Santo Domingo (central headquarters), Zona Oriental, Punto Gobierno Sambil, Santiago, San Pedro de Macorís, Barahona, Puerto Plata, Nagua, Monte Cristi, La Vega, Higüey, and Azua. Meanwhile, Dominican citizens residing abroad can go to an authorized Dominican consulate located in the following locations: Valencia, Barcelona, Boston, Panama, St. Maarten, Hamburg, Madrid, Genoa, Miami, Milan, Puerto Rico, Zurich, New York, Canada, Los Angeles, Guadeloupe, Montreal, Aruba, Washington, Curacao, Antigua and Barbuda, Rome, and Chile.