The mode of our travel has changed a lot in the current, rapidly changing and technologically advanced world. Introduction and wide use of biometric passports is one of the most important changes of the recent years. These next-generation travel documents are currently the worldwide standard of secure identification and border control. So what is a biometric passport anyway and why is it so significant to contemporary travel? We will discuss the meaning of biometric passport, how it operates and the current biometric passport news that you should be aware of in this post.
What is Biometric Passport?
We shall start with the definition of biometric passport. An e-passport or biometric passport is a conventional passport that has an inbuilt electronic microchip. A biometric information is written on this chip and is used to uniquely identify the holder of the passport. Most often, this is a digital image of your face, which works with facial recognition systems, and other biometric data, including fingerprints or an iris scan in other countries.
Electronic scanners in the airports and the border crossings read the embedded chip and can provide a quicker and more accurate identity verification as well as discount the possibility of forgery and identity theft. By 2025, more than 150 countries had implemented biometric passports and they have become a norm in travelling across countries.
The Need of a Biometric Passport Photo
Among the important elements of the biometric passport is the biometric passport photo. As opposed to a normal passport photo, a biometric passport photo must conform to the stringent international standards that are defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Such conditions make the photo a correct image that can be successfully identified by the facial recognition systems and biometric scanners.
The following are some of the major requirements of a biometric passport photograph:
They should be seen clearly with the face straight to the camera.
The backdrop should be simple, and light (generally white or light grey).
Shadows, reflections and red-eye effects are to be avoided.
The picture should be up-to-date (it should be made not more than six months ago).
No accessories such as hats, sunglasses or heavy makeup are allowed, unless necessary due to religious or medical conditions.
You may have your application delayed or rejected in case you do not meet these requirements. In many countries available now are digital photo booths or websites that will check to see if your biometric passport photo is ICAO compliant prior to your submission.
What are the characteristics of the Biometric Passports?
When you check in an international airport and pass your passport through an automated gate, the computer reads the microchip in your passport. The digital data which is mostly your biometric passport picture and other identifying information is compared against the picture taken on site. When the system matches, then you can go ahead.
This procedure greatly reduces the immigration queues, increases security and reduces human error. Biometric gates in most countries are able to process travelers within 20 seconds.
Advantages of the Use of Biometric Passports
The pros of biometric passport will include the following:
Increased Security: Biometric data increases the difficulty of an individual to forge or change a passport.
Quicker Processing: The automated border controls will save time of the travelers.
International Travel: Biometric passports are accepted in almost all the countries and therefore international travel is facilitated.
Identity Verification: Your identity can be verified in the case of you losing your passport or it gets stolen by using your unique biometric data.
Biometric Passport News: What will be new in 2025?
By 2025, the news regarding biometric passport has been updated in the following key ways:
1. New Chip Technologies
Certain nations are rendering next-generation biometric chips that are more encrypted, have better data storage, and are quicker in performance. The chips also have several biometric options such as iris scans, besides the facial recognition.
2. Mobile Integration
Another new development related to biometric passports has been integration of passports with mobile devices. Many nations are testing digital passports on smart phones. These digital credentials may be used in specific border checkpoints with NFC and QR code technology.
3. Wider Facial Recognition
Facial recognition systems are being expanded in airports all over the world, particularly in Europe and Asia. With the biometric passports, travelers no longer have to present their physical documents severally as they move through the terminals.
4. Global Cooperation
The intergovernmental organizations such as ICAO and INTERPOL are cooperating with the international databases to facilitate the international identification and prevent the misuse of the travel documents. This collaboration is making the world more secure without interfering with individual privacy and laws on data protection.
Is Biometric Passport Compulsory?
Although biometric passports are issued by default nowadays in many countries, the question of whether this is required or not depends on your country of citizenship. But in case you are going to visit another country (in particular to the U.S., EU, or U.K.), it is strongly advised to have a biometric passport, as it will be necessary to obtain a visa-free entry.
Final Thoughts
Biometric passport is not another travel document, it is a high-tech security device that is to make international travel safer, faster and more efficient. These passports are considered to be an important element of the modern border control systems, regardless of how strictly the requirements concerning the biometric passport photo are established, or how the chip technology is advanced to store your personal data.
The role of the biometric passports is expected to grow even more as the world is digitizing and automating. Your last trip or the first one to the international destination, being aware of the recent news on biometric passports may make your journey easy.
