How Do You Use A Biometric Passport: For years, people relied on paper passports for international travel identification. Then in 2005, a major shift occurred as countries started implementing the high-tech biometric e-Passport, revolutionising the way we travel.
The latest e-Passport is significantly more efficient and secure compared to the traditional paper-only passport. It incorporates advanced biometric security measures and identification information. Since 2005, more than 150 countries have embraced this biometric passport, commonly referred to as the e-Passport, making it a widely utilised travel document today.
In this article, we will go through the world of biometric passports. You will discover what they are, how they function, the robust security infrastructure supporting them, and where you can obtain your very own. By the time you finish reading, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the biometric passport and appreciate its numerous advantages as a reliable identification standard.
How Do You Use A Biometric Passport
- Biometric passports feature a microprocessor chip securely embedded within
- The chip holds specific and unique information about the passport holder
- It primarily stores the digital image of the passport holder
- During scanning at an e-border, the digital image is compared to biometric data
- Travellers must look into a screen during scanning for facial measurements cross-referencing
- E-passport chip uses digital signature technology for authentication
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology is employed for data safeguarding
- PKI encryption key enhances overall passport security
What exactly is a biometric passport?
An e-passport, also known as a biometric passport, is a cutting-edge travel document equipped with a microchip that securely stores personalised biometric details. This technologically advanced passport ensures utmost sophistication and protection. The RFID microchip is discreetly embedded within the passport, often being so tiny that it goes unnoticed. Passports are indispensable for international travel, serving as a vital tool to verify your identity.
A biometric passport enhances security measures by incorporating distinct biometric data such as facial mapping, fingerprints, or iris scans. These biometrics are individual physical traits that can be employed to verify one’s identity.
The e-Passport commonly stores popular biographical details such as:
- Your fingerprints can be used to identify you through fingerprint recognition
- The unique characteristics or a pattern of your face can be used for facial recognition
- A thorough scan of your eye can be utilised for iris recognition
Source: Homeland Security
Advantages of a biometric passport
E-passports are user-friendly and convenient. By electronically linking waivers and visas to the biometric passport, there is less need for paper documents to print and carry. This makes it simpler to stay organized. Additionally, these passports can be scanned, reducing wait times in lines for passport checks. Many countries with biometric passports have electronic gates that quickly verify your identity by reading the passport’s chip, eliminating the need for manual checks.
The primary strength of a biometric passport lies in its heightened security measures. Biometrics are unique to each individual, making it exceedingly difficult to forge, breach, or steal. This is particularly crucial in light of the alarming number of identity theft and fraud incidents, with the FTC identifying a staggering 4.7 million reports in 2020 alone. The technologically advanced chip embedded in an e-passport employs enhanced security features to prevent unauthorized reading or data “skimming.” Homeland Security outlines the following advantages of an e-passport:
- Preventing identity theft
- Ensuring passport holder’s security
- Safeguarding privacy
- Making it more difficult to alter or forge for illegal entry into the country
Regular passport vs. biometric passport
A regular or standard passport, as well as a biometric passport, hold your essential identification details. However, the distinction lies in the e-passport’s chip, which also stores biometric information. Unlike regular passports, biometric passports can be conveniently scanned from a close range, eliminating the need for mechanical or manual reading.
Since August 2007, all passports issued in the United States have been upgraded to electronic passports. These passports now come with a special integrated chip embedded into the back cover of the passport book. This chip has a unique identification number and enables contactless reading of the information by specialized chip readers at a close distance.
Data stored in a biometric passport
- Complete name
- Birth date
- Image (commonly in a biometric format, like a 3D face map for facial recognition)
- Personal details, like place of birth
- Biometric data, like fingerprints or iris scans
- Distinct chip ID number
- Electronic signature for data security.
Biometric passport security
Biometric passports issued by the United States of America and countries participating in the USA Visa Waiver Program (VWP) incorporate advanced security measures to safeguard against unauthorized access to the data stored on the embedded chip. These security features play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and privacy of the information contained within biometric passports.
- Active Authentication (AA): safeguards passport data by preventing unauthorized copying or cloning attempts.
- Passive Authentication (PA): detects any unauthorized alterations or modifications made to the data stored on the chip.
- Extended Access Control (EAC): offers advanced security features such as biometric data verification, ensuring the authenticity of both the chip and the reader.
- Basic Access Control (BAC): enhances security by encrypting data transmitted between the chip and the reader, adding a layer of protection.
- Passive Authentication (PA): detects any unauthorized alterations or modifications made to the data stored on the chip.
- Metallic Mesh: provides a shield around the chip, preventing unauthorized access and reading of sensitive information.
- Random identification: assigns unique chip numbers to each request, making it impossible to trace or track the chip’s movements.
What countries are using biometric passport?
E-passports are being implemented by numerous countries globally, and in certain cases, they are mandatory for entry. The United States, for instance, obliges travelers entering the country via the Visa Waiver Program to possess and utilise an e-passport. Slovakia is among the countries that have been utilizing biometric passports for many years.
Travelers planning to visit Europe post-2022 must possess a biometric passport and secure an ETIAS visa waiver. The process involves completing an online form with personal details and security queries. Once approved, the waiver can be electronically linked to the biometric passport, streamlining the travel experience.
About The Author
