Adapting to ePassport

The electronic passport - or ePassport - represents a major shift in passport technology, with the introduction of computer chips and biometrics
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An ePassport is also known as a biometric passport. It looks like a traditional passport book, but it contains an electronic chip that is encoded with the same information found on page 2 of the passport (surname, given name, date of birth, place of birth and gender). It also includes a digital picture of the bearer's face.

The move to the ePassport is about making sure that people applying for and using passports are who they say they are. It is about keeping your identity safe.

The decision to adopt the ePassport follows international trends. Since the ePassport was added to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended practices in 2003, more countries are getting on board every year.

International Milestones :

• 1998: Malaysia becomes the first country to issue an ePassport. However, it is not ICAO-compliant, as ICAO specifications won't exist until 2003.
• 2003: ICAO adopts Machine-Readable Travel Document (MRTD) specifications for a passport that includes an embedded chip containing the bearer's personal identification data and photo.
• 2004: Belgium launches the first ICAO-compliant ePassport.
• 2006: The United States begins issuing ePassports.
• 2009: 57% of all passports issued around the world this year are ePassports (about 60 million).
• 2012: Some 95 countries around the world are issuing ePassports. Nearly 400 million ePassports are in circulation worldwide.

Biometrics explained :

 A biometric system is an automated means of recognizing someone by measuring a distinguishing physical trait. An ePassport uses just one physical trait - the face. The information needed to generate the facial biometric information comes from the photograph supplied with the passport application. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade digitizes the photograph you supply with your application. The digitized photo is stored in the passports database and in a computer chip in your ePassport. Using biometric technology, the passport photo can be digitally compared with another facial image to check that the two images are of the same person. The passport photo is used for identity verification and fraud detection.

Photograph Quality :

As the biometric passport uses your photograph to generate the biometric information it is essential that you provide photographs that comply with the recognized international standards. Refer to the photo guidelines included on the application form of your respective embassy. These guidelines will help you provide suitable photographs so that your application is not delayed by having to submit new photographs in the required format. 

Inside the chip :

Your digitized photograph is stored on an Integrated Circuit Chip embedded in the middle pages of your ePassport. The chip also stores your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and the passport expiry date. This is the same information that appears on the printed data page of every passport. The computer chip is contactless allowing information to be read without connecting wires.

Identity fraud :

The ePassport’s biometric technology provides even greater protection against identity fraud at two stages: 

1. When a passport is issued
2. When it is used.

When an ePassport is processed, the photograph provided by the applicant is matched with images from any travel document they've previously held. The applicant's photograph is also matched against images held in the passport database to ensure the person has not applied for a travel document in another name.

In the future International border control points will offer ePassport processing.  Until this is available, they will process ePassport holders in the same way as non-biometric passports. When the automated system checks become available, the photograph stored in the ePassport will be compared against live images of the passport bearer.

This ensures that the bearer is the person to whom the passport was issued and that the information on the chip has not been tampered with.

Securing your information :

The biometric chip and the electronic equipment used to write and read the chip have been manufactured to the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Only authorized officers in the Passport Office will be able to write your personal information on the chip in your passport. The ePassport incorporates security features to prevent anyone from changing or accessing information stored on the chip. ICAO protection of the data is obtained through use of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) (digital signature) technology. The use of PKI provides assurance to the reader that data on the chip was put there by an authorized entity is complete and has not been changed.

Some media reports have claimed that the unauthorized reading (or ‘skimming’) of the biometric chip will pose a privacy risk to ePassport holders. To eliminate this risk, Basic Access Control (BAC) has been implemented on each chip which allows only coded access by authorized personnel to the chip's biographical data.

Privacy :

The introduction of the ePassport is as vital in protecting the privacy of passport holders as it is about strengthening the integrity of the passport issuing process. Your passport is a critical tool in proving your identity. By combating identity fraud, the ePassport protects your passport information from misuse. In addition, strict guidelines control on how the department uses the information you supply with a passport application.

It needs a special type of reader (RFID) to access the digital information. E-passports are much harder to forge, so they help cut down on passport fraud. The reason for the digital photograph is that its presence allows international border officials to use facial recognition technology to ensure that the holder of the passport matches the photograph. The U.S. has, since August of 2007, only issued these new e-passports, although existing passports without the electronic chip are still valid until their next stated expiry [source: U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs].

It's worth noting that, while these new passports certainly make fraud much more difficult, if not impossible, it's still probably a good idea to ensure you don't lose them. However, if it ever does come to pass that your passport is lost or stolen while you're in another country, you need to let the nearest embassy or consulate know as soon as possible. It will be helpful to officials there if you have a photocopy of the identity page of your passport (with your picture, bio, the date the passport was issued and the passport number) and some other form of identification. Armed with that information, the embassy or consulate staff can more easily help you replace your passport or get the documentation you need to get home.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you can inform the authorities when you apply for a new one -- preferably as soon as you realize your passport has gone missing. You'll need to fill in Form DS-11 (the application for a new passport) as well as a DS-64 (notification of loss or theft), and provide two passport photos, identification and the correct fees. You'll also have to show up in person at the passport agency or acceptance facility.