E-Passport: Meaning, Features, Benefits & Application Process

• Written by Gungun Bhatia

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Apart from your willingness to travel the world, the second most important thing you need for international travel is your passport. This crucial document contains everything from your identity to your citizenship details.

However, the rise in fraudulent passports has led to security concerns. These fake documents open doors for suspicious individuals to enter countries and pose a threat to national security. To overcome this, governments worldwide, including India, have adopted e-passports, ensuring the electronic verification of traveller details and preventing unauthorised entry.

If you’re wondering what an e-passport is, how to get one, or what the e-passport India application process is, this guide covers it all. Let’s dive in.

What is an E-passport?

Also known as a biometric passport or electronic passport, an e-passport is an advanced version of a traditional passport that has an installed electronic microprocessor chip. This chip stores the conventional details of the passport holder - name, passport number, date of birth, and biometric information such as facial recognition data and fingerprints.

Globally, more than 120 countries already issue electronic passports, and now India has begun implementing them as part of its modernisation drive in April 2024.

What are the Features of an E-passport?

The biometric e-passport comes with several  features. Let’s discuss:

• 64 KB Storage: With 64 KB of storage in the microprocessor chip, all of your personal and biometric data is stored, making your passport more secure than a traditional one.
• Biometric Data: The chip contains your fingerprints, iris scan and a coloured photograph for identification.
• Automatic Scanning: The chip is equipped with an antenna, enabling automatic scanning of the passport at immigration points, and thus, eliminating the need to wait in long queues.
• Digital Signature: The microprocessor chip of your E-passport carries a unique digital signature that confirms your identity and reduces the risk of forgery.
• Advanced Security: E-passports feature advanced security features, including watermarks, holographic images that change colour under the light, and much more. These features prevent passport tampering and identity theft.

How does an E-passport Work?

When you present a biometric passport at the security gate, the chip gets scanned wirelessly using RFID technology. Then, the biometric data from the chip is compared with your actual face using facial recognition cameras. Lastly, your digital signature is verified, and if everything matches, you’re cleared through.

What are the Benefits of an E-passport?

Here are the top benefits that an E-passport offers

• Better Security: Since your personal information and biometric data are encrypted in a chip and are verified at the time of a security check, the chances of forgery become negligible. This ensures better security than traditional passports.
• Quicker Travel: The chip embedded in your passport allows automatic scanning at security checkpoints, eliminating the tedious formality of waiting in longer queues.
• Global Compliance: E-passports strictly adhere to the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation(ICAO). This ensures that it will be recognised and trusted in most countries, simplifying travel and reducing the chances of immigration delays.
• Durability: Designed using high-quality materials and advanced printing techniques, E-passports are resistant to wear and tear. The embedded chip is also built to withstand heat and moisture, ensuring the passport remains functional throughout its 10-year lifespan.

Difference between an E-passport and a Regular passport

The table below shows the difference between a biometic e-passport and a traditional passport based on different features:

How to Apply for an E-passport Online?

If you’re wondering how to apply for the e-passport online in India, here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal: Go to the official website at passportindia.gov.in.

Register an Account: On the homepage, click on the "Register Now" link. Now, fill in the details required to create a new account.

Log In: After registering, log in with your new credentials.

Apply for the Passport: On the dashboard, click on ‘apply for a fresh passport’. In case you already have a passport, click on ‘re-issue of passport’.

Fill the Application Form: Complete the online application form by filling in accurate and personal details.

Pay and Schedule Appointment: After submitting the form, click on ‘pay and schedule appointment’.

Note: Choose a convenient time and date for your appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO).

Receive Appointment Confirmation: You’ll receive an SMS on your registered mobile number with your appointment details.

Attend the Appointment: On the scheduled date, visit the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office with the original documents required for verification.

Note: These documents typically include a birth certificate, proof of address, and evidence of nationality.

Biometric Data Collection: During your visit, your fingerprints, photograph and signature will be captured for the E-passport.

Passport Issuance: After successful document verification, your new biometric e-passport will be processed and dispatched to your registered address.

>>Read More: Everything You Need to Know About RPO

Documents Required to Apply for an E-passport

Below is the list of documents required to apply for an E-passport:

• Copy of the first and last pages of your current passport
• Address proof: Aadhar card, bank passbook and utility bills
• Age proof: Birth certificate, PAN Card, Aadhar card and Voter ID

>>Read More: How to Claim for Passport Cover under the Travel Insurance Easily?

E-Passport Check Online

You can easily perform an e-passport check online to track your application:

• Log in to the Passport Seva website.
• Enter your file number and date of birth.
• The system will show real-time updates.

This biometric passport check ensures transparency throughout the process.

Summing it Up!

An e-passport is a convenient and hassle-free way to travel across the world. Unlike traditional passports, which come with the risk of forgery and identity theft, e-passports are highly secure and ensure solid protection of your data using encryption. Therefore, before planning your next trip abroad, don’t forget to apply for an e-passport as it will make your journey easier.

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