Biometric passport: How can I know if the chip is still working? Does it matter?

11/19/2013 12:13:10 PM

Each country around the world implements different passport security and authenticity checks, so there is no simple answer to your question.

However, most modern passport readers are capable of identifying an ePassport and verifying that the chip is operating as it should. Over time, more countries are turning that security check on so it’s likely that if you travel regularly you will run into problems (delays and inconvenience while the passport authenticity is confirmed).

The only real way to confirm the chip is ok is to check with your passport issuing agency… or if you arrive in Australia and can successfully use SmartGate, it’s definently working 🙂

10/9/2013 2:53:30 AM

ePassports use a “Near Field Communication” (NFC) chip to carry the biometric information.

Many modern smartphones include a NFC reader, which allows them to read the data from the e-Passport – if you can read that data, then your ePassport is working. If you can’t, then it’s likely broken.

There are a number of apps that can read the data from the passport using NFC, such as NFC TagInfo for Android. The information on the NFC chip is protected using a password composed of your passport number, data of birth, and passport expiry date so you will need to manually enter these before it is able to display the data from the NFC.

No countries are currently enforcing the use of ePassports for entry, so you will not have any issues getting through immigration with a “failed” e-passport.

In some countries, such as Australia (SmartGate) and the US (Global Entry), an ePassport is required to use the automated expedited entry lanes. Without a working ePassport you will not be able to use these lanes, however at least in Australia you will be able to jump to the front of the normal lines if/when using the SmartGate fails.

10/9/2013 4:21:51 AM

No, it does not matter, at least in the US. travel.state.gov:

What will happen if my Electronic Passport fails at a port-of-entry?

The chip in the passport is just one of the many security features of
the new passport. If the chip fails, the passport remains a valid
travel document until its expiration date. You will continue to be
processed by the port-of-entry officer as if you had a passport
without a chip.

(Which does make you wonder why they insist on them in the first place then, but that’s another story.)

As for what sorts of passport damage are acceptable and what are not, contrary to common belief immigration officers do usually use common sense. If your photo page or your relevant visas look tampered in any way, expect a lot more scrutiny, possibly even denial of entry if your passport in such bad shape that they can’t be sure it’s genuine. But the damage is limited to a couple of empty pages in the back, or your Elbonian visa from 1998 is a bit smudged, they won’t care.

Related anecdote: a few years back, my country’s passports had a rather notorious defect where the photo ID page would snap clean off after heavy use, and as luck would have it, this happened to a friend of mine at exit immigration as he was leaving on his way to Japan. On arrival, he tucked the page back in carefully, then presented the passport (closed) to the immigration officer in Japan, who cracked it open… and the photo page came flying out.

Friend: “Oh my god! You… you broke my passport! What am I going to do!?”

Officer, shocked: “Sorry! Sorry!” Stamp, stamp, handed back passport with a bow and an apology.

And on the way back, he taped the ID page carefully back in, made it home, and then got a new passport. Don’t try this at home, kids 😉

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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