What is E-Passport?

An electronic passport is a modern-day passport document with a chip. This chip stores all your personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth and photograph. Additionally, the e-passport stores biometric details like fingerprints and iris scans.

Whenever you pass through immigration checks at the airport, this chip will be scanned. The information will be scanned immediately, making the immigration clearance process easier, faster and safer for you.

India's chip passport uses metrics and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). It prevents the unauthorised transfer of data from the chip, keeping your information and biometrics secure against any theft or forgery.

Moreover, with electronic passports in India, scanning information at the airport immigration centre is easier and quicker.

Also Read: How to Apply for Passport in India? Online and Offline

Personal Information: Name, address and date of birth

Biometric Information: Fingerprints, coloured photographs and iris scans

Digital Signature: It verifies your identity securely

Also Read: Change Passport Name and Passport Address

Also Read: Passport Vs Visa: Key Differences Every Traveller Should Know

Biometric Data: An e-passport's primary feature is that it stores your biometric details, including your fingerprints, iris, and coloured photographs, on a chip with extra protection.

Digital Authentication: The e-passport India uses the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution. This feature ensures that immigration officials from around the world can securely authenticate immigration officials.

Storage Capacity: The e-passport has a storage capacity of 64 kilobytes, which securely stores your information and biometrics without hampering its functionality.

Automatic Scanning: The chip installed in the e-passport has antennas that allow it to scan automatically. This way, you do not have to wait in lines for hours.

Digital Signature: An e-passport has a unique digital signature that authenticates the data stored in it, reducing the chances of forgery.

Time-saving: It speeds up the review of anal to review information, meaning that travellers no longer have to stand in a long queue to have their information verified.

Hassle-Free Tracking: Since an e-passport holds an individual's biometric information, it is easier for officials to track the relevant information. This also means that data breaches and passport forgeries can be largely prevented.

Authentic: Any tampering with an electronic passport will automatically fail to authenticate the information. The e-passport contains several levels of protection to prevent any redundancy.

Safe: An e-passport is more secure; the information in it cannot be wiped. This is another important measure to curb the production of fake passports.

Also Read: Passport for Minor

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Sewa website.

Step 2: On the homepage, select the “New User Registration” option if you do not have a profile. Select “Existing User Login” if you are applying to renew your passport.

Step 3: Next, choose the type of application, whether you need a new passport or renewal to upgrade to an e-passport.

Step 4: Enter your requested information and upload the documents.

Step 5: Next, you need to complete payment for the passport application fee.

Step 6: Now, you need to schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra.

Step 7: Visit the PSK office during your scheduled appointment to verify documents, collect biometrics, and complete other formalities.

Also Read: Passport Renewal Step-by-Step Guide For Indian Travellers

Here is the list of documents that you need to bring for an electronic passport application.

• Residence Proof: Aadhar card, voter ID card, driving licence, utility bills, bank passbook

• Age Proof: Birth certificate, PAN card, Voter ID card and Aadhar card

• Copy of current passport’s first and last page (for passport renewal)

Also Read: List of Documents Required for Passport in India

The e-passport is a step closer to a digitised future. However, while processing will become significantly more feasible, this does not mean that the procedure will become entirely paperless. Requirements such as stamping the visa will continue.

The biometric passport will also help boost the Indian travel and tourism sector by enabling easier international travel. This, in turn, will encourage more individuals to travel overseas, which improves the influx of travellers within the country as well. The strengthened element of security is an important aspect of protection from identity thefts and the use of forged passports.

The e-passport will be an important document in the upcoming years. This digital document provides added security to the traveller’s information compared to the traditional document. Moreover, it is faster and more convenient to apply for visas while planning foreign trips.

Getting an e-passport is the first step towards a secure and convenient trip. However, if you want an additional layer of security while you are in a foreign country, you must also get international travel insurance.

Travel insurance online offers several benefits, such as medical emergency coverage, delayed checked-in luggage, lost visa coverage and trip cancellation coverage.

TATA AIG travel insurance offers several security features and customer support that is available to you around any corner of the world you are travelling to. You can visit our website to check and buy travel insurance as per your requirements.

How do I know if my passport is an e-passport?

You can check the corner of your passport to see whether it is an e-passport. The document contains the international symbol for an e-passport, which helps identify it.

Can I use my e-passport for visa-free entry to certain countries?

The visa requirements remain the same for all travellers. However, if you have an e-passport, visa processing can be much easier, faster and safer.

Do I need to pay extra for an e-passport?

No, the government does not charge an additional fee for an e-passport. You can apply for one from the Passport Sewa portal and pay an application fee similar to a traditional passport.

Who are the makers of e-passport technology in India?

The e-passport India was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the National Informatics Center (NIC) in association with the India Security Press and the Ministry of External Affairs.