India Joins Mexico, Canada, US, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan and More in Launching New Chip-Based E-Passports as They Become the Global Travel Standard

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

India has joined a global wave of countries—including Mexico, Canada, the United States, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and many others—that have adopted chip-based e-passports as the new global travel standard, aiming to enhance border security, prevent identity fraud, and speed up immigration processing. With its nationwide rollout underway, India’s biometric passports now feature embedded RFID chips storing encrypted personal and biometric data, placing the country in line with over 120 nations that already use this advanced technology to modernize international travel and ensure smoother, safer journeys for their citizens.

India’s Leap Into Digital Passports

The Indian government initiated the rollout of chip-enabled e-passports under its Passport Seva Programme 2.0 in April 2024. The pilot began in select cities including Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. By mid-2025, the nationwide deployment is expected to reach full scale.

These advanced passports feature a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna embedded in the back cover. The chip securely stores the passport holder’s facial photograph, fingerprint data, and personal information such as name, date of birth, and passport number. All biometric and identity data is encrypted and protected by global security protocols including Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC).

By implementing this upgrade, India aims to reduce identity fraud, accelerate immigration processes, and integrate seamlessly with border systems across more than 100 e-passport compliant countries.

How E-Passports Are Changing Global Travel

E-passports are rapidly becoming the international norm. They offer multiple layers of security, making it virtually impossible to forge documents or manipulate traveler identity. The chip stores biometric information that is authenticated in real-time at immigration checkpoints, enabling contactless and automated border control.

These documents allow countries to process travelers through e-gates, speeding up customs clearance and reducing manual intervention. India’s decision to adopt this technology aligns it with the best practices outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which governs passport security standards globally.

Countries That Have Adopted Chip-Based E-Passports

India is far from alone in this digital transition. Over 120 countries now issue biometric e-passports. Here is a comprehensive breakdown by region:

North & South AmericaUnited States: Rolled out in 2007 with facial and fingerprint biometrics; integrated with global e-gate systems.Canada: Issued since 2013 with encrypted facial data; supports smart kiosks.Mexico: Launched in 2021 with RFID-enabled chips to improve border security.Brazil: Adopted in 2010 with facial and fingerprint features.Argentina: Rolled out in 2012, valid for 10 years.Chile: Issued since 2013; updated to 10-year validity in 2020.Colombia: Began issuing e-passports in 2015 to align with ICAO standards.Peru: Introduced in 2016 to gain Schengen visa exemptions.EuropeFrance: In use since 2006; compliant with Schengen regulations.Italy: Adopted in 2006 with biometric facial and fingerprint data.Germany: Among the first in 2005; features robust EAC security.United Kingdom: Launched in 2006; supports automated eGates.Russia: Introduced in 2006; added fingerprint biometrics by 2015.Ukraine: Rolled out in 2015; fully integrated with the Diia mobile ID platform.AsiaJapan: Issued since 2006; features facial and fingerprint biometrics.China: Adopted in 2012; over 100 million biometric passports issued by 2017.South Korea: In use since 2008; launched enhanced biometric versions in 2021.Bangladesh: First South Asian nation to launch e-passports in 2010.Malaysia: Pioneer in biometric passports since 1998; ICAO compliant from 2010.Indonesia: Introduced 10-year biometric passports in 2022.Nepal: Began issuing e-passports in 2021.Pakistan: Launched national rollout in August 2023.Saudi Arabia: Issued its first biometric passports in 2022.Singapore: Issued since 2006; accepted under the US Visa Waiver Program.AfricaNigeria: Issued since 2007; a first for West Africa, ECOWAS compliant.Kenya: Biometric passports launched in 2017 with facial and fingerprint data.South Africa: Introduced e-passports for enhanced security and global compatibility.Rwanda: Began issuing biometric passports in 2019 under EAC and ICAO guidelines.OceaniaAustralia: Started in 2005; integrated with SmartGate for facial recognition.New Zealand: Uses biometric e-passports compatible with global e-border systems.

India’s alignment with these nations allows its citizens to benefit from faster border clearance and reduced friction in visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations. The new system boosts credibility and travel confidence globally.

Application Process and Production

India has kept the application process for e-passports user-friendly. Citizens apply via the existing Passport Seva Portal, schedule an appointment at their nearest Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, and provide biometric data during their visit.

The India Security Press in Nashik manages passport printing and chip integration. This ensures production remains within national borders and aligns with “Make in India” objectives, adding another layer of data sovereignty and cybersecurity assurance.

Why the Shift Was Essential

India’s decision to adopt chip-based passports is driven by the rising need for secure and efficient travel amid growing international movement. With over 1.5 billion international arrivals globally in 2023 and the post-pandemic rebound continuing, border authorities worldwide are scaling up their biometric verification systems.

Traditional machine-readable passports are increasingly vulnerable to duplication and tampering. E-passports solve this problem with built-in encryption, certificate verification, and biometric authentication—adding security without creating friction at the border.

Looking Ahead: Digital Possibilities

India’s e-passport initiative is part of a larger vision to integrate more digital technologies into cross-border travel. Future advancements may include:

Mobile-based passport walletsBlockchain verification systemsIntegration with DigiLocker and AadhaarDigital visa overlays linked to the chip

These upgrades could eliminate paper documents altogether in the next decade, paving the way for a truly contactless, smart travel ecosystem.

India has launched chip-based e-passports to enhance security and speed at international borders, joining countries like Mexico, Canada, the US, Brazil, France, Italy, and Japan as the technology becomes the global travel standard. The move aligns India with over 120 nations using biometric passports to combat fraud and streamline immigration.

India has joined the world’s leading nations—including Mexico, Canada, the US, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and dozens more—in rolling out chip-based biometric e-passports that redefine how citizens travel. By adopting this global travel standard, India strengthens its border security, boosts international credibility, and ensures that its travelers enjoy faster, safer, and more seamless movement across the globe.

As the future of travel goes biometric, India’s digital leap ensures it is not just catching up but helping shape the standards of next-generation mobility.