Latest news with #ePassports
1News
02-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Customs opens eGates to arrivals from 11 more countries
New Zealand Customs Service is allowing a further 11 countries with eligible passport holders to enter New Zealand using eGates. Several European countries now have access — as well as an initial group of countries from the Middle East — with the total list of countries eligible to 48. Arrivals from the United Arab Emirates, with 9381 touching down in New Zealand during the year to March 2025, was one of the countries now permitted to use the eGates. New Zealand Customs said the additional countries would help "make border processing systems more efficient, smart, and easy to use". The other newly selected countries were Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Vatican City, and Macau (a Special Administrative Region of China). ADVERTISEMENT Acting group manager of Border Operations Paul Williams said around 70% of arriving and departing passengers were processed through the eGates. "The use of eGates, along with other digital options such as completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration digitally, will help reduce screening times in airport terminals, making it easier and faster for travellers to move through border security," said Williams. Williams said eGates enabled Customs frontline officers to focus on high-risk travellers and baggage "as well as boosting airport patrols to target illegal activities such as drug smuggling". In a trial period, Customs worked with Immigration New Zealand to ensure ePassports from the countries met the necessary border security and technological biometric requirements. EGates were first introduced in New Zealand in 2009 and were available to ePassport holders aged 10 years and older.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Customs Opens eGates To 11 More Countries And Territories
Press Release – New Zealand Customs Service Customs has now opened its eGates to 48 countries, in total, and will later this year enable further countries to use the gates, helping make border processing systems more efficient, smart, and easy to use. The New Zealand Customs Service is pleased to welcome eligible ePassport holders from a further 11 countries and territories to use its eGates as of today. Travellers from several European countries, including Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, and Vatican City, as well as Macau (a Special Administrative Region of China) and an initial group of Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, are now able to use New Zealand's automated eGates nationwide. This follows a successful trial period, where Customs worked with Immigration New Zealand to ensure ePassports from these Visa-waiver countries met the necessary border security and technological biometric requirements. Customs has now opened its eGates to 48 countries, in total, and will later this year enable further countries to use the gates, helping make border processing systems more efficient, smart, and easy to use. Acting Group Manager Border Operations, Paul Williams, says around 70% percent of arriving and departing passengers are currently processed through eGates in New Zealand. 'As we open New Zealand's eGates to more countries, even more travellers will have the option of a self-service route through both arrivals and departures. We welcome the new passport holders and encourage them to give our eGates a try,' says Mr Williams. 'The use of eGates, along with other digital options such as completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration digitally, will help reduce screening times in airport terminals, making it easier and faster for travellers to move through border security.' He adds that eGates use sophisticated biometric software and information from ePassports to carry out necessary checks within seconds, enabling Customs frontline officers to place increased focus on high-risk travellers and baggage, as well as boosting airport patrols to target illegal activities such as drug smuggling. Notes: eGates first opened for use in New Zealand in 2009 eGate access is now available to ePassport holders aged 10 years and older from the 48 countries and territories listed below:
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Customs Opens eGates To 11 More Countries And Territories
The New Zealand Customs Service is pleased to welcome eligible ePassport holders from a further 11 countries and territories to use its eGates as of today. Travellers from several European countries, including Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, and Vatican City, as well as Macau (a Special Administrative Region of China) and an initial group of Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, are now able to use New Zealand's automated eGates nationwide. This follows a successful trial period, where Customs worked with Immigration New Zealand to ensure ePassports from these Visa-waiver countries met the necessary border security and technological biometric requirements. Customs has now opened its eGates to 48 countries, in total, and will later this year enable further countries to use the gates, helping make border processing systems more efficient, smart, and easy to use. Acting Group Manager Border Operations, Paul Williams, says around 70% percent of arriving and departing passengers are currently processed through eGates in New Zealand. 'As we open New Zealand's eGates to more countries, even more travellers will have the option of a self-service route through both arrivals and departures. We welcome the new passport holders and encourage them to give our eGates a try,' says Mr Williams. 'The use of eGates, along with other digital options such as completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration digitally, will help reduce screening times in airport terminals, making it easier and faster for travellers to move through border security.' He adds that eGates use sophisticated biometric software and information from ePassports to carry out necessary checks within seconds, enabling Customs frontline officers to place increased focus on high-risk travellers and baggage, as well as boosting airport patrols to target illegal activities such as drug smuggling. Notes: eGates first opened for use in New Zealand in 2009 eGate access is now available to ePassport holders aged 10 years and older from the 48 countries and territories listed below:
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
What is Indian ePassport & is it mandatory for current passport holders to replace theirs with a new chip-based one?
NEW DELHI: The Government of India has introduced the ePassport which is a combined paper and electronic passport featuring an embedded RFID chip and antenna. The chip securely stores the passport holder's personal and biometric data and is visually identified by a small gold-coloured symbol on the front cover. With this rollout, India joins over 120 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia, in issuing biometric e-passports. This move aligns India with ICAO international standards and represents a major step forward in enhancing national security and streamlining cross-border travel. As global travel rebounds and border security becomes ever more critical, the ePassport equips Indian travellers with a safer, smoother experience abroad. By adopting biometric technology, India underscores its commitment to digital innovation and positions itself at the forefront of modern identity management. Key benefits of ePassport Enhanced Data Security: The ePassport stores information both in printed form and as a digitally signed electronic chip. Immigration officials worldwide can authenticate this data, reducing the risk of forgery and fraudulent passports. Robust Encryption: Protected by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), the ePassport's chip ensures the integrity and origin of personal and biometric data. International Standards Compliance: Following ICAO Document 9303 guidelines, the ePassport uses: Basic Access Control (BAC): Restricts chip access to authorised scanning devices. Passive Authentication (PA): Verifies stored data and detects tampering. Extended Access Control (EAC): Adds an extra security layer for sensitive biometric information like fingerprints. Streamlined Immigration: Biometric verification via ePassport allows automated and contactless checks at border control, significantly lowering wait times and easing the travel experience. Global Compatibility: As ePassports meet ICAO specifications, they are accepted at checkpoints in most countries, simplifying international travel. Fraud Prevention: Advanced security features make it difficult to tamper with or duplicate passports, deterring counterfeiters and protecting individual identities. Traveler Convenience: Automated e-gates at airports enable ePassport holders to pass through immigration faster without manual inspections. National Security: Including biometric data in passports strengthens border control by more accurately tracking cross-border movement and preventing identity theft. Simplified Updates: Electronic storage makes renewing or updating personal details more efficient, speeding up the application process. Digital Transformation: The ePassport supports India's move toward paperless travel and digital identities, paving the way for future innovations in global mobility. Is replacement mandatory for current Passport holders? No, existing passports issued by the Government of India remain valid until their official expiry date. ePassports will be issued gradually as each Passport Office becomes technically equipped. This phased rollout across all Passport Offices in India may take a few months. Until then, holders of regular passports do not need to replace them. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
NDTV
16-05-2025
- NDTV
E-Passport Launched In Select Indian Cities - Key Facts Travellers Need To Know
The Indian government has launched an ePassport facility, and travellers in multiple regions across the country can apply for them. This initiative is part of a larger digital venture called Passport Seva Program (PSP) 2.0. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the e-Passport was officially launched on April 1, 2024, in a pilot phase. As of today, only selected passport offices in India are equipped to issue this document. There are plans to expand this facility to more centres in the near future. How Does An ePassport Work? An ePassport is a combined paper and electronic passport. It has a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna embedded as inlay. The chip contains the personal details and biometric information of the passport holder. The ePassport has a small additional gold colour symbol printed below the front cover, which will help distinguish it from regular passports. Additionally, ePassport is supported by a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which will assist in the protection of sensitive information. It will also help confirm the integrity and origin of the personal/biometric data stored on the chip within the ePassport, the website explains. What Are The Possible Benefits Of ePassports? According to the Passport Seva website, ePassports have "an enhanced ability to maintain the integrity of the passport holder's data." This is because these passports will have the traveller's data available for authentication in two forms - printed on the booklet in physical form, as well as in digital form on the electronic chip. These features can help safeguard the passport against potential forgeries and fraudulent activities like fake passports, the website states. Who Can Apply For ePassports At Present? As per reports, passport offices in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Surat, Nagpur, Goa, Jammu, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Ranchi are currently issuing ePassports. What Should Existing Passport Holders Do? Nothing at all. Existing passport holders need not worry - their passports do not need to be exchanged for ePassports. All the passports issued by the Indian government so far will continue to remain valid till their expiry date. The government is working to enable all passport offices across the country to issue ePassports, and the phase-wise roll-out is expected to take a few months. "As and when a respective Passport Office is technically enabled for issuance of ePassport, the citizens applying under that passport office will get the ePassport," the website clarifies.
