International travel may soon be much easier and faster. According to an article by Conde Nast Traveler, some international airports are no longer requiring passengers to present a passport. They are using technology to improve immigration procedures.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is going completely passport-free next year. It will be the first international airport to use passengers’ biometric data. Instead of presenting a passport to an immigration officer, passengers will simply step up to the automated checkpoint for a facial scan that verifies their identity. When it rolls out in early 2024, this technology will be used for all travelers, including visitors. It’s not just for customs clearance. Biometrics will be used at various automated touchpoints, from bag drop to boarding.
Dubai International Airport is already utilizing biometric clearance instead of traditional passport checks. Originally available only to residents and citizens, the program is being expanded to certain international travelers. Passengers simply walk through the terminal and onto their plane or through immigration using only their face as their ID. No more scrambling for travel documents at every point of the travel process.
Here in the U.S., biometric technology is being used at some airports to verify travelers’ identities at customs and immigration checkpoints. Immigration officers are using facials to ensure a passenger’s face matches the photo on their physical passport. Biometrics is not yet replacing passports.
However, that day is coming soon. A report on the evolution of airports predicts many airports will have “walk-through, contactless immigration” by 2030. In the meantime, international travelers will still need to have a valid passport.
What do you think about governments using biometrics to track travelers? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or Twitter and let us know if you favor technology over traditional paper passports.
