Electronic passports launched nationwide today, enabling self-service clearance at entry and exit points

 
　　The original passport remains valid and does not need to be replaced. The cost and processing time for applying for a new passport remain unchanged, but self-service clearance will be available for future entry and exit.

　　Starting today, the electronic ordinary passport of the People's Republic of China is being launched nationwide. Applicants planning to travel abroad will have their fingerprint and signature information collected, which will then be embedded into an electronic component, significantly enhancing the passport’s anti-counterfeiting capabilities. In the future, as trust in China's electronic ordinary passports increases among other countries, travelers holding such passports will enjoy greater convenience during port inspections, making entry and exit procedures more efficient for Chinese citizens.

　　When will electronic passports be launched?

　　Electronic passports, internationally known as "biometric passports," embed a smart card chip into the traditional paper passport. The chip stores basic personal information such as the holder's name, date of birth, and photo, and can also collect the applicant's fingerprint and on-site signature data. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, fake passports were used by terrorists to enter the United States. In response, the U.S. significantly stepped up counterterrorism measures and also required that passports from countries eligible for visa-free entry into the U.S. be embedded with electronic chips.

　　Most EU countries began adopting electronic passports in 2006, while Australia and New Zealand started issuing them in 2005. Japan and South Korea followed in 2006 and 2008, respectively. To date, over 90 countries around the world have adopted electronic passports.

　　Interestingly, the world’s first country to adopt electronic passports was Malaysia, not particularly known for its technology. The country issued electronic passports as early as 1998.

　　What are the benefits of electronic passports?

　　For the general public, the biggest advantage of electronic passports is undoubtedly faster clearance. Sydney International Airport in Australia recently announced that it will install new smart clearance equipment in the terminal, which, when used with electronic passports, can reduce average passenger clearance times to just 90 seconds.

　　The airport authority stated that the smart clearance equipment uses facial recognition technology to scan the facial features of electronic passport holders and match them with the photo stored in the passport. This process requires no manual intervention and directly completes identity verification. As a result, long queues where travelers wait for customs officers to stamp their passports for clearance will become a thing of the past.

　　Zhou Ling, head of the acceptance section at the Guangdong Provincial Exit-Entry Administration Bureau, said that currently, some ports in China are equipped with self-service clearance facilities, and in the future, when conditions permit, applicants can use their electronic ordinary passports to go through self-service clearance, achieving faster processing. "The traditional clearance method involves staff inspecting and verifying the passport and confirming that it matches the individual before allowing clearance. With self-service clearance, individuals can use their own passport, and after their data is verified, they can complete the process on their own."

　　Existing valid ordinary passports should continue to be used and do not need to be replaced.

　　To apply for a replacement electronic ordinary passport, the following conditions must be met:

　　1. The visa pages of the ordinary passport are nearly full;

　　2. The validity period of the ordinary passport is less than six months, or although it is valid for more than six months, there is documentation proving that this period does not meet the requirements of the destination country;

　　3. Other circumstances recognized by the exit-entry administration authorities of the Ministry of Public Security. Regarding this, many people holding valid ordinary passports have expressed that if electronic passports offer many conveniences in the future and they are unable to replace theirs in time, "it would be a loss for them."

　　In addition, reporters found through comparison that the application conditions, required materials, processing timeframes, fees, and validity periods for the electronic ordinary passport remain the same as before.

　　The electronic ordinary passport measures 125mm x 88mm and contains 48 pages. The cover is burgundy, featuring the national emblem of the People’s Republic of China, the words “People’s Republic of China Passport” in both Chinese and English, the electronic passport symbol, and other gold-embossed elements.

　　Cost: The cost of applying for an electronic ordinary passport remains the same as before — 200 RMB per passport for first-time applicants. Processing time: Within 15 working days from the date the police accept the application form submitted by the public. For expedited cases, the passport will be produced within 5 working days from the date the application is accepted. Validity: The validity period of the electronic ordinary passport remains 5 years for holders under 16 years of age, and 10 years for those 16 and older. Storage: The electronic ordinary passport contains sensitive electronic components. To maintain optimal performance, do not bend, puncture, or expose the passport to extreme temperatures or humidity.

　　According to regulations, citizens aged 16 and above who apply for an electronic ordinary passport are required to have their fingerprints collected on-site. For those under 16, fingerprint collection may be done on-site if the guardian agrees to provide the applicant’s fingerprint information. If an applicant is unable to provide fingerprint information due to finger conditions or other reasons, it will not affect the application or entry-exit border inspection for the electronic ordinary passport.

　　Collection procedure: Yesterday, reporters at the exit and entry administration’s document processing window observed that fingerprint collection will be carried out by two machines at two separate windows for collection and verification. The entire fingerprint collection process is monitored by surveillance cameras.

　　According to the collection process, fingerprints will be collected in an alternating order starting with the right hand, then the left hand, with one fingerprint taken from each hand. The priority order of fingers is: thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. When fewer than two valid fingerprints are obtained, fingerprint images shall be collected in order of the priority of the finger positions until the required number is reached. In addition, applicants who are unable to provide fingerprints due to missing or damaged fingerprints may be exempted from fingerprint collection.

　　Another difference in applying for an electronic ordinary passport is that the applicant’s signature, which used to be signed directly on the passport, is now to be signed on the application form. According to regulations, citizens applying for an electronic ordinary passport must sign in person in front of the processing officer, so that the exit and entry administration authorities can scan the applicant’s signature onto the data page of the electronic ordinary passport. Applicants who are not capable of signing, such as preschool children, may be exempted from signing.

　　These materials are required for the application

　　1. One recent passport-sized photo without a hat or head covering, along with a completed “Application Form for Chinese Citizens Traveling Abroad for Private Purposes (Exit & Entry)”; 2. Resident identity card and household registration booklet, along with photocopies; those who are in the process of obtaining, renewing, or replacing their resident identity cards may submit a temporary resident identity card, along with the household registration booklet and photocopies;

　　3. Citizens under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by their guardian and submit a written statement of consent to travel abroad issued by the guardian, as well as the guardian’s resident identity card or household registration booklet, passport, and photocopies;

　　4. State functionaries shall submit a certificate of consent to travel abroad issued by their work unit or the supervisory authority at a higher level, approved according to personnel management authority, in accordance with relevant regulations;

　　5. Other materials required by the exit and entry administration authorities of public security organs at the provincial level, with approval from the Ministry of Public Security’s exit and entry administration authorities.

　　6. Active-duty military personnel applying for an electronic ordinary passport shall apply through the exit and entry administration authorities of the public security organ at the county level or above where their military unit is stationed, after completing the necessary approval procedures according to their management authority.