biometric passport

Meaning

A biometric passport is a modern travel document that contains an embedded microchip holding biological data used to authenticate the identity of the traveler. It typically stores a digital map of the holder's face, fingerprints, or iris. It is used at automated border control gates (e-gates) to speed up security checks.

Examples

• You can use the e-gates if you have a biometric passport.

  You can use the e-gates if you have a biometric passport.

• I need to renew my old document to get a biometric passport before my trip to Europe.

  I need to renew my old document to get a biometric passport before my trip to Europe.

• The scanner at border control couldn't read the chip in my biometric passport.

  The scanner at border control couldn't read the chip in my biometric passport.

• Most countries now issue a biometric passport as standard to prevent identity theft.

  Most countries now issue a biometric passport as standard to prevent identity theft.

• Please place your biometric passport photo-page down on the reader.

  Please place your biometric passport photo-page down on the reader.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to renew my biology passport.

  ✓ I need to renew my biometric passport.

  'Biology passport' is an incorrect word form. The correct adjective is 'biometric', referring to the measurement of biological data.

• ✗ The officer scanned my biometrical passport.

  ✓ The officer scanned my biometric passport.

  While 'biometrical' is technically a word, 'biometric passport' is the standard collocated term used worldwide.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To use the automated e-gates at the airport, you must hold a valid ___.

  💡 A modern passport containing a microchip with your physical data.

  Show answer

  biometric passport

• The chip in my ___ stores my facial scan and fingerprints.

  💡 The official name for a passport with embedded digital security features.

  Show answer

  biometric passport