Countries in the global south are turning to biometric passports as the next generation of travel documents: Indonesia is unveiling a new biometric passport design to mark 80 years of independence; Lebanon is overcoming technical and logistical challenges to issue biometric passports; and Kenyans will need to verify their biometrics to verify their identity while traveling.
According to The Jakarta Globe, the Indonesian government’s commemorative passports will have enhanced security features, including a biometric chip, ultraviolet light capabilities and additional holograms. The passports will be issued on August 17, 2025, Indonesia’s Independence Day.
Lebanese authorities say attempts to issue biometric passports to Lebanese citizens living abroad have been hampered by challenges in collecting biometric data, primarily fingerprints. Currently, biometric passports can only be issued from Lebanon, L’Orient Today reported.
Fadi Allameh, chairman of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, said the government has a “comprehensive understanding of the legal complexities surrounding passport issuance and document verification. We look forward to the proposals, including the proposal to deploy fingerprint recognition machines. Technical considerations, such as their installation in embassies and document security, are crucial.”
Kenyans are seeing delays in the biometric passport system, with Citizen Digital reporting a surge in complaints from Kenyans who have been forced to wait for months despite being told their passports would take days or weeks to process.
Some are outraged that queues still form at immigration offices to register for biometrics, despite the existence of an online appointment system with timed appointments.
In the 2024 Henley Passport Index, which ranks the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, the Indonesian passport ranks 68th with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 78 countries. Kenya ranks 70th with access to 76 countries. Lebanon ranks 96th with access to 45 countries.
Article Topics
Biometric passport | Biometric | Identification card | Indonesia | Kenya | Lebanon | Travel document
