Looking to the Future: The Age of Passport-Free Travel

Technological advancements are reshaping every facet of our lives, and international travel is not immune to this transformative shift. The traditional passport, a symbol of national identity and mobility, is gradually being supplemented—and in some cases, replaced—by biometric systems and digital travel credentials. This evolution promises not only more robust security but also a more streamlined and efficient travel experience.

The Rise of Biometric Identification at the Border
Facial biometrics, particularly, have catapulted to the fore as more countries incorporate facial matching technology in border security protocols. From contactless corridors to automated border control gates, technology at the border is increasingly sophisticated and accessible to governments and transport carriers worldwide.

The rapid proliferation of biometric solutions on entry and exit can perhaps be understood within the context of changing traveler preferences, as seamless travel and expedited processing become a growing demand. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA):

● 89% of passengers would join a trusted travel program for faster security
● 86% prefer obtaining visas pre-travel
● 73% want to use biometric data instead of passports

With sectors like insurance and banking migrating entirely online, governments are playing catch-up to deliver against traveler expectations to position their destinations as modern, safe, and above all, seamless. Industry stands ready to work with governments to realise this ambition without compromising national security and screening protocols.

Trialling the Technology of Tomorrow
Recognising this global paradigm shift, several countries have launched high-profile trials of passport-free systems. So far, these trials facilitate contactless entry or exit and target a specific subset of travelers. As we get more confident with these systems, they will inevitably be rolled out to all travellers, either as a default or for an additional “convenience fee”.

Singapore’s Changi Airport
Automated immigration sits at the centre of the Singaporean Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) New Clearance Concept, which aims to have 95% of travellers using automated systems by 2026. As of September 2024, Changi Airport implemented passportless clearance across all four terminals for citizens and residents, while some foreign travellers can use biometrics on departure. The system incorporates facial biometrics and QR code technology, reducing the average clearance time to 10 seconds. The trial is ongoing, and some limitations remain in place, such as first-time travellers and those re-entering on a different passport.

Dubai International Airport
The “Smart Tunnel” at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a system that uses biometric technology, specifically facial and iris recognition, to streamline passport control for passengers. This “smart passage” system can also allow for seamless navigation through check-in, immigration, and boarding processes. To date, however, the service has only been rolled out for First and Business class travellers arriving or departing on Emirates. This targeted application emphasises the commercial opportunities for these technologies, through paid-for services such as frequent flyer or “fast-track” programmes.

KLM & Canada
Beyond biometrics, Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs) are emerging as a revolutionary approach to international travel. Developed under the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), DTCs are digital representations of a traveler’s identity, derived from their existing passport information.

A notable pilot project involving DTCs is the collaboration between KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the governments of Canada and the Netherlands. In this trial, eligible passengers on flights from Canada to the Netherlands can upload their passport information and facial photo via an app before travel. Upon arrival at Schiphol Airport, they pass through a dedicated DTC “Tap & Go” border gate, where a facial scan retrieves their digital credential, streamlining the immigration process. During the trial phase, the service was only available to certain nationalities travelling on specific routes. Once again, demonstrating the limitations of such technology in a real-world setting.

Seychelles International Airport
Rolling out its contactless corridor as early as 2021, the Seychelles continues to champion facial biometrics at the border. Combined with a Biometric Travel Authorization (eTA), a walk-through corridor matched the traveler on arrival to their eTA profile and flags any alerts to the front-line in real-time.

Low-risk travellers present as green and can proceed to passport control, while all others are sent to secondary processing. Unlike other trials, Seychelles has rolled the system out for all travellers, whether foreigner or citizen. This efficient passenger screening system has helped the International Airport achieve ACI Level Accreditation for the first time in its history.

Starting in June 2025, a second corridor will enable passport-free entry for all Seychelles citizens. Integration with the National Population Database enhances security checks upstream, verifying travel documents before arrival to eliminate the need for manual passport control and replace the physical passport stamp.

Challenges and Considerations
While the shift towards passport-free travel offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges that must be addressed. Firstly, the passport and traveler identity must be authenticated and verified remotely, which poses significant security risks if proper checks and balances are not in place.

Privacy concerns are also paramount, as the collection and storage of biometric data raise questions about data protection and potential misuse. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures and transparent data handling policies is essential to maintain public trust.

Additionally, biometric systems and digital credentials often require significant investment in infrastructure and technology. As showcased in Seychelles, new technology must integrate with existing national systems and databases to support a smooth and effective rollout. Adopting an iterative, step-by-step approach allows governments to build confidence and trust in these new systems, identifying bottlenecks and challenges as you go and pausing to reflect and adapt as needed.

The Need for Regulation and Coordination
As the transition toward passport-free travel accelerates, it brings to the forefront a critical need for international regulation, coordination, and standard-setting. The successful adoption of biometric corridors, digital travel credentials (DTCs), and contactless immigration technologies depends not only on innovation but also on harmonized policies, robust governance frameworks, and cross-border interoperability.

At present, many of the biometric trials and DTC pilots—such as those at Changi Airport in Singapore, Dubai International Airport, and the joint KLM–Canada initiative—remain fragmented. They are often limited to specific routes, nationalities, or travel classes. While valuable in proving technical feasibility, their real-world impact will remain limited unless such systems can communicate across jurisdictions, airports, and border agencies.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has taken early steps in defining standards for Digital Travel Credentials (DTCs). These are foundational in ensuring that digital identities derived from passports are trusted, secure, and machine-readable across different states. However, the pace of implementation remains uneven. Without broader buy-in from national governments, airlines, and security agencies, global adoption risks becoming patchy and exclusionary.

There are also substantial legal and ethical implications. The collection, storage, and sharing of biometric and travel data must comply with data protection regulations such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Yet, many countries lack clear legislation governing biometric use at borders, leading to public mistrust and legal uncertainty. Questions around consent, data ownership, third-party access, and retention periods remain unresolved in many jurisdictions.

To that end, multilateral forums such as ICAO, IATA, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and the African Union should intensify their collaboration. Public-private partnerships—like those seen with Travizory and governments in the Seychelles and St. Kitts & Nevis—offer promising models for ethical, secure, and inclusive rollout. But sustained progress depends on clear regulatory frameworks and global coordination.

Without it, the dream of seamless, secure, passport-free travel risks being realized only in isolated pockets, rather than as a universally accessible reality.

The Road Ahead
The trajectory of passport-free travel is clear: as technology continues to evolve and traveler preferences shift towards more convenient and efficient processes, the adoption of biometric identification and digital credentials will become more widespread. Border tech firms are leading the charge in developing efficient, secure, and effective passport-free solutions. While traditional passports may not disappear entirely, their role in international travel is undoubtedly changing.

For border security professionals, policymakers, and travelers alike, staying informed about these developments is crucial. Embracing innovation while addressing the associated challenges will be key to shaping a future where international travel is more secure, seamless, and accessible.

By Renaud Irminger, CEO and co-founder at Travizory – Developers of digital tools that facilitate paperless border crossings