Are passport stamps becoming obsolete? Here's how paperless travel technology is changing the world
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Passport stamps hold sentimental value as many travellers consider them small souvenirs that mark the journeys they've taken.
But now, the ritual of passport stamping could soon be a thing of the past as countries shift to paperless, high-tech systems for tracking entries and exits.
Australian travel blogger Michael Turtle has fond memories of flipping through his old passports, seeing 155 stamps accumulated over 10 years of adventures.
'It's heaps of fun to sort of go back through your passport,' he said.
'I look at my old passports, and there are a lot of happy memories there. You know, the stamps often remind you of trips that you'd kind of forgotten about.'
However, countries worldwide are phasing out ink-and-paper stamps in favour of advanced electronic systems to increase security and efficiency at border crossings.
Australia was the first country to implement a SmartGate system using facial recognition and the passport’s electronic chip in airports back in December 2012.
Israel, Argentina, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macau have followed suit. The European Union (EU) is said to be next in line in removing passport stamping entirely.
But why change things?
Dalbir Ahlawat, a Border Security Expert from Macquarie University, explained that the move will make travel safer as stamps can be easily tampered with or counterfeited.
However, according to Dr Ahlawat, these are not the only parts that could be manipulated.
'I have seen the passports where they have replaced the picture, they've taken the visa label from one passport to the other, passports are stolen, they are tampered with, or pictures are removed or added,' he said.
According to Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission, the EU is reportedly in the process of modernising its entry and exit policies to improve border security.
'[We are] saying goodbye to manual passport controls and welcoming electronic checks [to] speed up queues and improve security,' the spokesperson said.
The EU claims their upcoming Entry/Exit System will give them access to more reliable data on border crossings and detect overstayers automatically.
Is it the end of paper passports everywhere?
With Singapore’s recent introduction of its 'automated, passport-free immigration clearance', Dr Ahlawat said it’s likely that physical passports may be phased out in the future.
'It appears that in the next 10 years, the physical passport can be replaced, at least on a trial basis, with a digital passport,' Dr Ahlawat said.
However, passports uploaded onto mobile phones like credit cards may be unlikely.
'Because your battery may go flat, you may lose your mobile phone, [or] you may not have internet access in some of the countries,' he added.
Dr Ahlawat also believes that advancements in the use of 'biometrics' could one day verify one’s identity without the need for a passport.
'Your picture is being taken, palm prints are taken, and fingerprints,' he explained.
'For people who are lost, then there will be DNA sampling also.'
'So, it will be a complex dataset, and this dataset has to match [the records].'
But don’t throw out your passports yet! The expert admits that global adoption of these systems will be challenging for many countries.
'Mainly in Africa, Asian countries and Latin America more work needs to be done.'
'And whether all countries would like to join or not is also an issue. Some countries are involved in their own national security challenges or economic challenges.'
Travellers like Australian blogger Jarryd Salem still consider these inked souvenirs 'special'.
'Even though social media and blogs create long-lasting memories, we still consider passport stamps to be one of our favourite souvenirs; they are unique and tangible,' Salem shared.
'There's something special about a passport that you can physically touch and flick through.'
Meanwhile, Mr Turtle said that passports could be a 'hassle' for frequent travellers like him, as it did not take long for them to be filled up with stamps.
He described the potential change as 'bittersweet' saying: 'There [are] some very happy memories in here but there's also a bit of a logistical issue.'
'So you know, it'd be nice not to have that anymore.'
As automation and facial recognition systems gain traction, a new challenge emerges. This digital leap could mean convenient travelling for many as it streamlines processes.
This may also benefit senior travellers who often forget certain documents when travelling as they can rely on this technology to verify their identity digitally and without the need for paperwork.
Members, what are your thoughts on paperless travel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
But now, the ritual of passport stamping could soon be a thing of the past as countries shift to paperless, high-tech systems for tracking entries and exits.
Australian travel blogger Michael Turtle has fond memories of flipping through his old passports, seeing 155 stamps accumulated over 10 years of adventures.
'It's heaps of fun to sort of go back through your passport,' he said.
'I look at my old passports, and there are a lot of happy memories there. You know, the stamps often remind you of trips that you'd kind of forgotten about.'
Paperless travel may soon be a reality globally. Image source: Flickr.
However, countries worldwide are phasing out ink-and-paper stamps in favour of advanced electronic systems to increase security and efficiency at border crossings.
Australia was the first country to implement a SmartGate system using facial recognition and the passport’s electronic chip in airports back in December 2012.
Israel, Argentina, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macau have followed suit. The European Union (EU) is said to be next in line in removing passport stamping entirely.
But why change things?
Dalbir Ahlawat, a Border Security Expert from Macquarie University, explained that the move will make travel safer as stamps can be easily tampered with or counterfeited.
However, according to Dr Ahlawat, these are not the only parts that could be manipulated.
'I have seen the passports where they have replaced the picture, they've taken the visa label from one passport to the other, passports are stolen, they are tampered with, or pictures are removed or added,' he said.
According to Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission, the EU is reportedly in the process of modernising its entry and exit policies to improve border security.
'[We are] saying goodbye to manual passport controls and welcoming electronic checks [to] speed up queues and improve security,' the spokesperson said.
The EU claims their upcoming Entry/Exit System will give them access to more reliable data on border crossings and detect overstayers automatically.
Is it the end of paper passports everywhere?
With Singapore’s recent introduction of its 'automated, passport-free immigration clearance', Dr Ahlawat said it’s likely that physical passports may be phased out in the future.
'It appears that in the next 10 years, the physical passport can be replaced, at least on a trial basis, with a digital passport,' Dr Ahlawat said.
However, passports uploaded onto mobile phones like credit cards may be unlikely.
'Because your battery may go flat, you may lose your mobile phone, [or] you may not have internet access in some of the countries,' he added.
Dr Ahlawat also believes that advancements in the use of 'biometrics' could one day verify one’s identity without the need for a passport.
'Your picture is being taken, palm prints are taken, and fingerprints,' he explained.
'For people who are lost, then there will be DNA sampling also.'
'So, it will be a complex dataset, and this dataset has to match [the records].'
But don’t throw out your passports yet! The expert admits that global adoption of these systems will be challenging for many countries.
'Mainly in Africa, Asian countries and Latin America more work needs to be done.'
'And whether all countries would like to join or not is also an issue. Some countries are involved in their own national security challenges or economic challenges.'
Travellers like Australian blogger Jarryd Salem still consider these inked souvenirs 'special'.
'Even though social media and blogs create long-lasting memories, we still consider passport stamps to be one of our favourite souvenirs; they are unique and tangible,' Salem shared.
'There's something special about a passport that you can physically touch and flick through.'
Meanwhile, Mr Turtle said that passports could be a 'hassle' for frequent travellers like him, as it did not take long for them to be filled up with stamps.
He described the potential change as 'bittersweet' saying: 'There [are] some very happy memories in here but there's also a bit of a logistical issue.'
'So you know, it'd be nice not to have that anymore.'
As automation and facial recognition systems gain traction, a new challenge emerges. This digital leap could mean convenient travelling for many as it streamlines processes.
This may also benefit senior travellers who often forget certain documents when travelling as they can rely on this technology to verify their identity digitally and without the need for paperwork.
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