In today’s world of international travel, the barcode on a passport, known as the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), holds significant importance beyond convenience. This barcode is a crucial tool for digital verification and emergency identification, assisting in cross-border coordination. It contains essential identity details such as passport number, full name, nationality, and expiry date, which are indispensable during emergencies, especially when documents are lost or stolen.
The Centre for Police Technology highlights the MRZ’s role in reducing administrative delays and errors, which is particularly beneficial for Indian travellers who often face challenges with spelling variations and multiple given names. A photo of the MRZ can expedite processes like the issuance of Emergency Certificates when a passport is lost overseas, ensuring quicker and more accurate verification.
Additionally, the MRZ is invaluable during foreign police reporting, where precise data is crucial. It also supports operations when the original passport is temporarily deposited for procedures like visa formalities. As digital systems for travel and policing evolve, the MRZ aids in minimizing errors and mismatches in digital verification processes.
However, the storage of a barcode photo must be secure. It should be kept in a password-protected or biometric-locked folder, with a secure cloud backup, and never shared unnecessarily or uploaded to unverified platforms. Importantly, a barcode photo is not a substitute for the physical passport, which remains essential for immigration and border control.
