Latin America (LatAm) boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and identities, intricately woven into the fabric of each nation. At the heart of this diversity lies the passport, a symbolic gateway that not only facilitates travel but also embodies the essence of sovereignty and citizenship.
In this two-part series, we embark on a journey through the galleries of Latin American travel documents, tracing their evolution into modern examples of security and design.
Passports serve as indispensable companions for travellers venturing across borders, their pages adorned with stamps and stickers narrating tales of exploration and adventure. In LatAm, these essential documents have undergone a remarkable transformation to align with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
While some passports still bear the imprint of traditional machine-readable zones (MRZ) without electronic chips, others have embraced cutting-edge technologies, such as embedded microchips and cryptographic protection. These advances not only enhance security but also streamline the immigration process.
Beyond the realm of technology, LatAm countries have invested in innovative design and personalisation techniques to distinguish their passports. Intricate patterns, vivid colours, and embossed emblems reflect the cultural heritage and national pride of each nation, transforming these documents into works of art.
As ever, security remains paramount in the issuance of passports across LatAm. Rigorous measures, both physical and electronic, are implemented to safeguard sensitive information and deter counterfeiters. Multiple photographs, holographic elements, and biometric data further bolster the authenticity of these documents, providing confidence to both travellers and border control officials.
Argentina
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Registro Nacional de las Personas
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: three letters followed by six digits
- Photo: integrated. Ghost image in middle zone
- Fingerprint on front data page
- Holder signature: in right-hand zone
Bolivia
- National ePassport
- Validity: 6 years
- Issued by: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: two letters followed by five digits
- Photo: integrated. Ghost image in middle zone
- Holder signature: below photo
Brazil
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Policía Federal
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: two letters followed by six digits
- Photo: integrated. Second photo on front, right-hand zone
Chile
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Servicio de Registro Civil e Identificación
- Data page: polycarbonate
- Numbering sequence: a letter followed by eight digits
- Photo: black and white. Second photo in right-hand zone
- Holder signature: below photo
Colombia
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Cancillería
- Data page: polycarbonate
- Numbering sequence: two letters followed by six digits
- Photo: black and white. Ghost image. Laser image in upper right- hand zone
- Holder signature: in right-hand zone
Costa Rica
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
- Data page: polycarbonate
- Numbering sequence: a letter followed by eight digits
- Photo: colour. A second holder photo in upper zone
Cuba
- National Passport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Dirección de Identificación, Inmigración y Extranjería. Ministerio del Interior
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: a letter followed by six digits
- Photo: integrated. Ghost image
- Barcode: above MRZ text
- Holder signature: below photo
Ecuador
- National ePassport
- Validity: 10 years
- Issued by: Dirección General de Registro Civil Identificación y Cedulación
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: a letter followed by seven digits
- Photo: colour. Second photo in upper area
- Holder signature: in right-hand zone
El Salvador
- National ePassport
- Validity: 6 years
- Issued by: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
- Data page: paper
- Numbering sequence: a letter followed by eight digits
- Photo: integrated. Second photo in right-hand zone
- Holder signature: below photo
Editor’s note: we will continue the LatAm gallery of passports in a future edition. To learn more about the latest technologies and techniques in the production and issue of ePassports, ID cards, visas, banknotes and other secure documents across Latin America, register for the High Security Printing™ Latin America conference in Santiago, Chile (3-5 June).
hsp-latinamerica.com
