Detailed procedures for fingerprint collection for issuance of chip-mounted passports in Vietnam

Detailed procedures for fingerprint collection for issuance of chip-mounted passports in Vietnam (Illustrative image)

According to the provisions of the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Vietnamese Citizens 2019, a chip-mounted passport is a passport that contains an electronic device storing the holder's encrypted information and the digital signature of the issuer. At the same time, individuals aged 14 and over have the right to choose between being issued a chip-mounted passport or a passport without an embedded electronic chip in Vietnam. Those applying for a chip-mounted passport for the first time will need to have their photograph taken and fingerprints collected.

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular 110/2020/TT-BCA, for fingerprint collection for the issuance of a chip-mounted passport, citizens may have their fingerprints collected at the office receiving the passport application form (the Immigration Management Office of the Provincial Police).

Thus, to collect the fingerprints of those applying for a chip-mounted passport, Article 4 of Circular 110/2020/TT-BCA provides detailed guidance on the procedure for fingerprint collection for chip-mounted passports as follows:

- Fingerprints are collected using a specialized scanner as follows:

+ Collect the combined fingerprints of the four fingers of the right hand; the combined fingerprints of the four fingers of the left hand; the fingerprints of both thumbs; and the rolled fingerprints of ten fingers;

+ In cases where not all ten fingerprints can be collected, describe and input information on the condition of the fingerprints that could not be collected.

+ If fingerprints collected using a specialized scanner do not meet the standards for automatic identification, fingerprints may be collected using ink rolling, then scanned again for storage or retrieved from the Citizenship Database (if available) and specifically noted in the fingerprint collection file.

- The fingerprint collection officer must note, sign to confirm, and be responsible for the collected fingerprint data or the reason for not collecting the fingerprints.

Note: The fingerprint collection process using a specialized scanner or otherwise does not apply in cases where no fingerprints can be collected for automatic identification purposes.

Furthermore, when collecting fingerprints for the issuance of a chip-mounted passport, the following principles must be ensured:

- Fingerprint collection is performed directly, in one session using specialized equipment, software, supplies, or from the Citizenship Database to meet the requirements for collection, digitization, storage, and sharing of fingerprints on the electronic system to serve the identification verification of individuals when issuing chip-mounted passports and when exiting and entering through automated control gates in Vietnam.

- Ensure the accuracy and consistency between the personal information of the individual whose fingerprints are collected and the information in the National Immigration Database and the National Population Database.

- The collected fingerprint images of those applying for a chip-mounted passport and those registering to exit and enter through automated control gates must meet the following standards for automatic identification in Vietnam:

Comply with ISO/IEC 19794-4 standards with a minimum quality score of 50;

Minimum of 60 characteristic points;

The center of the fingerprint deviates from the center of the image by a maximum of 32 pixels;- Image resolution must be at least 500 dots per inch;

Images compressed according to WSQ standards;

Images must have 256 gray levels.

Ty Na

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