Will my biometric passport still work if I don't have any data stored on the chip?
I got a biometric passport and due to system failure at a time I was told that my Consulate wasn't able to put data on the chip. (No data at all) I need to travel to France with school for 3 weeks and French consulate said that if I have a biometric passport I don't need Schengen visa to enter. I told both Ukrainian and French Consulates that I have biometric passport but there's no data stored on it and both said: " It's still a biometric passport." Does anyone know how it works and will I have any problem with the border control because of the missing data on the chip? I'd think my passport would count as invalid for visa-free entry. Does anyone know anything about this? Please advise.
Best Answer
You might also find this question relevant as your case is not much different from a failed chip.
In my opinion you should have no issues, especially considering the French consulate confirmed it. The document you are being issued is indeed "biometric passport" (Ukraine doesn't issue any other type of passport for over a year now) and thus you satisfy the requirements.
Thinking about it, except very few people who bothered with NFC readers, nobody has any idea whether their passport chip contains any data. I have UA and US passports myself, and have no idea whether their chips contain anything, as I never bothered to check.
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What data is stored on a passport?
The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport's data page: the holder's name, date of birth, and other biographic information. An e-Passport also contains a biometric identifier. The United States requires that the chip contain a digital photograph of the holder.What is the difference between biometric and non biometric passport?
The main difference between the 2 types of travel documents is that the ePassport contains a microprocessor chip which is embedded inside it. This chip contains biometric information that can be used to identify the holder accurately. As traditional passports do not contain the chip they are therefore less secure.Do you need fingerprint for passport?
At the centre, you will also need to submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. A digital finger scanner collects images of at least 4 fingers, and you will have a digital photo taken.ANTS - The chip in the biometric passport
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