INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Enterprise Security
Entrust wins UK Home Office tender to expand digitisation of immigration processes
Entrust , a global leader in trusted identity , payments and data has announced a new two-year agreement with options for two additional years with the Home Office to expand the digitisation of UK immigration application processes .
The solution enables a streamlined , more seamless way for travellers coming to the UK to be identified via their facial biometrics , bringing more secure border control and speeding up identity and border checks . This new contract will support the pending UK Electronic Travel authorisation that could apply to 30 million travellers per year .
According to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ), the net number of migrants has recovered from the dip seen during the pandemic . This increase in travel and migration to pre-pandemic levels creates a pressing need to simplify and digitise entry processes . The Entrust Identity and Document Verification-as-a-Service ( IDVaaS ) enables faster and more secure immigration application processing , mitigating the need for applicants to physically send their passport to the Home Office or apply in person . applications and border declarations ,” said Gordon Wilson , Vice President of Identity Verification for Entrust . “ The technology ensures personal and unique biometric data is processed securely and efficiently , helping to digitise and streamline border control systems . This , in turn , helps travellers to the UK benefit from a more seamless journey and reduces the need for hard copy paperwork and in-person appointments . This also serves to strengthen the UK ’ s border security by enabling the Home Office to identify quickly and confidently that someone really is who they say they are .”
Generic Identity and Document Verification ( GIDV ) builds on the use of IDVaaS since 2019 to support the EU Settlement scheme for EU nationals following Brexit . It has also been applied to help the resettlement of Hong Kong-based British passport holders , for some overseas student categories and for Ukrainian refugees applying for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa .
GIDV will be used to enable the UK ’ s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme ( ETA ) which is due to begin in late 2023 . This is a core piece of the UK government ’ s plans to introduce Universal Permission to Travel . Passengers will be asked to declare their identity before travelling , as well as the reasons for travel via a digital application process using the same Entrust biometric identification technology . p
The service works in conjunction with Home Office online application processes and involves the use of a mobile app which scans the chip in a person ’ s passport . The applicant then takes a ‘ selfie ’ or scan of their face which is matched against their image on the passport chip . A liveness test ensures that the applicant is a real , live person and matches the verified identity document . This information is sent securely to the Home Office which verifies the identity of the passport holder and completes the application process .
“ Entrust ’ s secure identity technology acts as the ‘ front door ’ to digital immigration
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