ICAO 9303

ICAO Doc 9303 is the international specification for Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) such as e-passports. It standardizes layout, security features, MRZ formats, and chip data groups so border systems and IDV tools can read documents consistently worldwide.E-passports incorporate an NFC chip with a digitally signed facial image (and sometimes fingerprints/iris), enabling cryptographic authenticity checks. For compliance and KYC, ICAO 9303 simplifies document parsing, MRZ verification, and chip signature validation, reducing fraud and manual errors. Implementations often pair chip reads with visual forensics (holograms, UV, microprint) and selfie+liveness to confirm holder ownership. Participation in the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) supports trust in issuing-state certificates. Following 9303 improves interoperability, accelerates remote onboarding, and raises assurance that documents are genuine and unaltered, especially in cross-border financial services.