ICAO 9303 (Travel Documents)¶
Definition¶
ICAO Doc 9303 is the international standard for Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) — defining passport format, MRZ structure, ePassport chip specifications, and biometric data storage. Published by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
What ICAO 9303 Specifies¶
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| MRZ format | TD1 (30×3), TD2 (36×2), TD3 (44×2) character layouts |
| MRZ content | Document type, name, nationality, DOB, sex, expiry, document number, check digits |
| OCR-B font | Standard font for MRZ printing |
| ePassport chip | LDS (Logical Data Structure), data groups DG1-DG16 |
| Face photo | ICAO face quality requirements (frontal, neutral, eyes open) |
| Fingerprint | Storage format for optional fingerprint data (DG3) |
| PKI | BAC, PACE, passive/active authentication protocols |
Key Takeaways¶
Summary
- ICAO 9303 is the global standard for passports and travel documents
- Defines MRZ format, check digits, ePassport chip, and biometric storage
- Essential for eKYC passport verification — MRZ parsing, NFC chip reading
- Updated periodically — latest editions cover NFC security enhancements