The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is preparing to introduce a new requirement for Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs): a standardized two-letter document type code. This change, set to roll out gradually over the next ten years, is expected to reshape how passports are issued, verified, and processed worldwide.
Currently, all ICAO-compliant passports begin with the letter P in the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) to denote passport. Some countries add a second letter, for example, PD for diplomatic or PO for official passports, but this second letter is optional and inconsistent across the world. As a result, automated border control systems and airlines sometimes face challenges when processing these documents, leading to manual intervention, delays, and occasional confusion.
The upcoming changes will remove this inconsistency by making the two-letter code mandatory and standardized worldwide. While the ICAO standardization will bring long-term consistency, solutions like Timatic Document Scan already enable airlines and airports to accurately read and interpret over 15,000 document types – including those with non-standard or missing codes – minimizing today’s manual interventions and delays.
1. Streamlined Border Control
Automated systems like e-gates will be able to instantly recognize the type of document, speeding up processing times and reducing queues. Airlines and airports can expect fewer disruptions during check-in and boarding. But with airport congestion increasing daily, airlines are turning to solutions such as Timatic Document Scan to solve the problem sooner. Timatic Document Scan’s advanced recognition engine already supports seamless e-gate and check-in processing for a wide range of document formats, reducing queues and manual checks even before global standardization is complete.
2. Enhanced Security
A globally uniform system will make it easier to spot forged or altered documents. Border officers and technology providers will be able to trust that all document types follow the same coding rules. Today, this security risk can be mitigated by leveraging Timatic’s comprehensive document database, where border officers and airlines can detect inconsistencies and potential fraud in real time, regardless of code variations.
3. Operational Efficiency
With fewer document inconsistencies, airlines will experience fewer last-minute check-in issues, while airports and border agencies will save costs by relying less on manual inspections. Embedding document scanning solutions earlier in the passenger journey can shift activity off-airport and help to identify and remove friction points ahead of time.
4. Future Proofing
As biometric verification and digital travel credentials become the norm with frameworks such as One ID and contactless travel, standardized passport codes will provide a stable foundation for the next generation of secure, technology-driven border controls.
For the average traveler, the change will not be something they notice in their day-to-day use of their passport, but the benefits will be felt.
Air travel is increasingly reliant on automation and biometric systems to manage growing passenger volumes. By standardizing passport codes, ICAO is supporting the transition to a globally harmonized travel experience, one that is faster, and better equipped for future technologies.
As the industry moves toward harmonization with ICAO’s standardization of passport codes, Timatic will continue to act as a trusted intermediary, translating evolving standards into actionable, real-time data for airlines and airports worldwide. By updating its database to align with the new ICAO standards, Timatic will ensure that airlines automatically receive accurate, standardized passport information through their existing systems. This means airlines won’t need to manually adjust or remap codes, reducing the risk of check-in errors and document mismatches. ICAO’s standardization of passport codes is a positive step for the industry, further supporting airlines, airports, and governments toward reducing friction in cross-border movement; and helping to facilitate a smoother journey for travelers.
