Colombia Brings In Gemalto’s Biometric Authentication Technology for Border Control

Gemalto and INCOMELEC SAS, a Colombian partner, are transforming the immigration and border crossing in Colombia through biometric iris verification implemented by Migración Colombia, the country’s border control agency. This solution was launched in February with a pilot program at Bogota’s El Dorado International Airport. The Automated Border Control (ABC) is known locally as BIOMIG.
 
Gemalto’s ABC speeds identity authentication and significantly reduces bottlenecks in the immigration process while maintaining strong security control for each traveler.
 
The solution integrates a highly intuitive iris recognition terminal that allows swift long-range iris capture from 35 to 45 centimeters away. This eliminates physical contact with the terminal and improves comfort and ease of use. To use the service, Colombian citizens aged 12 and older only need to visit one of 30 BIOMIG enrollment stations at the airport as they exit the country. In less than one minute, their unique iris scan is securely registered with Colombia’s Border Management System (BMS).
 
When re-entering the country, previously enrolled citizens simply enter their national ID number on a touchscreen integrated with an automated door barrier by INCOMELEC, SAS. After a quick glance at the iris reader terminal, identity is validated via a secure digital process and the automatic doors swing open.
 
“The challenge with border control solutions is to minimize and simplify immigration procedures​while improving ease, speed and convenience for end users – without compromising security. This is exactly what the ABC Iris solution achieves,” said Francesc Ortodo, sales director for government programs Latin America at Gemalto.