This article describes how to scan your passports NFC chip
As part of your Identity Verification, you may be asked to scan your passport using NFC technology if you have submitted your passport as your Identity Document through the Credas App. This article is split into sections:
- What is a NFC Scan?
- How to scan your passport.
If you have not submitted a passport as your form of Identity Document, you will not be asked to complete this check.
What is a NFC Scan?
NFC (Near Field Communication) scanning for passports is a technology that allows for the information stored in a passports chip by simply holding the passport close to a compatible device, like a smartphone or NFC reader. Modern passports have an embedded NFC chip within which you will often scan at airports when arriving back in the United Kingdom in airports such as Heathrow or Stansted.
Does your phone have a NFC reader?
To scan your passport, you will need a phone that has a NFC reader. If you have used your phone for Tap to Pay (Apple Pay/Google Pay) previously, then you have a NFC reader on your phone. If you are still unsure, please search on the internet to check if your phone model has NFC capability. If your phone does not have a NFC reader, the NFC scan will skip after three failed attempts, and you can move onto the next stage of your Identity Verification.
Where is the NFC reader on your phone?
iPhone: The NFC reader is near your camera on the back of the phone
Android: The NFC reader is on the back of the phone, either at the top or middle of the phone
Other: Please search on the internet to check where your NFC reader is if you are unsure.
Does your passport have the chip needed for this scan?
This NFC scan only works with biometric (e-passports) that have RFID chips. To check if your passport has a RFID chip, please look for the below symbol on the cover of your passport. If your passport does not have a chip, the NFC scan will skip after three failed attempts, and you can move onto the next stage of your Identity Verification. The chip may be in the front or back cover and varies in location
How do you scan the passport using NFC?
To scan your passport, hold your phone over the passport flat, as shown on the image below. We also suggest the following the below tips:
- Remove any covers, case or wallet from your passport or phone.
- Lay your passport on a hard and flat surface such as a table, and lay your phone as flat as possible against the passport. There should be little to no gap between the two items.
- If the app is indicating that the scan has not begun, move your phone slowly across the surface of the passport until the phone shows the scan has started.
- For some phone models, you will be presented with 5 green dots to represent that the scan is in progress and then finished, which can be seen below.
If you are still struggling after following the above steps, or your phone/passport do not have the functionality to complete the scan, the NFC scan will skip after three failed attempts, and you can move onto the next stage of your Identity Verification.
