The e-passport market demonstrates substantial growth potential, with projections showing expansion from USD 69.6 billion in 2025 to USD 479.0 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 23.8%. This growth trajectory is supported by increasing international travel demand, enhanced security requirements, and government initiatives to modernize border control infrastructure worldwide.
A significant market development occurred in May 2025 when India launched the ePassport facility as part of its broader modernization initiative for enhanced security, quicker immigration, and fraud prevention, joining the ranks of advanced nations like the USA, Canada, France, Japan and Australia in embracing groundbreaking next generation ePassport technology. The rollout initially covers 13 major cities with plans to extend to all Passport Seva Kendras across the country by mid-2025 according to Business Today reporting.
The technological foundation of modern e-passport security has evolved significantly with the adoption of advanced authentication protocols. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted the password-based connection establishment protocol (PACE) for securing the contactless communication between the machine-readable travel documents and the readers at border controls according to SpringerLink research. This protocol addresses growing cybersecurity concerns by implementing robust authentication mechanisms that protect sensitive biometric data from unauthorized access during border inspections.
The global deployment of e-passport technology has reached substantial scale, with more than 140 States and non-state entities (e.g. United Nations, European Union) currently issuing ePassports, and over 1 billion ePassports in circulation as reported by ICAO. These electronic passports enhance security by embedding electronic chips that store biographical information and digital security features, including country-specific digital signatures that can be verified using respective certificates, providing multiple layers of protection against counterfeiting and identity fraud.
The leisure travel segment dominates e-passport applications, with leisure travel held the largest share in the e-passport market at 55.2% owing to the rise in international tourist arrivals and the wider accessibility of global travel according to SNS Insider. This trend reflects increasing disposable incomes and easier international travel booking processes, driving demand for more efficient and secure travel documentation that reduces processing times at border checkpoints and enables automated self-service options at major international airports.
Looking forward, the e-passport market is positioned for continued expansion as governments worldwide prioritize border security modernization and travelers increasingly demand seamless, secure travel experiences. The integration of advanced biometric technologies, enhanced cryptographic security protocols, and improved accessibility features will continue driving market growth across both developed and emerging economies, supported by ongoing international standardization efforts and technological innovation in secure document manufacturing.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 69.6 billion |
| Industry Size (2035F) | USD 479.0 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 23.8% |
The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global E-passport market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035. This assessment outlines changes in the E-passport industry and identify revenue trends, offering key decision makers an understanding about market performance throughout the year.
H1 represents first half of the year from January to June, H2 spans from July to December, which is the second half. In the first half H1 of the year from 2024 to 2034, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 22.8%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 23.3% in the second half H2 of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 2024 | 22.8% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 2024 | 23.3% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 2025 | 23.8% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 2025 | 24.1% (2025 to 2035) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 23.8% in the first half and remain higher at 24.1% in the second half. In the first half H1 the market witnessed an increase of 50 BPS while in the second half H2, the market witnessed an increase of 30 BPS.
The e-passport market is seeing substantial growth, driven by the rising adoption of Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE) technology for enhanced security and the increasing share of leisure travel applications. By 2025, PACE security solutions are expected to grow at a CAGR of 26.8%, while leisure travel will continue to dominate the market, accounting for 66.7% of ePassport issuance.
By 2025, Password Authenticated Connection Establishment (PACE) is expected to grow significantly, with a projected CAGR of 26.8% from 2025 to 2035 in the e-passport market. PACE enhances ePassport security by employing a password-based mutual authentication process between the passport chip and the inspection system. This system helps mitigate risks related to unauthorized data access, which is becoming a growing concern as foreign cyber threats increasingly target biometric passport data.
In response to the growing need for secure personal identification, many governments have adopted PACE-compliant ePassports, in alignment with the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. For example, Germany committed in 2023 to upgrading its entire ePassport fleet to PACE encryption, enhancing protection against identity theft.
Furthermore, over 80% of EU countries have already integrated PACE technology to strengthen border security and traveler authentication. The rising number of countries adopting PACE highlights its role in bolstering ePassport security on a global scale.
In 2025, leisure travel is projected to account for 66.7% of global ePassport issuance, continuing to hold the largest share in the market. This growth is largely driven by the rise in international travel and the simplification of visa processing mechanisms, which have streamlined border entry and reduced wait times.
The increased uptake of biometric-based travel authentication has significantly improved the traveler experience, particularly for leisure tourists. In fact, by September 2023, over 50% of all new ePassports issued were for leisure travelers. Government-driven tourism initiatives further contribute to this trend. For example, in 2023, China issued over 25 million ePassports, primarily for outbound leisure travelers.
Similarly, in the USA, the Department of State reported a 15% increase in passport applications among leisure travelers in 2024, attributed to more efficient ePassport processing and digital verification systems. As leisure travel continues to dominate the global market, ePassports are increasingly seen as the key to improving travel experiences and ensuring secure, seamless international journeys.
Growing Demand for Secure RFID ePassport Chips
Biometric passports are being adopted by governments of various countries in order to increase security and speed of border control, driving the demand for RFID ePassport chip solutions. Passports with RFID tags help to store and access biometric as well as personal information rapidly, resulting in faster authentication processes and lesser chances of identity theft.
ICAO has made biometric passport a global standard, leading to huge investments in security chip technology. The United States, Germany, and India are among the many countries to adopt RFID-based ePassport, with India set to release more than 100 million ePassport by 2027.
With deepening concerns over identity theft and forgery, governments are enhancing passport security. In 2024, the European Union established regulations mandating enhanced encryption standards on RFID passport chips, aiming to block unauthorized data access.
The USA government also announced a USD 1.2 billion plan to "modernize" overstretched passport systems with next-generation RFID technology. And that is critical because the number of air passengers worldwide is expected to hit 9.7 billion in 2050, so a faster and more secure identity verification method is needed.
AI-Powered ePassport PKI Software for Identity Verification
AI is revolutionizing the landscape of ePassport PKI software, it led to automated identity verification, fraud detection, and compliance management. PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) keeps digital passport data encrypted and tamper-proof.
AI-powered PKI systems are being adopted by governments to boost immediate authentication and cross-border verification, resulting in increased efficiency while heightening security. To ensure automated verification at immigration checkpoints, 85% of worldwide ePassports will utilize AI-driven PKI solutions by the year 2025.
In a significant part of recent news, the UK government announced a new integration of AI-based PKI authentication with the process of passport verification to streamline over 7 million passport verifications carried out annually.
Interestingly, the ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority) became the first immigration authority in the world to deploy an AI-driven ePassport system in 2023, which saves almost 40% manual verification time. And these developments are particularly needed, as more and more travelers are using automated border control (ABC) eGates, which involve fast, secure passport validation.
Increasing Adoption of ePassport Signing & Validation Software
As a result, the usage of ePassport signing & validation software globally is growing rapidly to enhance passport authentication and border control. This software is vital in validating e-signatures and ensuring data integrity and preventing passport forgery.
As more and more countries deploy biometric and digital passports, there is an increased demand for safe signing and validation solutions. By 2026, more than 90% of issued passports shall employ more sophisticated ePassport testing systems as means to allow secure travel around the world.
In 2024, a new ePassport security initiative was launched by the European Commission in response to rampant passport fraud within 27 member states; stricter digital signatures would now be the standard. The Australian government also recently announced a USD 500 million investment in new passport validation systems where they'd expect to cut document fraud by 60% over the next three years. These initiatives therefore demonstrate the enormous potential of automated digital signature verification in the context of contemporary border security strategies.
High Investment Challenges in ePassport Infrastructure
Cost of development of the ePassport infrastructure by biometric technology, chip design Company, and authentication market restricts the growth of ePassport market, and serve as key restraints for the market. Governments need to upgrade the systems with which they issue passports, control the checkpoints at their borders, and verify travelers and the process required a good measure of money.
The blanket charge is based on the significant investment required in technology and RFID chips, which can jack up the cost of each ePassport compared to non-RFID models. Moreover, the overall cost burden is raised by installing automated eGates and systems for real-time authentication.
Budget constraints present a major obstacle to widespread ePassport adoption in developing nations, delaying rollout schedules as a result. Even in advanced regions, governments need to justify high upfront expenses before committing to widespread implementation. Infrastructure hurdles from upgrading airport security systems and personnel training to keeping up with digital database maintenance all of it drives up the costs even more.
Tier 1 vendors, which represent about 50% to 55% of all market share. Some of them are major players in the field of RFID chip manufacturing, biometric security, or large-volume passport issuance solutions. They're driven by strong partnerships with the government, working research and development facilities and mass production facilities. Serving regions with high demand, including North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific with strict international travel controls and regulations.
Tier 2 vendors represent approximately 15% to 20% of the market and include regional players and specialized technology providers. On the other hand, these companies develop ePassport authentication software, PKI security module, and digital verification technologies.
Although they lack the global scale of the Tier 1 vendors in the biometric security space - they do offer additional encryption solutions to round out their portfolios - they play a significant role in both emerging markets and niche applications.
Tier 3 vendors make up the balance of the market, or the bottom 20% to 25%, and include small- to mid-size manufacturers, local integrators, and other service providers. These vendors primarily provide the hardware components, customisation services and support solutions that governments and enterprises implement in adopting ePassport technology. While their market primacy is less than that of larger counterparts, they serve as essential pieces to implementing lower price point and more localized solutions-especially in developing areas.
The section highlights the CAGRs of countries experiencing growth in the E-passport market, along with the latest advancements contributing to overall market development. Based on current estimates China, India and USA are expected to see steady growth during the forecast period.
| Countries | CAGR from 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| India | 29.2% |
| China | 28.0% |
| Germany | 21.4% |
| Japan | 25.7% |
| United States | 22.5% |
India Accelerates the Transition to ePassport System for Citizens Balaji Subramanya, IHAK in ePassport consulting services is steadily increasing in India as the nation fast-tracks the transition to ePassport system for citizens. # India aims to roll out biometric ePassports by 2030 ePassports will be 100% biometric, having embedded chips and antennas for international travel with enhanced security Features.
It therefore necessitates the need for a wide range of consultation services-policy planning, system integration, and cybersecurity. On top of that, India’s Ministry of External Affairs will also be ramping up passport issuance centres across the country to tackle long queues to apply for ePassports.
Recent Initiatives: In 2021, an Indian biometric passport pilot project was launched, aiming to issue over 10 million biometric passports based on chip technology by 2025. This is leading to the increasing demand of consulting services for public awareness programs, training modules for passport offices, & infrastructure enhancements.
According to experts amid India’s “Digital India” move, blockchain and AI-based authentication security measures are being adopted. India is anticipated to see substantial growth at a CAGR 29.2% from 2025 to 2035 in the E-passport market.
USA E-Passport Integration & Deployment Services Market 2023 to 2030: Growing concern for security measures and increasing demand for digital authentication in travel are likely to drive services market growth. All newly issued USA Department of State passports feature RFID chips and biometric data, necessitating a massive overhaul of passport issuance systems. Over 22 million ePassports were issued in the USA in 2023 alone, indicating how heavily we depend on more sophisticated border control technology.
The Turkish and USA governments both use biometric eGates at major international airports to check travelers’ identities automatically, thanks to the data the authorities and agreement facilitate security. The government has allocated over USD 1.5 billion toward initiatives to augment the capabilities of the ePassport system before 2026, including a framework for AI-facilitated fraud detection and encrypted PKI infrastructure.
Integration services ensure that these technologies run smoothly within and between various government agencies, as well as at international checkpoints. USA E-passport market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR 22.5% during this period.
China's commercial ePassport (as opposed to a more common passport) printing service industry is surging thanks to government pushes toward fully digitized travel documents. More than 30 million ePassports were issued in China in 2022, and the volume is likely to increase with the implementation of new biometric authentication policies. Ministry of Public Security has collaborated with state-funded tech companies to improve ePassport production with high-security printing and encryption technologies
So here is a major announcement from China’s National Immigration Administration: the launch of a nationwide upgrade to second generation ePassports, each passport containing an embedded facial recognition chip reinforced with tamper-proof RFID technology.
To meet this demand, high-volume passport printing facilities capable of producing millions of secure documents per year will need to be created. Moreover, demand for business and travel ePassports is growing due to the pockets of economic growth across the region to support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through seamless connectivity, necessitating scalable solutions for ePassports printing. E-passport market in China accounts for 64.2% of global market share and continues to grow at a high CAGR between 2025 and 2035.
The worldwide e-passport market is competitive, with high entry barriers that delay new entrants in the space and consequently leading to a monopoly of Tier 1 players due to their highly advanced biometric and encryption technology. Tier 2 - Regional players providing service integration and deployment. Tier 3 vendors focus on niche segments, primarily offering print and support services. Growing government initiatives and regulatory compliance fuels competition at all levels. Ongoing innovation in security features is fueling various collaborations and technological improvements.
Industry Update
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry Size (2025E) | USD 69.6 billion |
| Industry Size (2035F) | USD 479.0 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 23.8% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Quantitative Units | USD billion for value |
| Solutions Analyzed (Segment 1) | RFID ePassport Chip, ePassport PKI Software, ePassport Signing & Validation Software Modules, Services |
| Applications Analyzed (Segment 2) | Business Travel, Leisure Travel |
| Security Features Analyzed (Segment 3) | Basic Access Control, Password Authenticated Connection Establishment, Supplemental Access Control, Extended Access Control |
| Regions Covered | North America; Latin America; East Asia; South Asia & Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Middle East & Africa (MEA); Europe |
| Countries Covered | United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, UAE, South Africa |
| Key Players influencing the E-passport Market | Thales Group, IDEMIA, Entrust Corporation, Veridos GmbH, HID Global, Infineon Technologies AG, Gemalto (A Thales Company), De La Rue plc, Oberthur Technologies, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales by solution category (RFID vs. PKI Software), Regional demand trends, Adoption of security features, Business vs. leisure travel dynamics, Future role of biometrics in passport technology |
In terms of solution, the segment is divided into RFID ePassport Chip, ePassport PKI Software, ePassport Signing & Validation Software Modules and Services.
In terms of application, the segment is segregated into Business Travel and Leisure Travel.
In terms of security, the segment is segregated into Basic Access Control, Password Authenticated Connection Establishment, Supplemental access Control and Extended Access Control.
A regional analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Europe.
The Global E-passport industry is projected to witness CAGR of 23.8% between 2025 and 2035.
The Global E-passport industry stood at USD 69.6 billion in 2025.
The Global E-passport industry is anticipated to reach USD 479.0 billion by 2035 end.
South Asia & Pacific is set to record the highest CAGR of 27.4% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the Global E-passport Industry Thales Group, IDEMIA, Entrust Corporation, Veridos GmbH, HID Global, Infineon Technologies AG, Gemalto (A Thales Company), De La Rue plc, Oberthur Technologies, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D).
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