Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan Discuss Mutual Recognition of Biometric IDs for Cross-Border Travel

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are advancing plans to implement biometric identification documents for cross-border travel between the two nations, replacing traditional passports. The initiative represents a significant shift in border management procedures between the countries and builds upon both nations’ existing digital identity infrastructure.

The proposed system would enable mutual recognition of biometric ID cards as valid travel documents, eliminating the requirement for conventional foreign passports. These national biometric IDs contain embedded digital data, including fingerprints and facial recognition information, aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for secure travel documents.

Officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Azerbaijan’s State Migration Service have engaged in high-level discussions, alongside representatives from both nations’ foreign ministry consular and legal departments. The talks have centered on aligning migration policies and addressing technical implementation requirements, particularly focusing on interoperability between their respective biometric systems.

The initiative aims to streamline cross-border movement by reducing administrative processes such as visa applications and passport checks. Current data shows Uzbekistan ranks among Azerbaijan’s top 10 tourist source countries, with Uzbek visitors to Azerbaijan increasing by 16 percent year-over-year in 2024.

Uzbekistan implemented its biometric passport system in 2011, completing a transition from older documents by 2015. The existing infrastructure provides a foundation for the proposed cross-border identification system. The two countries have previously collaborated on migration policy, with Uzbekistan studying Azerbaijan’s e-visa system (ASAN Visa) in 2018 as part of its tourism development efforts. ASAN Visa has been recognized as a model for efficient digital visa processing in the region, processing over 1.5 million applications since its launch.

The initiative follows a broader regional trend toward automated border control systems and digital travel credentials. Similar systems have been successfully implemented in other regions, such as the European Union’s mutual recognition of national ID cards for travel between member states.

While the proposal awaits final agreement, implementation would require technical adjustments to ensure compatibility between both countries’ biometric systems, including the establishment of secure data exchange protocols and verification mechanisms. The initiative reflects broader regional efforts to modernize migration systems and enhance connectivity between Central Asia and the Caucasus, potentially serving as a model for future cross-border identification agreements in the region.

Source: Azerbaycan24

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January 31, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team