Passport/NFC Scan Help

Guidance on how to complete your NFC Scan

As part of your check, you will be asked to scan your NFC if you have submitted your passport as your ID Document through the App. If you have not submitted a Passport as your form of Identity Document, you will not be asked to complete this check. If you would like to learn more about NFC's and how to scan it, please read below.

What is a NFC scan?

NFC (Near Field Communication) scanning for passports is a technology that allows you to read the information stored in the passport's chip by simply holding the passport close to a compatible device, like a smartphone or NFC reader. Modern passports have an embedded NFC chip that stores your personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and passport number, along with your photograph. You can scan this in the same way you would when using Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay at a store.

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) then you have a NFC reader. If you are still unsure, please search on the internet to check if your phone model has NFC capability. 

Where is the NFC reader on your phone?

• iPhone: The NFC reader is near your camera, on the back of your phone at the top
• Android: Your NFC reader is on the back of your phone, but depending on your Android model, the NFC reader is either at the top or in the middle of the phone
• Other: Please search on the internet to check where your NFC reader is.

Does your passport have the chip needed for this scan?

This NFC scan only works with biometric or electronic passports that have RFID chips. To check if your passport has a RFID chip, the below symbol should be on the cover of your passport.

How do you scan the NFC?

• To scan your passport, hold your phone over the passport flat as shown in the image below
• Hold your phone still until the phone indicates the scan is finished

If you are struggling, please try the following tips:

1. Remove any covers, case or wallet from your passport and phone
2. Lay you passport on a hard and flat surface such as a table, and lay your phone flat against the passport. There should be no gap between the two items
3. 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, as can be seen in the below screenshot. Once the scan has started, hold your phone completely still until complete

If you are still struggling after following the above steps, the NFC step will skip after three failed attempts and you can move onto the next step.

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