ePassport (MRTD)

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Contactless

Electronic passport with contactless chip storing biometric data (face, fingerprint) for automated border control.

Contactless | ICAO Doc 9303 (ePassport) | Since 2004

Quick Specs

Contactless
Interface Contactless
Chip Type Microprocessor
OS JavaCard
EAL Level EAL5+
Lifespan 10 years
First Deployed 2004

Full Specifications

Hardware

InterfaceContactless
Chip TypeMicroprocessor
Operating SystemJavaCard

Communication

ProtocolISO 14443
Extended APDU Nein
Logical Channels1

Security

EAL LevelEAL5+
Secure Element Ja
Tamper Resistant Ja
Crypto Coprocessor Ja
Biometric Support Nein

Cryptographic Algorithms

RSA-2048 RSA-4096 ECC-P256 SHA-256 3DES AES
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right smart card type for my project?

Consider four key factors: interface type (contact, contactless, or dual-interface), security requirements (EAL certification level), application domain (payment, identity, transport), and chip platform (JavaCard, MULTOS, native). For EMV payments, dual-interface cards are now standard. For government eID, EAL5+ certified cards are typically required.

What is the difference between a contact and contactless smart card?

Contact smart cards require physical insertion into a reader and communicate via the ISO 7816 interface (gold contact pads). Contactless cards use radio frequency (ISO 14443) and work within a few centimeters of a reader. Dual-interface cards combine both interfaces on a single chip, offering maximum flexibility.

What does EAL certification mean for smart cards?

EAL (Evaluation Assurance Level) is part of the Common Criteria framework for evaluating IT security. For smart cards, EAL4+ is common for payment cards, while EAL5+ or EAL6+ is required for government identity documents and ePassports. Higher EAL levels indicate more rigorous security testing and formal verification methods.