With this technology, Migration wants to speed up immigration control when travelers leave Colombia. According to the Director of Migration, Colombia is the only Latin American country to implement this technology in its migration processes. The government hopes to take this model to the international airports José María Córdova, in Medellín; Rafael Núñez, from Cartagena; and Ernesto Cortissoz, from Barranquilla.
Migration Colombia extended the use of facial biometrics for the departure of foreigners from the country. For now, the technology will only be available at Bogota’s El Dorado Airport.
Now foreigners who want to leave the country will have to carry out a biometric registration to be able to exit more easily. The technology called ‘Biomig for Foreigners’ will benefit international travelers over the age of 18, who visit Colombia for tourism or short-stay activities.
Facial Biometrics for Foreigners Available only in Bogotá
Biomig for foreigners works with biometric devices that Migration Colombia has in the emigration and immigration areas of the El Dorado Airport. With this technology, the agency wants to speed up immigration control when travelers leave Colombia.
The tool expedites immigration control, by allowing the registration of personal and travel information in advance, which expedites the passage through airport migration zones on international flights.
For the deputy director of Migration Control, Martha Hernández, this alternative is key to speeding up migration activities in the country:
“We have seen that Biomig machines are not used to their full capacity by travelers, when they could expedite their passage through immigration control points at airports. That is why we invite you to use this biometric tool and avoid unnecessary lines.”
The official also assured that facial biometrics for foreigners is a fundamental step to meet the growing demand of tourists. In addition, it is considered as one of the commitments of the recently approved National Development Plan Colombia, a world power of life.
Colombia, the only Country in Latin America to Implement Facial Biometrics in Airports
According to the general director of Migration Colombia, Fernando García Manosalva, Colombia is the only Latin American country to implement this technology in its migration processes.
“[Biomig] can potentially benefit the close to 450,000 travelers from other countries who visit Colombia during peak seasons.”
In order to implement facial biometrics for foreigners, Migration Colombia worked hand in hand with Opain, the current concessionaire of the El Dorado Airport, and the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI).
How to Make the Facial Biometrics’ Registration for Foreigners
Biomig for foreigners has five machines located in the emigration area of the El Dorado International Airport. In order for foreign tourists to register, they only have to follow three steps:
- Locate the passport in the document reading machine to validate and confirm your biographical data.
- Enter the flight number.
- Stand in front of the camera so that the machine performs biometric facial recognition.
When the process is completed, the automatic doors will open and foreign tourists will be able to quickly go to the departure lounge.
Migration Colombia ensures that the biometric registration is automatically activated at the time of check-in, by validating the face of the passengers and presenting their passport or visa.
Other Colombian Airports will join the Biometric Registry for Foreigners
The facial biometrics service for foreigners is only available at El Dorado Airport. Migration Colombia hopes to bring this model to the international airports José María Córdova, in Medellín; Rafael Núñez, from Cartagena; and Ernesto Cortissoz, from Barranquilla.
By Audy Castaneda
