Dermalog develops biometric multi-purpose card for Maldives citizens

Maldives Immigration has introduced a new multi-purpose biometric ‘Passport Card’ that can be used as a passport, for payments, a national ID card, a driver’s license, a health card, and an insurance card.

Containing a combination of a dual-interface chip for contactless and contact card reading, the biometric card and system is developed by Dermalog and Maldives Immigration.

“This is why the cards also contain 10 fingerprints for secure verification,” Gunther Mull, the CEO of Dermalog, said. “Together with Maldives Immigration we are very proud about this very innovative and secure biometric card and system.”

While the majority of bank cards have a maximum durability of three years, the Maldives’ new card is the first bank card in the world which is made of Polycarbonate material that can last up to 10 years.

The new card is certified by the Bank of Maldives as well as by MasterCard, allowing the card to be used internationally like the credit issuer’s other cards.

Conforming to all international standards of a modern passport, the card can be used like a regular passport and works already at all borders of the Maldives, including the new electronic gates.

“The door is open for many other government departments and private companies to use our new Passport Card in future,” Mohamed Anwar, controller general of Maldives Immigration. “Research and development for the new card and it´s system has been done in close cooperation with the German company Dermalog, which is also known for its innovative biometric systems.”

Last month, Dermalog Identification Systems GmbH began seeking more opportunities in the Philippines’ identification and security sectors after providing biometrics-enabled drivers’ license cards for the country.

Article Topics

biometric payments  |  biometrics  |  civil ID  |  DERMALOG  |  healthcare  |  national ID  |  passports