How automation technology and facial recognition is used to process Canadian passports and passport photos
The Government of Canada uses proven technologies to help process passport applications. Embracing technology responsibly is essential to modernizing our systems and improving client service.
Automated processing of adult renewals
What the tool does
Automation technology
- helps passport officers process routine adult passport renewals
- confirms that application information matches the information on file from their last passport
- confirms there are no restrictions or reasons to deny a passport
- operates as an add-on and helps increase the efficiency of passport renewals
It does not replace a passport officer. If any condition is not met, it always goes to a passport officer for further review. Refusals will always be made by a passport officer.
This technology will help us to continue to issue passports within service standards even as we experience periods of high demand. All applications are reviewed using the same rules, whether by an officer or by the tool.
What the tool does not do
Officers continue to manually review and make decisions on all first-time applications, children’s applications and complex files.
Decisions to refuse, cancel or revoke a passport continue to be made by an officer.
- A completed algorithmic impact assessment concluded that the tool has little to no impact on Canadians and has all the necessary privacy and security safeguards in place.
- A Gender-Based Analysis Plus assessment concluded that the tool doesn’t change the criteria used by officers to determine who is entitled to passport services.
Facial recognition for passport photos
What the tool does
We use a facial recognition system to compare photos submitted with a passport application against previously submitted photos from past applications in our database. This helps us quickly confirm that the applicant is the same person who was issued a passport before.
It also helps ensure they haven’t
- applied for multiple passports
- been flagged in our system as someone who should be denied a passport by a court order or other reason under the Canadian Passport Order
Using facial recognition helps us
- streamline passport renewals processing
- prevent fraud
- keep Canadians safe
What the tool does not do
The facial recognition system does not make decisions on passport applications. If a photo doesn’t match or if there is an issue, the application is sent to an officer for manual review.
- An algorithmic impact assessment concluded that, since the facial recognition system doesn’t make the decision to issue or refuse travel documents, it has little to no effect on clients’ rights, health or economic interests. It was also found to have the necessary privacy and security measures in place.
- A Gender-Based Analysis Plus assessment concluded that the facial recognition algorithm is very accurate for the groups it was tested on. It also showed that both the system and its processes don’t cause unfair treatment or have negative impacts on clients based on their gender or age.
Developing the technology
We have a contract with an external firm to service and maintain the system. The program has used facial recognition since 2010. Learn more about how IRCC assesses and reviews tools to ensure they are developed and used responsibly.