CARIPASS chooses 3M

3M Security Systems has deployed technology for CARIPASS, the border security programme for travellers in participating nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

According to 3M, CARIPASS is the first multilateral border crossing programme in the world. The voluntary travel card scheme provides secure border crossings for citizens and legal residents of 10 CARICOM nations. With the introduction of CARIPASS, participating governments aim to enhance regional security and support expedited travel throughout the participating member states. 

To participate in CARIPASS, eligible travellers must pre-enrol at local immigration or designated offices, and have a facial image and two fingerprint images captured. Users are then issued a card with a 2D barcode which they can use to electronically process through self-service border crossing gates. These gates are connected to the system’s user database, and after matching the user’s biometric data with that on the card, the gates open, allowing the traveller to pass through. The gate prints a receipt for the traveller to document his or her valid entry.

CARIPASS uses a number of new technologies sourced and integrated by 3M, allowing travellers to move quickly between 10 CARICOM nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“This one-of-a-kind programme which is premised on the cooperation of multiple sovereign states will help facilitate the efficient movement of travellers, while maintaining a high level of security,” says Lynne Anne Williams, executive director, CARICOM IMPACS.

The creation of the programme began after the successful implementation of a similar system used during the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

3M says one of the key components of the system is the new electronic immigration gate, the 3M Autogate Solution. It adds: “Autogates automate the border clearance process, allowing CARICOM to focus its immigration resources on higher risk travellers, while low risk travellers/CARIPASS holders benefit from quick and convenient processing.”