Border agencies are being asked to cope with a rapid increase in traveller numbers and, within new security and cost constraints, to facilitate a swift and secure passenger experience.
They are requested to boost legitimate trade and travel, prevent illegal immigration or identity fraud and tighten security measures at border crossings.
With the massive surge of electronic travel documents and national eID cards, Thales is supporting border agencies, government authorities and airports to exploit technology convergence to gain consistent, comprehensive border, visa management and document verification that will:
- Deliver seamless travel with online visa applications
- Offer convenience for travellers for fast and secure border crossing
- Improve border intelligence for detection and prevention.
Understand how biometrics is radically transforming the "passenger experience" at airports, making the journey not only quicker but also much less stressful and more secure in our web dossier.
Discover Thales Cogent biometric technologies and how they can be implemented in biometric entry-exit tracking systems such as DHS's IDENT or EU's EURODAC for immigration control.
The EES regulation will also impact European borders soon. Learn more with our web dossier on the Schengen Entry-Exit System.
Border Management
Gemalto Border Management provides a full range of applications to implement best-practice immigration processes and state-of-the-art technologies at border management headquarters (HQ) and border control points (BCPs).
Visa Management System
Gemalto Visa Management is a full suite of service-oriented applications designed to securely manage visa applications and issue visas, eVisas and resident permits.
Document Verification
Travel and identity document verification forms an integral part of sensitive processes like enrollment and registration, as well as in situations where certified identity is crucial - such as at border stations or during bank transactions.
Automated Border Control (ABC)
Gemalto Automated Border Control (ABC) is an automated immigration control product that combines the latest technologies of electronic gate hardware and border control software.
Mobile Border and Visa Apps
Ease of use, convenience, massive costs savings using a full-fledged inspection system in officer’s pocket are only a few of the motivations that characterize the development of the Coesys Mobile Border and Visa Apps now deployed on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Customer Stories
Ghana
Ghana’s migration profile continues to evolve as its rapidly expanding oil industry fuels employment and growth. To keep up with its thriving economy, the Ghanaian government recently outlined its first-ever national migration policy. In 2013, Ghana decided to put Thales in charge of its national electronic visa and border management solution. This advanced e-Immigration system is fundamental to the whole eGhana project, an ambitious plan to create a modern IT infrastructure that can support sustainable development in the years ahead. It will put the country’s border control processes on a par with best practices worldwide.
Argentina
As of September 2011, with prime contractor VALID Argentina, the company started to deliver state-of-the-art biometric live enrolment systems for all embassies & consulates around the globe for the issuance of all national travel & id documents. The 160 workstations and related software have been customized for the Republic of Argentina. The system collects biographical information and captures & quality assures biometric data such as photo, fingerprints and signature and secures the archiving of supporting documents.
Serving over 40 sovereign governments
The world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide is using over 10 Gemalto Visa Management Software to serve over 800 visa application centres located in over 80 countries across five continents.
Oslo Airport
Oslo International Airport is now equipped with electronic gates to simplify automatic border crossing. The Norwegian border police chose Thales to provide an automated biometric identity management solution, initially for Norwegian citizens.
Gabon
In February 2016, Gabon's Department of Homeland Security selected Thales to supply and implement a fully integrated border and visa management system. The new scheme will strengthen national security, improve operational efficiency and enhance the travelling experience for people entering and leaving the Central African state.
As of July 2016, travellers to the Central African nation of Gabon can now apply for visas online.
South Africa
The Refugee and National Deportation system for the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa handles countrywide refugees and illegal immigrants, including their deportation procedure. It consists of a customized enterprise solution with more 500 workstations distributed around the country and a central refugee register that handles all related workflows and procedures, including an interface to the national fingerprint system (AFIS) and National Population Register. The system has more than 28 different applications covering all possible steps part of the Refugee and Deportation procedures based on local regulations. The implementation consisted of 2 phases and was completed in 2008.
High-profile European bank
In 2012, Thales signed on as prime contractor with a high-profile European bank (name confidential) to deploy Coesys Document Verification at each branch location. Each station is connected to a central document verification repository that will hold more than 2,000 travel and ID documents. The central system is connected to each agent station to provide document repository updates as well as to perform management and operational reports. New customer demographic data, which are captured automatically from the document, are entered directly into the bank’s enterprise management system. The project is now up and running, with over 1,000 Coesys Document Verification workstations enabled.
Electronic visas for Gabon
As of July 2015, travellers to the Central African nation of Gabon can now apply for visas online.
This latest innovation, named "e-Visa" forms part of the country's e-government projects, which are aimed at making public services more accessible.
California
In January 2015, undocumented immigrants had their first opportunity to obtain California driver's licenses thanks to the passage of Assembly Bill 60 (AB60) by the state legislature on September 12, 2013. The bill allows undocumented immigrants to drive in the State upon completing all required testing legally. The bill is a significant step in improving road safety in California by ensuring that all California drivers are driving vehicles legally.
Thales is supporting California Department of Motor Vehicle (California DMV) with its advanced Coesys Document Verification software solution now in use in its nearly 200 offices. DMV officials can verify the authenticity of such documents as passports, identity cards and driver licenses by simply checking the graphical data and security features against reference templates from an array of issuing countries.
Documents
Next Generation Biometrics Matching Engine using FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)
Next Generation Biometrics Matching Engine using FPGA [PDF - 3mb]
Infographic | Facial Recognition
Biometrics are showing up in airports and border crossing points across the world, promising to enhance security, as well as improve and expedite air travel.
Discover the MYTHS and FACTS surrounding facial recognition for travel. [PDF - 925kb]
Streamlined border control at Paris Aéroports
Streamlined border control at Paris Aéroports
Thales Gemalto Iris Recognition Solution Speeds Immigration in Colombia
The eyes have it
Gemalto Iris Recognition Solution Speeds Immigration in Colombia
Gemalto exceeds expectations at 2018 Biometric Technology Rally
The Live Face Identification System helps you improve security & efficiency where you need it most. The solution utilizing live facial recognition performed exceptionally well at the rally.
Read the Biometric Technology Rally
Biometrics to transform air travel and the "passenger experience"
Biometrics are radically transforming the passenger experience in airports around the world, making it not only quicker, but also much less stressful and more secure.
Download the white paper