In an attempt to tighten the security level, Canadian Immigration is intending to come out with UK-Style e-passports, a measure which would ensure the rigidity of the immigration system as a whole.

Commencing from next year onwards, prospective applicants/Canadians intending to live as PR in the country would get passports engrossed with chips which would contain their data in the form of digital identities. Otherwise, the overall appearance is same like the older one.

The name, gender, age and other additional information, normally present on the passport would now be hidden into that small RFID chip, making it difficult for pseudo applicants to get involve in any fake cases. In addition to the mentioned information, the digital image of the main applicant would be encoded on the passport to add that extra security aspect to it.

The move has received mixed response till now. Some believe that not much would improve as far as the security facets are concerned, while others who back this decision believe that the step would minimize the risk of fraud and tampering cases.

Also, the validity of the new E-passports would extend to 10 years rather than the present 5 years. The applicant would be given the choice of opting out of the two! The cost of the e-passports is yet to be decided.

According to Passport Canada, the move would allow the country follow the international standards and hike its security measures in a major way.