What’s a Passport Biographic Page (Where Is It & What Data It Contains)

Author Writer: Sylwia Green
Reviewer: Biometric Photography Expert Mateusz ChodakowskiMateusz Chodakowski
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Last updated:  3 min read
A US passport half-open on the first page
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Contents

When discussing passports, visas, or international travel, you’ll often hear “passport biographic page.”

But what is it, and why is it important?

Read on to understand what a biographic data page of a passport is and see a sample.

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What’s a Passport Bio Page?

A passport bio page (also called a passport biographic page) is the first page of your passport. It has your personal information (excluding your address) and machine-readable biometric data. This enhances security and speeds up processing by immigration officers checking your identity and passport validity.

Here’s what data a bio page of a passport contains:

  • Your legal name
  • Unique 12-digit identifier
  • Your birth date
  • Your city and country of birth
  • Your citizenship
  • When the passport was issued
  • When the passport expires
  • The issuing government body
  • A recent photo of you
  • A text strip for machine scanning

Below is an example of a US passport bio page.

Passport Bio Page Sample

Passport bio page example with a photograph and all the personal information of a passport holder.

While passports differ by country, the bio page is usually a thick, plastic page with your photo. Each detail on this page is crucial for identity verification and international travel.

But—

That’s not all. 

Biographic Page Data for a Visa Application

When applying for a visa, such as a DV Lottery visa, you’ll need to provide the biographic page of your passport. 

Authorities use this information to verify your identity and assess your eligibility.

That’s why it’s important to ensure all details on your biographic page are accurate and current. Otherwise, you might face delays or rejections.

Now—

If you plan to apply for a visa soon, you must provide a compliant photo. Luckily, you can get one with PhotoAiD® on iOS or PhotoAiD® on Android. Simply take a self-portrait photo with your smartphone, and one of our experts will make sure it meets official visa requirements.

A graphic showing a visa photo taken with PhotoAiD, a passport photo service for taking compliant ID photos

How do you take a photo of your passport bio page?

If you don’t have a scanner at home, don’t worry. You can photograph the biographic page with your phone and print it.

Below are four tips for taking a photo of the bio page:

  • Set to high resolution: Low quality may lead to rejection.
  • Capture the entire page: Ensure the corners are visible.
  • Hold the phone directly above: Avoid angled shots to prevent distortion.
  • Use daylight: Avoid glare, shadows, and reflections.

Note that from 2024 onward, applicants don’t need to upload supporting documents for the Diversity Visa program online. Once selected, the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) will inform you about the required documents and submission process.

FAQ

Where is the biodata page of a passport?
The biographic page, or bio-data page, is usually the first page inside your passport. You can easily recognize it as it’s made of durable plastic and has your photograph.
What’s the biographical page of a passport?
The biographic page is the most important page in a passport. It contains your photograph and other personal information used to confirm your identity: your name, place and date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number, expiry date, and signature. It’s the first page of your document made of plastic.
How to upload the bio-data page of your passport:
– Use a high-resolution scanner or quality phone camera: Ensure every detail is clear and legible.
– Follow file requirements: Check for specific file formats (e.g., JPEG, PDF) required by the institution.
– Submit via official channels: Use the official portals or email addresses provided by the authorities or relevant institutions.
What’s a passport biometric page?
There’s no such thing as a biometric page of a passport. The page you’re referring to is a passport biodata page (also called a passport biographical page) which contains your biometric photograph and all your personal details.

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Sources:

  • https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html

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