Document photo glossary
Short definitions of the technical and administrative terms that appear across passport, visa and ID photo requirements. Each entry answers one question in one paragraph, then adds the background context.
All terms
ICAO 9303
ICAO 9303 is the international standard for machine-readable travel documents published by the International Civil Aviation Organization. It…
biometric photo
A biometric photo is a portrait that meets a defined geometric standard — head height, eye position, expression, lighting and background — s…
VIS database
VIS (Visa Information System) is the EU database that stores Schengen visa applicant data, including the biometric photo and fingerprints, f…
VFS Global
VFS Global is the largest outsourced operator of Visa Application Centres (VACs). Consulates contract VFS Global to run the appointment book…
Schengen visa C
A Schengen visa C is the standard short-stay visa for travel inside the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It is valid f…
MRZ (Machine Readable Zone)
The Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) is the two- or three-line strip of OCR-readable characters at the bottom of every modern passport and many n…
e-Passport
An e-Passport (also called a biometric passport) is a passport with an embedded RFID chip storing a digital copy of the holder's photo and p…
Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is the credit-card-sized residence permit issued to most non-British UK visa holders. It shows the holder…
ETIAS
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel authorisation that visa-free nationals must obtain before visit…
ESTA
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is the US online pre-screening required for travellers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) coun…
TLScontact
TLScontact is a European outsourced operator of Visa Application Centres (VACs). Consulates contract TLScontact to run the appointment booki…
visa on arrival
A visa on arrival (VOA) is a tourist or short-stay visa issued at the destination country's airport, land border or port of entry, rather th…