What does MRTD stand for?

MRTD stands for "Machine Readable Travel Documents." This term refers to documents that can be read by machines, such as passports and visas, which typically use optical character recognition or similar technology to facilitate automated processing. The purpose of MRTDs is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of border control and travel document verification by enabling automated systems to read and process the information contained within these documents quickly.

MRTDs enhance security and reduce human error, as they can include biometric data and are designed to adhere to international standards set by organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The implementation of MRTDs has become an essential aspect of global travel, ensuring that identification processes are streamlined and standardized across various countries.