A passport’s Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) represents the holder’s nationality with a three-letter code. ICAO’s machine-readable passport format also distinguishes primary from secondary identifiers.
What the MRZ format confirms
| Element | Confirmed function |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Represents the holder’s nationality with a three-letter code |
| Identifier structure | Distinguishes primary and secondary identifiers |
How to check a passport
When checking the MRZ, readers should use the applicable format definition to identify the element that represents nationality. Because the format distinguishes primary and secondary identifiers, another code-like sequence elsewhere in the MRZ should not automatically be treated as the nationality field.
What readers must still confirm
This limited explanation does not establish the exact field positions, the complete list of MRZ data elements, or the country represented by a particular three-letter code. Readers must verify those details against the applicable official ICAO format documentation and the passport-issuing authority.