If you’ve ever looked closely at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, you’ve probably noticed two strange lines of letters, numbers, and “<<<” symbols. That’s called the ICAO line, also known as the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) — and it’s more important than it looks!
Let’s break down what it means and why it matters for your visa or border run.
1️⃣ What Does “ICAO” Mean?
ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency that sets global standards for passports, visas, and air travel.
Every passport in the world follows ICAO rules to make sure they can be scanned and read by immigration systems — no matter which country you’re entering.
2️⃣ Where to Find the ICAO Line
Flip to the photo page of your passport. At the very bottom, you’ll see two lines filled with a mix of letters, numbers, and the “<” symbol.
That’s your ICAO (MRZ) code.
It looks something like this:
P<USAMICHAEL<<ROBERT<MARK<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
B1234567<4VNM9001012F2601017<<<<<<<<<<<<<<00
3️⃣ What Information It Contains
The ICAO line includes key details about you and your passport, written in a special format computers can read:
Your nationality and full name
Your passport number
Your date of birth
Your gender
Passport expiration date
Country code
Don’t worry — it’s not a secret code. It’s just a standard, computer-readable way to help immigration systems work faster and avoid errors.
4️⃣ Why It’s Important for Visa Applications
When you apply for an eVisa or online travel authorization, the system usually asks you to enter details exactly as they appear in the ICAO line.
If you make even a small mistake — like mixing up a letter or leaving out a “<” — your visa could be invalid or denied at the border.
That’s why at Lynn Visa, our team always checks your ICAO line carefully to make sure your visa information matches your passport perfectly.
5️⃣ Quick Tips
✅ Always double-check your passport number, date of birth, and name when entering details for a visa.
✅ Use capital letters, and copy exactly what you see in the ICAO line.
✅ Ask our staff for help if you’re not sure which characters to use — we’re happy to assist!
In Short
The ICAO line is your passport’s digital signature — small but powerful. It ensures your identity is read correctly by every airport and border system worldwide.
At Lynn Visa, we make sure that little line doesn’t cause you big trouble on your travel day.
🛂 Need help checking your ICAO line before applying for a visa or border run?
Contact Lynn Visa today — we’ll make sure everything matches perfectly for a smooth trip!
