Mexico Unites Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay Set to Change the Game with Revolutionary New Travel Technologies Coming to Latin American Airports in 2026

Published on December 11, 2025

From 2026 onward, travellers passing through major Latin American airports will experience a technological leap. Several countries in the region are implementing biometric systems and digital processes that modernize immigration control and boarding. The trend not only aims to ease congestion and reduce waiting times, but also seeks to strengthen security and comply with international rules such as the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Traveller Identification Programme and the International Air Transport Association’s One ID initiative. Below are the most prominent initiatives, backed by government sources.

Mexico: autonomous immigration filters (FMA)

The National Institute of Migration (INM) and other Mexican agencies have developed Autonomous Immigration Filters (Filtros Migratorios Autónomos, FMA), a self‑service immigration control modality that already operates in several terminals and will continue expanding in 2026. An INM bulletin explains that the FMA allows travellers to complete their entry or exit process themselves through a module that reads electronic passports and registers facial biometrics. To use it, the passenger must scan their electronic passport and take a photograph; the system validates the biometric information against official databases and produces a ticket with a QR code and digital seal[1]. The authorities stress that the procedure is completed in a few minutes, reduces waiting times and is free of charge[2].

These filters, which already operate at Mexico City International Airport and the terminals of Cancún, San José del Cabo, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Querétaro and Tijuana[3], are based on the federal anti‑corruption policy and the protection of personal data[2]. To use them, one must be over 18 years of age, hold an electronic passport with at least 180 days’ validity and travel as a tourist without accompanying minors[4]. Before the trip, the passenger downloads and completes a digital migration form and receives by email a QR code to present at the module[1]. Given the programme’s success, the INM has announced that it will continue expanding the network of FMAs and interoperability with e‑visas; consequently, from 2026 more Mexican airports will feature this system.

Brazil: Embarque + Seguro and the Aeroportos + Seguros project

Brazil is also betting on biometrics to streamline and secure boarding procedures. In October 2025, the government technology company Serpro presented the Embarque + Seguro system during the event “Technology and Security: the future of airports in Brazil.” According to Serpro’s official note, the solution validates the passenger’s identity through a selfie compared with the government’s official biometric databases[5]. By eliminating the need to present printed documents, the boarding process becomes faster, safer and contact‑free[5]. The project follows international standards from ICAO and IATA and is seen as a pillar for enabling other digital services during the journey[6].

Serpro’s superintendent of business, Brenno Sampaio, noted that biometrics are not limited to boarding but can create new experiences throughout the airport ecosystem[6]. Another official, Henrique Mattiello, said the company supports the adoption of technologies that provide greater speed in service and reliability in boarding processes[7]. The initiative forms part of the Aeroportos + Seguros Project, which promotes the installation of full‑body scanners and dual‑view inspection software that increase precision and reduce waiting times[8]. Tests began in 2022 on the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro air bridge, making it the world’s first “biometric air bridge”; by 2026 the programme is expected to extend to more airports, integrating e‑gates and intelligent security controls at terminals such as Congonhas, Santos Dumont and new concessions managed by AENA Brasil.

Peru: kiosks and e‑gates at the new Jorge Chávez International Airport

Peru is also preparing a technological revolution. In December 2024 the National Superintendency of Migration presented the automated migration control system to be installed in the new Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. The official press release states that 21 digital enrolment kiosks and 19 e‑gates will be installed to control both international arrivals and departures[9]. The kiosks will allow travellers to register easily in order to use the e‑gates, helping to mitigate crowding caused by the concentration of flights and space limitations[10]. The system will incorporate biometric identification technologies, including facial recognition, which will compare the passenger’s information with the chip in their passport or their National Identity Document[11].

Superintendent Armando García explained that the equipment will accelerate migration control and that the system will be integrated with key entities to ensure security and internal order[12]. It will be available to adult passengers, whether nationals or resident foreigners, who have an electronic passport and register their data via the kiosks or through the web and mobile devices[13]. Installation of this infrastructure is part of the airport’s modernization plan, and the new terminal will open in 2025; thus, it is expected that by 2026 Peruvian migration control will be fully digitalized, reducing waiting times and improving the user experience.

Uruguay: pioneer in biometric entry and boarding control

Uruguay was one of the first countries in the region to incorporate biometric technologies in its airports. In 2014, the Ministry of the Interior unveiled a system at Carrasco International Airport that captures the passenger’s fingerprint and travel document to automate the entry and exit of travellers[14]. The system compares the fingerprint with databases, verifies that the document corresponds to the traveller and, according to the authorities, modernizes and shortens procedures[15]. The improvements sought to increase security and ease the flow of passengers, and a tender to install similar equipment in the ports of Montevideo and Colonia was anticipated[16].

Four years later, in 2018, the Uruguayan government announced that Carrasco Airport extended the facial biometrics system to the entire boarding process, making it the first airport in Latin America to have this technology throughout the departure experience[17]. Minister Jorge Menéndez highlighted that the new technology would provide greater agility and security and was part of a technological development plan led by the ministries of Defence and the Interior[18]. Although the initial implementation occurred in 2018, authorities have reiterated that they will continue modernizing the system; by 2026 updates to facial recognition algorithms and integration with mobile pre‑registration applications are expected.

Regional trends and perspectives from 2026 onward

The initiatives described show that Latin American airports are embracing technologies for biometric identification, self‑service and digitalization to improve efficiency and security. Mexico will continue expanding its autonomous immigration filters, allowing more passengers to complete their immigration process without officer intervention while generating immediate digital records. Brazil, with the Embarque + Seguro programme and the Aeroportos + Seguros project, seeks boarding processes based on facial recognition and intelligent inspection systems, reducing physical contact and meeting international standards. Peru is installing kiosks and electronic gates at the new Jorge Chávez Airport to manage high passenger flows with integrated biometric identification. Uruguay, a regional pioneer, is modernizing its systems by incorporating more advanced algorithms and online pre‑registration.

From 2026 onward, travellers across the region will encounter airports where presenting physical documents will become increasingly unnecessary. Identity verification through facial or fingerprint biometrics will occur before reaching the desk and, in many cases, a selfie or simply passing an electronic passport through a reader will suffice. These technologies, implemented under government supervision and in collaboration with concessionaires and international organizations, promise to streamline travel while strengthening security without sacrificing privacy. Gradual adoption and interoperability between systems will be key for Latin America to consolidate a modern and competitive airport ecosystem in the years following 2026.

References

1. Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) de México – explanation of the Autonomous Immigration Filters and requirements[3][4].
2. INM – operation of the FMA, scanning process, photograph and ticket issuance[1].
3. INM – benefits of the FMA and anti‑corruption policy[2].
4. Serpro (Government of Brazil) – note on Embarque + Seguro and biometric validation[5].
5. Serpro – analysis of biometrics as a pillar of new services and participation in the Aeroportos + Seguros Project[6][8].
6. National Superintendency of Migration of Peru – release about enrolment kiosks and e‑gates at the new Jorge Chávez Airport[9][11].
7. Migrations Peru – requirements and benefits of the automated system and use of electronic documents[19].
8. Presidency of Uruguay – presentation of biometric technology in 2014 and details about fingerprint and document capture[14][15].
9. Presidency of Uruguay – 2018 announcement about the incorporation of facial recognition throughout boarding and the benefits of agility and security[20].