How the register is researched

Every entry is built from sources that were opened and read. Each fact carries a numbered link to its source. Last updated 19 October 2026.

What is included

Government contracts, tenders, concessions and formal proposals for immigration and border control systems, passenger data (API and PNR) systems, biometric identity and travel document systems, e-visa and travel authorisation platforms, watch-list systems, and airport security screening, in any country and with any vendor or government agency.

Sources, in order of preference

The contract, tender notice or award itself, and government gazettes and procurement portals.
Parliament records, supreme audit institution reports, court and arbitration records, and regulator decisions.
Development bank project documents.
Official government statements.
Company statements, labelled as such.
Reputable press, labelled "reported by" when no official source confirms the fact.

Blogs, forums, social media posts and AI chatbot answers are not used as sources.

Fair treatment

Every vendor and every country is recorded on the same fields. Adverse official findings, such as audit criticism, suspensions or court losses, are recorded. So are favourable ones, such as arbitration awards, completed handovers and audit clearances. Statements by critics and by companies appear only as attributed quotes or summaries. The register does not rank vendors or say whether a deal was good or bad.

Gaps and conflicts

When a field cannot be confirmed, the entry says "Not published" or "Not confirmed". When sources disagree, for example on a date, an amount or a revenue split, both are shown with their sources and dates. Nothing is filled in by estimate.

Status labels

Proposed: Submitted or under evaluation, not awarded.
Tender: Out to bid.
Awarded: Signed, not yet running.
In operation: Running, per the latest source.
Under review: Being reviewed by a government, auditor or parliament.
Suspended: Paused by the government or a court.
Disputed: Subject to court or arbitration proceedings between the parties.
Terminated: Ended early.
Completed: Ended as planned or handed over.

Corrections

Anyone, including governments and vendors named in the register, can send a correction with a document or link to editor@bordercontracts.org. Each correction is checked against the source, and changes are logged on the corrections page.