Man crosses US border using an iPad as ID

A Canadian man has claimed that he managed to get across the border to the US using only a scanned copy of his passport stored on his iPad.

Martin Reisch, from Montreal, forgot his passport when he came to the US border, but instead showed the officials a digital facsimile on his Apple tablet computer.

He said that he was travelling to Vermont to deliver Christmas presents to his friend's children.

Speaking to The AP, Reisch said: "I thought I'd at least give it a try.

"He took the iPad into the little border hut. He was in there a good five, six minutes. It seemed like an eternity.

"When he came back, he took a good long pause before wishing me a Merry Christmas."

Reisch said that he knew the official had made an exception in his case, and it was unlikely to happen again.

The 33-year-old feels that the truth of his story, along with the driver's licence he presented, helped him get across the border, and later successfully re-enter Canada.

He said that he would not forget his passport again, but he hopes that in the future anyone will be able to cross a border using a digital device, noting that airlines already accept digital boarding passes stored on smartphones.

"I see the future as 100% being able to cross with your identity on a digital device - it's just a matter of time," said Reisch.

Just like the European Union, Canadian citizens require a passport to cross the land border to the US. But officials will also accept an enhanced driver's licence or a Nexus pass

Neither the US nor Canadian border offices have yet commented on the case.

Meanwhile, Apple is rumoured to be preparing to launch the third iteration of the iPad next year, while some reports have suggested that the firm will also introduce a 'mini' iPad boasting a 7.85-inch screen.

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