Ùnivers card

Ùnivers card
Date first issued	1996
Issued by	Montecara
Type of document	National identity card
Eligibility requirements	Montecaran citizens and long-stay visa holders
Expiration	5 years from issue
Cost	Free

The Ùnivers card (Montecaran: càrda Ùnivers) is the national identity document in Montecara. It was introduced in 1996 to replace a range of different documents that residents found inconvenient to use separately. It functions as an identity document, national healthcare card, library card, and optionally as a public transit pass. Because it indicates citizenship, it can also be used as an international travel document where accepted.

History

Before the card was introduced, the Montecaran domestic identification document consisted of a folded paper booklet which was prone to wear and which did not fit conveniently inside most wallets. The national healthcare and public benefits cards were separate documents, as was the national library card, and transit passes were separate as well. The state decided to explore better alternatives to this inconvenient situation and in 1996 introduced the Ùnivers card to the public. It has since become the de-facto standard form of identification for Montecarans, even replacing the passport for routine international travel to Euclean Community countries. Private institutions such as workplaces and schools have found their own uses for the card, such as for internal security and student identification.

Technology

The card uses chip-and-PIN technology in situations where security is paramount, for example in healthcare settings where patient privacy is guaranteed by law. The card is also equipped with a machine-readable zone on the reverse to expedite border crossings.