Apple VAS Passes are often more that sufficent with needs of institutions, but Most would like to Switch from Visual Codes (Barcode or QR-Codes) to NFC. The Limit of 64 Chars, Payload is very limiting. Compared to Google Wallet (Google Smart Tap) where multiple kilobyte of payload is possible, (or at least 256 Byte), it would be nice if Apple would increase the Payload size for VAS. Yes Most Reader only can read up to 240 Bytes in one go, but there are possible ways to continious read (pagination) the Payload. As VAS payload is Not stored within the Secure Element, it would be good to increase it. Apple Access Most often does not provide real benefits. The price and requirements are to high for the additional Elements, and also limited to the benefits for Most use-cases. For universities and non-Profits VAS is The best option and should not be threated as a second Child or second class Element.

We implement with eduTAP (https://eduTAP.eu) a Framework for Universities to easily adopt wallet Passes in Europe (or globally). The new Pass Designer Sounds Great and the pkpasstemplate Idee very promissing and helpful. Will there also be more Details for additional passtypes Like Access Passes or Identity Passes on how to Design them, without relying on vendors? In the Log run only identity wallet will fullfil the European legal requirements for Student IDs, not the access Passes currently promoted by Apple. They will Stay for closed Loop payments and physical Access Control but not as a Student Identity card. Which is Most often used off-campus.

As European Universities do need selective Selective Disclosure Verifiable Credentials (mDoc ISO 18013-5, SD-JWT, or W3C VD Date Model) for their student IDs and most usage of student and Heigher Education Institutions IDs are off campus, neither Apple VAS nor Apple Access Passes are sufficent. When will the Identity Wallet (Like TSA Approved Passes in the US) will be avaliable for broader usage?