Priority Verification Cards are technically not boarding passes, and are given when a passenger does not have a seat on their flight but still needs to get through the security checkpoint. This can happen either because the flight was overbooked, or one is attempting to same-day standby.

A priority verification card (often associated with low-cost carriers like Ryanair) is a digital or printed document that proves a passenger has successfully completed a mandatory identity verification process. This usually occurs when a flight is booked through a "third-party" online travel agent (OTA) that the airline does not have a direct partnership with. Because these OTAs often provide the airline with "fake" email addresses or payment details, the airline requires the passenger to verify their identity via facial recognition or by submitting a photo of their passport/ID before travel. Once the process is complete and the airline is satisfied that the passenger has seen all safety and policy information, they are issued a "Verified" status or card. Without this verification, the passenger may be blocked from checking in online and could be forced to pay a significant "airport check-in fee" (often around £/€55) at the terminal. It is essentially a security and compliance measure to ensure the airline has a direct link to the traveler.