The invention consists of a method of handling permits, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a user with a user permit linked to a user authentication token, the user permit defining permissions granted to the user and the user token containing identity authentication information for the user; (b) presenting the user token to a gatekeeper to confirm the user's identity; (c) validating the user permit based on the permit issuer's digital signature; and, (d) granting the user access based on said permissions within the user permit.