A method for manufacturing a portable data carrier includes the steps of: providing a carrier band having an upper side and a lower side disposed opposite the upper side including a contact field formed with at least one contact area; arranging a semiconductor circuit on the lower side of the carrier band and electroconductively connected with the corresponding contact area; and carrying out an injection molding process on the lower side a potting compound formed around the semiconductor circuit and having outer dimensions according to a portable data carrier standard specification. An injection channel for injecting the potting compound is arranged on a side of the potting compound mold parallel to the lower side, and after the injection of the potting compound a depression remains in the finished data carrier due to the injection channel. A portable data carrier includes the features and is used as a subscriber identity module.