Photos & Fingerprints from 30th Sept!

[juliebro]

I read in the Travel section in yesterday's Daily Telegraph that all visitors to the US from 30th September will have their photos taken and fingerprints scanned on arrival.

They said this will mean some delays until the system is all sorted out and running smoothly.

Those who are flying indirect and only have a short time between flights need to be aware.

Anyone else heard about this?

Julie

 

[Miffy2003]

Well, I thought it was coming Julie, thanks for posting. Just in time for our trip in December too!

Hopefully they will have worked out any problems by then (I'm thinking loooooong queues!)

Karen

 

[angel659]

Hi

I arrived at Sanford in May and they already had signs mentioning that you will have photo's taken and finger prints. We never got asked when we arrived. Perhaps back in May it was only for certain travellers. Not sure really.

It was still so slow getting through, we waited for at least an hour before we got through immigration.

Oh make sure all forms are correctly filled out all info, as they will make you back to the que.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Michelle

 

[Jane and Ian]

To be perfectly honest I thought this had already been started. Thankfully we are off to NY for a week in October, so assume that it will happen then and we won't get held up in Orlando next year. Does anyone know if it has to be done just the once or on every trip?
Jane

 

[juliebro]

I assume it is every trip - but I don't know for sure.

I'll try and find out.

Julie

 

[juliebro]

Here's a link to the official US site that has all the details

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml

There is a downloadable PDF (ADobe Acrobat) file that shows the whole process in diagramatic format.

They claim it will only adds a few seconds to the whole process.

Also - here's an alternative interpretation of the diagrams!

http://www.thomasscott.net/us-visit/

I can't spot anything which says whether you have to do it on every visit.

Julie

 

[Jane and Ian]

Thanks for that - not quite sure if it's on everyt trip, but will eventually find out, maybe I could ask in October and then post when I get home!

 

[Sue F UK]

Just got back on Friday.

We connected in Washington on our way over (BMI flights - highly recommended) and noticed at immigration that there were signs everywhere telling you about fingerprinting and photos. There is a little machine at the immigration desk which you insert both your index fingers into, one after the other, and beside that is a camera which takes your photo at the same time. Should take no more than a couple of seconds extra. After practising in the queue we approached the desk with our digits ready but were not asked!! Quite disappointing really.

By the looks of it I don't think it will cause too much extra waiting time at immigration. (Hopefully!)

 

[juliebro]

Thanks Sue.

We are using BMI on our next trip (March 2005). Glad that you recommend them, as we usually fly US Airways.

Julie

 

[expatscot]

At the present time, all those with Visas in their passports will have this done, the rest of us with Visa Waivers will not. On the way out of the US you have to do this again as a 'check out'. After October, not sure if it will remain the same or be everyone.

 

[Sue F UK]

Hi Julie,

We have also flown a few times with US Airways and found BMI to be at least as good as them. The only difference is that BMI do not have the personal DVD player entertainment system - but with 12 channels it was easy to find plenty to watch.

Have a good one!