From 1 October 2003, all passengers intending to enter the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme(VWP) will be required to present a machine-readable passport(MRP). Passengers travelling to the USA with a non-machine-readable passport will require a valid US entry visa, even if they are citizens of a country within the Visa Waiver Programme.
Children travelling on their parents' passport (be it machine readable or non-machine readable) cannot benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme.
Update - 26 September 2003 - Please Note:
The USA authorities confirmed that nationals of the following USA Visa Waiver countries have been granted an extension to the Machine Readable Passport requirements until 26 October 2004.
Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
This means that nationals of the above countries may continue to travel to the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme, using a non-machine readable document until 26 October 2004. After this date all visa waiver nationals will be required to present a valid Machine Readable Passport , or obtain a USA visa prior to travelling to the USA.
The governments of Andorra, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Slovenia did not request an extension to the Machine Readable Passport deadline because virtually all their nationals already have a machine readable passports. If a national of one of these 5 countries still holds a non-machine readable passport, from 1 October 2003, they will have to obtain a US visa prior to travel or obtain a machine readable passport.
Since 15 May 2003, nationals of Belgium have been required to hold a Machine Readable Passport in order to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme. Holders of non-Machine Readable Belgian passports must obtain a US visa prior to travelling to the USA.
Applying for a US visa is a lengthy process, which can take several weeks. Therefore it is strongly recommended that:
-All Visa Waiver nationals who hold a non-machine readable passport should obtain a machine-readable passport before their next visit to the USA.
-*****Children travelling on their parent's passport should obtain their own machine-readable passport (MRP) prior to travelling to the USA.****
What is a machine readable passport (MRP)?
A machine readable passport (MRP) has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine.
Is a machine readable passport the 'new style' passport versus the 'old style passport'?
No. Although most of the 'new style' British passports issued in the UK since 1988 will be machine readable, those issued outside the UK may not be.
What if a customer, for whatever reason, cannot or chooses not to apply for a machine readable passport - what should they do?
The customer will need to obtain a US entry visa. Same day visa applications are not possible.
The process will vary from country to country.
In the UK:
Visa applicants are required to obtain visa application form DS-156 either by downloading from the US Embassy web site, calling 09055 444546 (GBP1.30 a min) or sending a stamped, self-addressed A-4 sized envelope with 27p postage to: United States Visa Forms, P.O. Box 499 Leeds, LS3 1XU.
Complete supplemental visa application form DS-157 (see above ).
One set of forms is required for each adult, child & infant requiring a visa.
An appointment is required for any visa applicant aged between 16-59. Appointments can be made by calling 09055 444546 (GBP1.30 a min). This number can be accessed within the UK only, and there is currently a 6-8 week lead time for appointments. Customers resident outside the UK need to call their local US Embassy.
Applicants must expect to be at the Embassy for 4 hours.
After the interview the passport & visa will be posted back to the applicant in 5 working days.
The cost is GBP67.00 per visa.
