+Law Offices of
Christopher M. Brainard
|
+Law Offices of
|
|
|
NEW PASSPORT AND VISA REGULATIONS Beginning October 1, 2003, all citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who wish to enter the U.S. visa-free must present a machine-readable passport (MRP). Nationals of Visa Waiver countries who do not have machine-readable passports must obtain a U.S. non-immigrant visa. This change affects only visa waiver travel. Applicants for visas at U.S. consular sections are not required to obtain MRPs, regardless of the category of visa being sought. Non-machine-readable passports will remain valid for Transit Without Visa (TWOV) purposes. TWOV and VWP are separate, distinct statuses. TWOV travelers are not admitted into the U.S. for B-visa purposes, as under the VWP, and therefore will not require an MRP. This change includes all categories of passports--tourist, diplomatic, and official. Bearers of diplomatic and official passports that are not machine-readable will need visas beginning October 1, 2003. Families and groups should obtain an individual passport for each traveler, including infants. MRPs typically have biodata for only one traveler in the machine-readable zone (MRZ), and families may be denied visa-free entry into the U.S. if the biodata for only one traveler is machine-readable. 27 countries participate in VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This immigration information is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to be relied on as legal advice. This information may not have been updated to reflect subsequent changes in the law, if any. Your particular facts and circumstances, and any changes in the law, must be considered to determine appropriate legal advice. Always consult with a competent immigration lawyer to discuss your particular situation.
|
|
Our Staff Contact Us Our Services News Legal Disclaimer Send mail to
florence@christopherbrainard.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2003 Law Office of
Christopher Brainard. All rights reserved.
|
