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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. |
