Published: October 19, 2005
Visa Waiver Program Visitors need Digital Photo After October 26
Homeland Security reminds Visa Waiver Program travelers of digital photo requirement
Visitors arriving in the United States from 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) face some new requirements starting October 26.
Passports issued on or after that date must bear a digital photo of the holder. Otherwise, the traveler will need a visa to travel to the United States. Visitors with valid machine-readable passports issued prior to October 26 may continue to travel without a visa under the program.
The VWP enables citizens of 27 countries to visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a press release October 18 reminding travelers of the VWP requirements, which are part of an ongoing initiative to increase U.S. security and security for the international traveling public.
The U.S. government will fine airlines that carry passengers without documents that meet the new requirements, the release says. Those travelers also will be refused entry to the United States.
According to the department, the majority of VWP countries already issue passports with a digital photo. Homeland Security anticipates that three countries -- Italy, Austria and France -- will not have enough digital photo production capabilities in operation to fully meet the requirement by October 26, but said it will continue to work closely with these countries to certify their full compliance as soon as possible.
Further details and examples of the proper documents are available on the Homeland Security Web site. Information on the Visa Waiver Program and how to apply for a U.S. visa is available at www.travel.state.gov and www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.
The 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Source: U.S. Department of State
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