Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE BIOMETRIC PASSPORT REQUIREMENT?

A biometric passport or "e-Passport" is a passport that includes an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic information, a digital passport and other biometric information. Countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will have to begin issuing this type of passports by October 26, 2006 in order for their citizens to travel without a visa to the United States.

As a preliminary step, starting on October 26, 2005, new passports issued by Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must include a digital photo. The digital photo should be printed onto the biographic data page and not glued or laminated into the passport. Owners of VWP passports issued after this date that do not have a digital photo will be required to obtain a visa for trips to the United States.

In the meantime, owners of VWP passports can still travel without a visa if the passport is machine-readable. Owners of non-machine readable VWP passports will be required to obtain a visa.