Q What is the Visa Waiver Programme?
A The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) is a scheme operated by the US Government, allowing citizens of certain countries to visit the United States without a visa.
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 United Kingdom
Citizens of the listed countries above can enter the United States visa free under the VWP, as long as they meet all of the following requirements:
- They are travelling on an unexpired national or EU passport. Passengers from the countries above in bold should have individual machine readable passports.
- They are travelling on business, for pleasure or are only transiting the US en route somewhere else.
- They are staying in the US for 90 days or fewer.
- They hold a return or onward ticket. If travelling on an e-ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried.
- They present a completed I-94W form (available at check in or onboard the aircraft) on arrival in the US.
Q What changes to the Visa Waiver Programme are applicable from 26 October 2004?
A If travelling to and from the USA on or after 26 October 2004 all passengers MUST be in possession of a valid Machine Readable Passport (MRP - see definition below). These can generally be identifed by two lines of computer code printed at the bottom of the biographical page (The page that contains the passport holders personal details).
Travellers not in possession of Machine Readable Passports will be required to apply for either B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa or apply for a new passport (this is regardless of whether your original is still valid.)
In addition, families will be required to obtain individual passports for each child should they wish to travel visa free, regardless of the fact that they may currently hold a family machine-readable passport.
This means every passenger travelling will now be required to hold their own personal passport. The reason is the coded information will only obtain one persons details.
It is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure that he/she has either a machine-readable passport, or a visa if travelling on or after 26 October 2004.
Q What is a Machine Readable Passport?
A A Machine Readable Passport has the holder's biographical details, e.g. name, date or birth, nationality and passport number, contained in two lines of text at the bottom of the photo page. This text, or 'Machine Readable Zone' (MRZ), can be read by a machine. Most British passports issued since 1988 have an MRZ, however some passports issued overseas may not. As from 26 October 2004, all passengers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme will be required to have a Machine Readable Passport.
If you are in doubt as to whether or not your passport is Machine Readable you should contact your Embassy in the United Kingdom, or if a British passport holder, visit the
Q What is a Biometric Passport?
A Biometric passports can include a facial recognition biometric, which can be taken from a passport photo and be used to make a mathematical comparison between the measurements between different points of the face. Iris images and finger prints can also be used as biometric information. All these are claimed to be very secure ways of identifying genuine passport holders.
The British Government is committed to introducing biometric passports as soon as possible, but this won't be in time to meet the US deadline of 25 October 2004. This means that all passengers holding non-biometric passports issued on or after 26 October 2004, will need to obtain a visa to enter the US.
Q How do I obtain a visa?
A Passengers needing a visa should contact the US Embassy in their home country. If you are planning to travel to the US and do require a visa, you must contact the Embassy to make an appointment. The process can take several weeks, so please allow plenty of time.
Q Where can I find more information?
A For more details and the most up to date information on passport and visa
requirements, please visit the following websites before you travel:
