September 25, 2003

Machine Readable Passport Requirement Delayed

On July 1, 2003, we previously reported that the Department of State (DOS) released a cable reminding consular posts that beginning October 1, 2003, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers must present a machine-readable passport in order to enter the U.S. visa-free. Citizens from visa waiver countries are eligible to enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days. The Secretary of State has now granted a postponement of the machine readable passport requirement for certain visa waiver travelers until October 26, 2004.

Currently, there are 27 visa waiver countries. Postponement of the machine readable passport requirement was granted to the following visa waiver countries: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Postponement was not granted to Andorra, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Slovenia. Effective October 1, 2003, these five countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a U.S. visa. In addition to these countries, Belgium was not granted an extension of the machine-readable passport requirement because Belgian nationals have been required to present machine-readable passports since May 15, 2003.

GT will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.