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May 10, 2007
International Visitors Are No Longer Required to Use US-Visit Exit
Kiosks When They Depart the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that
it intends to integrate biometric exit procedures into the existing
international visitor departure process. The change will make the
process of departing the United States more convenient and accessible
for international visitors.
DHS will take a number of steps in the next year toward full
implementation of biometric exit procedures at airports. The first step
will be the completion of the three-year pilot program that required
international visitors to biometrically check out at select airports and
seaports. Effective May 6, 2007, international visitors will no longer
be required to use the US-VISIT exit kiosks when they leave the United
States. International visitors who received a U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, upon arrival must
still return the form to an airline or ship representative when
departing the United States.
DHS recently submitted an exit plan to Congress as part of the US-VISIT
2007 Expenditure Plan that incorporates lessons learned from the
biometric exit pilot program. While the program demonstrated that the
technology works, it also revealed low traveler compliance. DHS has
determined that US-VISIT air exit procedures should be incorporated into
the existing international visitor departure process to minimize the
effect on visitors and to ensure seamless biometric collection
regardless of the visitor’s departure point.
DHS, Congress and the 9/11 Commission have consistently recognized
biometric exit control as a priority in order to fully secure our
nation’s borders. Development of an automated exit capability is one of
the department’s congressional mandates. Since 2003, DHS has
systematically tackled technical and operational challenges and deployed
a biometrics-based entry process through US-VISIT.
DHS is now prepared to begin implementing exit procedures in the
commercial air environment, where the significant majority of those
subject to US-VISIT depart the United States. The department recently
began discussing the air exit strategy with the airline industry and
will be working with air carriers to implement it. DHS will publish a
regulation in the future outlining its plans for implementing an
integrated air exit strategy.
The following locations tested biometric exit procedures:
- Atlanta, Ga. (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
- Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore/Washington International Airport)
- Chicago, Ill. (Chicago O’Hare International Airport)
- Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth International
Airport)
- Denver, Colo. (Denver International Airport)
- Detroit, Mich. (Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport)
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport)
- Los Angeles, Calif. (San Pedro and Long Beach Seaports)
- Miami, Fla. (Miami International Cruise Line Terminal)
- Newark, N.J. (Newark Liberty International Airport)
- Philadelphia, Pa. (Philadelphia International Airport)
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (Luís Muñoz Marín International Airport)
- San Francisco, Calif. (San Francisco International Airport)
- Seattle, Wash. (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport)
The US-VISIT program provides biometrics-based identity management
services to entities throughout the U.S. government. Most international
visitors applying to enter the United States experience US-VISIT
procedures—digital fingerprint collection and a photograph. Department
of State consular officers and U.S. CBP officers use US-VISIT biometric
identity management services to establish and verify international
visitors’ identities in order to make visa-issuance and admission
decisions.
Cite: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Website
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