DHS Releases Guide to Passport Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Travelers
WASHINGTON, July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT Program has released a new document that clarifies the passport requirements for visitors traveling to the United States as part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The "Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirement Timeline" is the definitive guide to the current passport requirements for visa-free travel and also outlines upcoming rules that will affect the admissibility of VWP travelers in the near future.
In particular, the document addresses three relevant requirements for travelers wishing to participate in the VWP: the recently passed June 26, 2005 deadline by which VWP travelers to the United States must present a machine- readable passport; the October 26, 2005 deadline by which new passports issued by VWP countries must include a digital photo; and, the October 26, 2006 deadline by which new passports issued by VWP countries must be e-Passports equipped with integrated computer chips capable of storing biographic information from the data page, a digitized photo, and other biometric information.
There are 27 countries that participate in the VWP -- a program that allows travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. The document also lists certain conditions for which a traveler would require a visa to visit the United States and provides guidance on how to apply for the visa.
The Department of Homeland Security is distributing the document directly to key travel and tourism industry stakeholders and via its Web site so that travel media and consumers will have the information they need to visit the United States. The Visa Waiver Program Passport Requirement Timeline is available online at http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/VWP_PassportRequirementTimeline_07- 2005.pdf .
Related Articles
|
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by the Government News
Network on 16 June 2005
The US Department of Homeland Security announced, on 15 June, a one-year
extension of its Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) to 26 October 2006. From that
date all new passpo ... |
|
|
U.S. Passport Service Guide announces the addition of the fortieth listing to their online directory of private passport and visa expediting services (http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/directory).
“The number of passports processed by the U.S. Department of State P ... |
|
|
Significant changes to Australia’s popular Working Holiday Maker Visa came into effect 1 July 2006 making it easier for young Brits to travel Down Under for a year – or even two. The visa allows UK passport holders between the ages of 18 and 30 the unique opportunity to work ... |
|
|
Young British travellers are being given the chance to live and work in Australia for 2 years after changes to the country's Working Holiday Program come into effect 1 November 2005.
Australia's Working Holiday Program allows 18 to 30 year olds to have an extended holida ... |
|
|
T WIRE) -- 03/10/2006 -- Hyatt Gold Passport members can now earn and redeem free nights at Summerfield Suites. Acquired by Global Hyatt Corporation in January 2006, Summerfield Suites includes 21 upscale extended stay properties in the United States. Summerfield Suites' par ... |
|
|
(MARKET WIRE) -- 08/17/2005 -- Europe remains a top destination for U.S. travelers, and to assist visitors who are driving within the continent, Hertz is offering a free Driver's Guide. The Driver's Guide is a comprehensive resource that provides information about the car re ... |
|
|
ations’ reputation for innovation marches on! Book a 7-night vacation to a Sunburst Vacation destination and be rewarded with a FREE PASSPORT. Times have changed by December 31, 2005, anyone traveling to the Caribbean or Bermuda will be required to show a passport, as a ... |
|
|
