An
Extension of Requirement for Biometric Passport Issuance by Visa Waiver
Program Countries went into effect this month.
The requirement for Visa Waiver travelers to have biometrics included
in their passports has been extended for one year, to October 26,
2005. All newly issued passports must be biometrically enabled by
this time. The extension was necessary to avoid potential disruption
of international travel and to allow for adequate time to develop
programs for producing a more secure, biometrically enabled passport
by those countries enrolled in Visa Waiver programs.
Because of security concerns related to this extension, the Department
of Homeland Security will begin enrolling Visa Waiver Program travelers
through the US-VISIT program (U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator
Technology) at all airports and seaports on September 30, 2004. Enrollment
in US-VISIT allows the United States to continue its international
efforts to enhance border security, while facilitating legitimate
travel. The US-VISIT system requires two digital index finger scans,
and a digital photograph of the traveler to verify his or her identity.
The second requirement for Visa Waiver Program travelers will come
into effect on October 26, 2004. From that date on, all passports
used for travel in the Visa Waiver Program must be machine-readable.
Last year, the Secretary of State granted a postponement until October
26, 2004, making this the new date by which Visa Waiver Program travelers
from 21 countries must present a machine-readable passport to be admitted
to the United States without a visa.
Glossary of Terms:
Biometric Passport - contains a computer chip containing
the holder's photograph and personal information on the current passport,
including name and date of birth, and a set of measurable personal
features such as an iris image scan or fingerprints as identification
markers.
Machine Readable Passport - contains two lines of
printed OCR-B machine-readable data. The size of the passport, the
arrangement of data fields and the photograph meet the standard of
the International Civil Aviation Organization.
US-VISIT Program - requires that most foreign visitors
traveling to the U.S. on a visa have their two index fingers scanned,
and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at the port
of entry. Visas are required for most students,
some business travelers and millions of other visitors, regardless
of where they live. A departure confirmation program using automated
kiosks is being tested at Baltimore-Washington International Airport
and at select Miami Seaport cruise line terminals. Travelers leaving
from either of these ports are required to confirm their departure
at the kiosk by checking out, which involves scanning their passport
or visa, and repeating the scanning of two index fingers. Currently
the officials are evaluating the automated kiosk tests and considering
alternatives for departure confirmation throughout 2004.
US Immigration guide:
visa, green card lottery,
and immigration attorney
directory. Immigration information regarding temporary and permanent
visa types, and paths to legalized immigrant status in the U.S.
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