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October 26, 2004 deadline for machine-readable passport for VWP countries
August 20, 2004
Effective October 26, 2004, Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa.
Visa waiver travelers from all 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa. This new requirement comes into effect on October 26, 2004. Travelers with a valid U.S. visa will not be required to have machine-readable passports.
In addition, as of September 30, 2004, all VWP travelers arriving at a U.S. port of entry, will be required to enroll in US-VISIT, a program involving a digital photograph and fingerscans. In a related item, President Bush signed into law a one-year extension for the date countries are required to produce biometric passports in order to remain eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, delaying the requirement until October 2005.
Larger image of a machine-readable passport
For complete information on U.S. visa requirements, including studying, doing business or just visiting, click here: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
To read the complete State Department announcement/statement on Biometric Passports, click here: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/35066.htm
For a complete list of Visa Waiver Countries, click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html#2
To visit the U.S. Consular homepage, click here: http://travel.state.gov/
For instructions on how to apply for a visa in Australia, click here: http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular/visas.html
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