New Documentation Requirements for Entry into the United States.
Please be advised that there has been a change in the documentation requirements for passengers entering and transiting the United States - this became effective from 1st October 2003.

From this date, all passengers traveling to and from the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to hold a 'machine readable' passport (MRP). The definition of a "Machine Readable Passport" is given by the UK Passport Office as follows: All passports now issued by the UK Passport Service are machine readable and can be read by any country that has equipment to do so.

Essentially, UK passengers who hold a red passport should be fine under this definition, however, if the passport is torn, well used or dog eared it might not be machine readable and you should seek steps to obtain a replacement or obtain a visa as a precaution as any person who is a citizen of a VWP eligible country e.g.: the UK. and whose passport is not machine readable will need to obtain a U.S. non immigrant visa prior to travel. This applies to all persons including infants and children.

Children who have been added to a parent's passport will also be required to have a MRP issued in their own name or have a U.S. visa issued to them affixed into the passport in which their name appears.

If you are unsure of what documentation you require for entry into the U.S. and for the current situation please contact:-

The U.S. Consulate Operated Assisted Visa Information Service on: 09055-44-446

They are open Monday through Friday between 8am to 8pm and are closed on British Public Holidays and calls are charged at £1.30 per minute. Alternatively, written information is available from: - The U.S. Embassy Web Site

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Revised: 18 July, 2009