E-passports and the Visa Waiver Program

Questions and Answers:

Q. Will all VWP travelers be required to enter the United States on an e-Passport after October 26, 2006?

A. No, only those whose passports were issued on or after October 26, 2006.

Q. Who may enter the United States under VWP without an e-Passport?

A. Any VWP traveler who carries a valid, machine-readable passport with/with a digital photograph issued before October 26, 2006 will not need an e-Passport until his/her existing passport expires. Further, a VWP traveler with a valid, machine-readable passport without a digital photograph will not need an e-Passport until his/her existing one expires if/if the machine-readable passport was issued before October 26, 2005.

Q. Will the inspection process at the port of entry change if/when a person enters on an e-Passport?

A. The inspection process for an e-Passport holder will be the same as that for a non-e-Passport holder. When arriving at U.S. ports of entry, e-Passport holders will be directed by signs or by personnel to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection location.

Q. Will all VWP countries be issuing e-Passports to their citizens by the October 26 deadline?

A. The vast majority of VWP countries report that they will be able to meet the deadline. In fact, many have been issuing e-Passports to their citizens for some time already. A few VWP governments also report, however, that issuance of e-Passports after October 26 will be optional and that their citizens may choose to apply for a passport type that their governments previously issued and continue to issue.

Q. What happens if a traveler wishes to travel to the United States under VWP but doesn’t have a passport that meets established guidelines?

A. In such cases, these citizens would need to apply for a B1/B2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Q. Can a child travel under VWP on his/her parent"s passport?

A. No. All VWP travelers, regardless of age, must carry individual passports.

Q. How can I find out more?

A. The Departments of State (www.travel.state.gov) and Homeland Security (www.cbp.gov) have links on their websites to passport requirements under the Visa Waiver Program.