Machine Readable Passports & The Visa Waiver Programme
Authors/Creators
Description
From 1 October 2003, all passengers intending to enter the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) will be required to present a machine-readable passport (MRP). Passengers travelling to the USA with a non-machine readable passport will require a valid US entry visa.
Applying for a US visa is a lengthy process, which can take several weeks or even months. Therefore it is strongly recommended that:
• All Visa Waiver nationals who hold a non-machine readable passport should obtain a MRP before their next visit to the
USA.
• Children travelling on a parent's passport (be it machine readable or non-machine readable) cannot benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme and should obtain their own MRP prior to travelling to the USA or request a visa.
What is a Machine Readable Passport (MRP)?
A MRP has the holders' personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine.
These 2 lines of text indicate the passport is machine-readable
The nationalities that are currently entitled to use the VWP are as follows:
| Andorra | Australia | Austria | Belgium* | Brunei |
| Denmark | Finland | France | Germany | Iceland |
| Ireland | Italy | Japan | Liechtenstein | Luxembourg |
| Monaco | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Portugal |
| San Marino | Singapore | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | United Kingdom |
* Since 15 May 2003, nationals of Belgium must hold a MRP in order to travel under the VWP. Holders of non-MRP Belgian passports must obtain a US visa prior to travelling to the USA.
Other VWP requirements are:
• travelling for business, pleasure or transit only, and
• staying in the USA for less than 90 days, and
• hold a return or onward ticket (or e-ticket receipt), and
• present a completed I-94W form to the authorities on arrival in the USA. (These forms can be obtained at check-in or on board the aircraft.)
Useful sources of further Visa Waiver Information
US Embassy in Switzerland: http://www.usembassy.ch/consular/visa/visawaiverprogram.htm
US State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html
For more information, please contact your CWT agency or the US Embassy in your country of origin.
Your Carlson Wagonlit Travel Team
Other (French)
From 1 October 2003, all passengers intending to enter the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) will be required to present a machine-readable passport (MRP). Passengers travelling to the USA with a non-machine readable passport will require a valid US entry visa.
Applying for a US visa is a lengthy process, which can take several weeks or even months. Therefore it is strongly recommended that:
• All Visa Waiver nationals who hold a non-machine readable passport should obtain a MRP before their next visit to the
USA.
• Children travelling on a parent's passport (be it machine readable or non-machine readable) cannot benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme and should obtain their own MRP prior to travelling to the USA or request a visa.
What is a Machine Readable Passport (MRP)?
A MRP has the holders' personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine.
These 2 lines of text indicate the passport is machine-readable
The nationalities that are currently entitled to use the VWP are as follows:
| Andorra | Australia | Austria | Belgium* | Brunei |
| Denmark | Finland | France | Germany | Iceland |
| Ireland | Italy | Japan | Liechtenstein | Luxembourg |
| Monaco | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Portugal |
| San Marino | Singapore | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | United Kingdom |
* Since 15 May 2003, nationals of Belgium must hold a MRP in order to travel under the VWP. Holders of non-MRP Belgian passports must obtain a US visa prior to travelling to the USA.
Other VWP requirements are:
• travelling for business, pleasure or transit only, and
• staying in the USA for less than 90 days, and
• hold a return or onward ticket (or e-ticket receipt), and
• present a completed I-94W form to the authorities on arrival in the USA. (These forms can be obtained at check-in or on board the aircraft.)
Useful sources of further Visa Waiver Information
US Embassy in Switzerland: http://www.usembassy.ch/consular/visa/visawaiverprogram.htm
US State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html
For more information, please contact your CWT agency or the US Embassy in your country of origin.
Your Carlson Wagonlit Travel Team
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Additional details
Identifiers
- CDS
- 638579
- CDS Report Number
- BUL-GI-2003-119
- Aleph number
- 000013503MMD