Biometric rules revealed

A nearing deadline for biometric passports of foreign visitors is a serious concern for British tourists to the US, but the Travel Industry Association of America says the issue is not as serious as it may seem. The TIA noted that some news reports claimed all British travelers entering the US would need a visa after 26 October. But the TIA said only a limited number would need visas. US law will require that all 27 Visa Waiver Programme countries, including the UK, certify they have systems in place to begin issuing machine-readable, biometric passports. “Virtually every UK traveler already has a machine-readable passport, but they are not biometric,” the TIA said. “However, as long as they have a valid, unexpired machine-readable passport issued before 26 October, 2004, they are exempt from the new law.” The new law will only effect UK travellers obtaining a passport for the first time or those whose passports expire on or around 26 October, according to the TIA. The TIA is among organisations lobbying the US Congress to extend the biometric passport deadline. Report by David Wilkening