The US Department of Homeland Security is reminding travelers from 27 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries that as of now, machine-readable passports are required to get into this country without a visa.
Until now, the requirement was not rigidly enforced by US authorities.
Machine-readable passports have a sequence of lines that can be swiped by US Customs and Border Protection officers to confirm the passport holder’s identify quickly.
Starting now, transportation carriers can be fined $3,000 for transporting any VWP traveler to the US without the passport.
The machine-readable passport requirements do not affect the separate US Congress-mandated deadline requiring VWP passports issued on or after 26, October, 2005, to contain biometrics to be used for visa-free travel to the US.
Report by David Wilkening
