United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
US stands firm on passport issue
UK travellers whose passports are up for renewal may need a visa if they want to travel to the US from this winter.
Negotiations continue with US authorities over entry regulations, but as it stands, the US Government will push ahead with the requirement for all UK passports issued after October 26 2005 to contain biometric data.
The biometric requirement, which was originally scheduled to come into force in October 2004 was delayed because the UK Passport Service did not have the necessary technology.
Although the UK Passport Service will start testing the biometric technology from September it is not expected to be ready until June 2006. This means that Britons with passports that need renewal between October 26 2005 and June 2006, and want to travel to the US, will not be able to do so under the Visa Waiver Programme, so must obtain a US visa.
Visit USA Association is warning British travellers to prepare early for trips to the US as it can take weeks to get a new passport and days to get a visa.
Related News Stories:
Ginny McGrath
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled