US adapts entry requirements
From the end of this month, all UK travellers visiting the US will have their fingerprints and photos taken on entry.
The US-VISIT programme, which launches on September 30, will see travellers from all 27 Visa Waiver Programme countries going through the new procedure. US authorities say they want to track visitors in and out of the US.
This will include the delegates travelling to Orlando to attend the ABTA Convention in November.
Anyone travelling on a visa to the US since the start of the year will already be familiar with the process that takes a non-ink fingerprint and digital photograph.
Delays at US gateway airports are not anticipated. According to the US Government, the procedures should only add 10-15 seconds onto the security screening process.
The 27 Visa Waiver Programme countries include most of Europe, Australia, Japan, Brunei and Andorra.
The rule for all Visa Waiver Programme countries to start issuing passports that contain an electronic scan of the fingerprint, iris, hand or face, has been extended. Many countries, including the UK, did not have the relevant technology in place to begin issuing these passports. Travellers will be required to have a biometric passports if it has been issued on or after October 26 2005.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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