US delays need for biometric passports
An October deadline for UK travellers to the US to have biometric passports has been delayed for a year.
The move by the US Senate came after pressure from the travel industry on both sides of the Atlantic.
But travellers who do not have machine-readable passports must apply for one by 26 October or they will need to obtain a US visa.
Also, children will have to have their own machine-readable passport (MRP) by 26 October or they will be refused entry into the US.
The delay in the imposition of the entry new rules to the US means that UK passport holders will continue to be able to enter America using their existing passport and travel without a visa under the US Visa Waiver Programme.
The decision – which still needs approval by president George Bush – was welcomed by the Visit USA Association, which feared UK travellers would be put off travelling to the US if they did not have MRPs.
Association chairman Matt Bates said: “We are absolutely delighted with these changes to US entry legislation. There were obvious difficulties with the original introduction date. This extension to 26 October, 2005, will help to ensure the orderly introduction of biometric identifiers into UK passports.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports