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.
Ginny McGrath
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