Passport requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program

Visa free travelers, including children, entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) require individual machine-readable passports (MRP). This requirement has been in place since October 26, 2004.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006 it must contain a digital photograph.

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006, it must be also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. Follow this link for an example of such a passport: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0021.shtm .

Temporary and emergency passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable. This rule applies to all VWP countries except for Germany. Temporary or emergency German passports are not valid for VWP travel, and must contain a visa for admission to the United States.
Diplomatic and official passports are exempted from digital photo and electronic chip requirements, but must be machine-readable.

It is important that you check the website of the U.S. Embassy in the country of passport nationality for any further changes before traveling. Failure to determine that your passport qualifies for the VWP may result in you being denied boarding by the airline.
Follow this link for websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions.

How do I know if I have a machine-readable passport?

Machine-readable passports allow data in the passport to be scanned automatically by a machine. There are two lines of letters, numbers and ’>>>>’s printed at the bottom of the personal information page, that is, the page with photograph and personal details. (circled in red in the image of a U.S. machine-readable passport shown below) If you are in any doubt as to whether or not your passport is machine-readable, you should check with the passport issuing authority of your country.
Follow this link for an example of a machine readable passport: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0021.shtm#3 .

How do I know if my passport contains a digital photograph

The majority of VWP countries already issue passports with a digital photo integrated into the data page. Visitors can tell whether their passport meets these requirements if it contains a digital photograph that is printed on the page, not glued or laminated into the document. Follow this link for an example of a passport with a digital photograph.

What do I do if I do not have a machine-readable passport or a passport which contains a digital photograph?

If you do not have a machine-readable passport you will either be required to apply for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa, or if you wish to continue traveling visa free under the VWP, obtain a new passport which is machine readable.

If you are a national of a country that does not issue passports with digital photographs and your passport is issued on or after October 26, 2005 you will be required to apply for either a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa. If your passport is issued before this date, the digital photograph requirement will NOT apply to you.

Do I require a biometric passport to travel to the United States?

Passports issued on or after October 26, 2005, must include a biometric identifier based on applicable standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Department of Homeland Security has announced that from October 26, 2005, a digital photograph of the passport holder's face printed on the data page of the passport will be the acceptable standard. Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006, must also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information.

What is an E-passport or Smart passport?

It is a biometric passport which is capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 must meet this standard.

back to top ^