Advice on UK Passport re US Visa Waiver Scheme

[slotnicki]

I have a query which I haven't managed to resolve through the US Gov website or the UK Passpost office. My dd's passport was issued in June 2006 before they started to put in the chips. It is machine-readable, but I am not sure if the photograph is digital (the 2 things you need on a passport issued during that year for the visa waiver scheme).

My dd's passport photograph is covered in transparent 'plastic' - when you hold it up against the light you can see a pattern of English roses and a daffodil.

I really want to make sure about this, as someonbe from work was not able to board a plane to the US, because of her passport not fulfilling the visa waiver scheme requirements! Has anyone with a similar looking passport entered the US without problems?

I've just looked at my son's UK passport which was issued in Jan 2005. We have travelled as well to the US on it without any difficulty. This is also machine readable and has the same holograms you describe. The photograph is digitised. Your dd's passport sounds fine; the main issue here is that it is machine readable (it has two lines of writing along the bottom of this page).

Not all passports have chips in them; this is fine.

The person not being able to board the plane may have had a different sort of passport; some UK passports issued abroad have different rules re visa requirements.

One thing you will need to do for your DD is to complete the (green) visa waiver form for her along with filling in this form for your own self. This will be given to you at check in. A portion of this form will be placed in each passport; this is your departure record.

It is VITALLY IMPORTANT that the check in staff remove this portion from each passport upon your departure from the US. The check in staff should ask for your passports at the check in desk.

If you're still unsure then contact the Passport Office.

Some more info for you from the UK Passport website:-

Your current passport will remain valid until its expiry date. You will not need to exchange your passport to a biometric passport, but should apply for a new passport in good time as and when your current passport expires. It is best to allow three weeks for a passport application.

Do I need to change my current passport for a biometric passport to travel to the US?

Most UK citizens will not need to exchange their current digital passport for a biometric book. Please note the following:

• Children must have their own individual passports to be eligible for entry to the US under the VWP
• Your British passport will qualify for the US Visa Waiver Programme (US VWP) if the personal information page (the page containing your photo, your name and your date of birth) is on an inside page of the passport rather than on the inside back cover.
• If your personal information page is on the inside back cover and was issued inside the UK, your passport will qualify for US VWP.

Hi Attila,
You sound just the right person to answer my passport quiery! My trios passport runs out next Feb, is it true that they have to have 6 months on them to travel, if that makes any sense?