IMPORTANT WAIVER INFORMATION
As of October 26, 2004, all citizens of countries participating in
the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who wish to enter the U.S. visa-free must
present a machine-readable passport (MRP).
VWP nationals who do not have MRPs must obtain a U.S. non-immigrant
visa.
One-time exceptions are no longer granted!
This change affects only visa waiver travel. Applicants for visas
at U.S. consular sections are not required to obtain MRPs, regardless of
the category of visa being sought.
This change includes all categories of passports-- tourist, diplomatic,
and official. Bearers of diplomatic and official passports that are not
machine-readable will need visas beginning October 26, 2004.
Families and groups should obtain an individual passport for each
traveler, including infants. MRPs typically have biodata for only one
traveler in the machine-readable zone (MRZ), and families may be denied
visa-free entry into the U.S. if the biodata for only one traveler is
machine-readable.
27 countries participate in VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and
the United Kingdom.
Additionally, all passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 must be biometric (e-passports). You will not be required to have a biometric passport to travel on the waiver if your passport has been issued prior to that date (it still must be a MRP), but you will have to have a biometric passport if it is issued on or after that date. For more detailed information please visit the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program page.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
Many people believe that there is just one waiver status. This is not the case. In order for us to reimburse you, you must obtain a W-B or a W-1 when you enter the U.S. If you do not ask for the Waiver for Business and come here with a waiver for tourism (W-T) you will not be able to get reimbursed. Please check your passport when it is marked as this cannot be changed at a later date.
10/24/06 ds
