2005-06 Press Releases

Visa Waiver Program Biometric Passport Requirements

Embassy of the United States of America
Kinshasa, DRC
October 25, 2005

As originally announced in June 2005 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, effective October 26, 2005, travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries with passports issued on or after that date wishing to travel to the United States visa-free must have a machine-readable passport with a digital photo or integrated chip.  VWP travelers with passports issued prior to that date are not subject to biometric passport requirements but must possess a machine -readable passport in order to travel without a visa.    This requirement applies to all VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used.

Currently, 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, including 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.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of these 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (B-visa) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.  

Bearers of official and diplomatic passports can enter the United States under the VWP provided they are entering for a B-visa purpose.  If they are coming for an A or G purpose, including a temporary assignment of less than 90 days, the traveler must obtain an A or G visa.  Representatives of the foreign press, radio, film, journalists or other information media, engaging in that vocation while in the U.S. may not enter the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program. These professionals must obtain a nonimmigrant media (I) visa.

For additional information on the Visa Waiver Program or specific information on visa application procedures for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo or Congo-Brazzaville, contact the US Embassy, Consular Section, 081-884-6859 or check the Embassy website at http://Kinshasa.usembassy.gov or the US Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov.