Welcome to the United States A Guide for International Travelers by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and - HTML preview

Passports for Visa Waiver Program Travelers

VWP travelers must hold passports valid for the period of their intended stay except for travelers from Brunei, who need a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay.

New passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries must be e-passports, which include a computer chip with biographic and biometric information and a digitized photo. You can identify an e-passport by this symbol.

If your passport does not have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if yours is a valid passport issued:

 • Before October 26, 2005, and includes a machine-readable zone, or

• Between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and includes a digital photograph.

If you were issued a passport on or after October 26, 2006, and it is not an e-passport, you will need to obtain a visa.

Machine-Readable Passports

Valid passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries before October 26, 2005, must have a machine-readable zone. Machine-readable passports our T have two lines of letters, numbers and chevrons (<<<) at the bottom of the personal information page, along with the bearer’s picture.

If your passport does not have this feature, you can Pr get a qualifying, new passport from your country of nationality or get a visa.

Digital Photographs

Passports issued, renewed or extended by Visa Waiver Program countries between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, must include a digital photo printed on the data page. A digital photo is one that is printed on the page, not a photo that is glued or laminated into the passport.

If your passport does not have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if you:

• Were issued a valid passport before October 26, 2005, with a machine-readable zone, or

• You have an e-passport, which includes a computer chip containing biographic and biometric information and a digitized photograph.

If you are issued a passport on or after October 26, 2005, and it does not meet the requirements outlined in this section, you will need to obtain a visa.

Passports for Travelers from Austria and Germany

• Austrian visas issued prior to December 31, 2006, may have a “foil” as an acceptable alternative for the digital photo requirement for VWP applicants.

• The German child’s passport or kinderreisepass is valid for visa-free travel only if issued prior to October 26, 2006.