Q:	What countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program?
A:	Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK.

Q:	What is required to enter the United States under the VWP on or after October 26, 2005?
A:	Valid passports issued before October 26, 2005, are valid for travel under the VWP provided they are machine-readable. Passports issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005 require a digital photo integrated into the passport data page for travel under the VWP.

Q:

Why has DHS decided to require a digital photograph by October 26, 2005?

A:

The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002 mandates that travel to the United States must include a biometric identifier based on applicable standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). After extensive consultation with Congress and the ICAO, DHS has concluded that digital photographs provide more security against counterfeiting than traditional photographs. While counterfeiting of both traditional and digital photographs can take place, it is generally much more difficult and expensive with the digital photographs, thus adding additional security to the passport.

Q:	How does a digital passport photo differ from a standard passport photo?
A:	Digital photos are those that are electronically printed onto the biographic page of the passport, rather than affixed to the passport by adhesive and/or laminated.

Q:

What should carriers look for when determining compliance?

A:

Carriers and CBP officers alike should look for the following two indicators: The date of issuance Whether the photo is affixed or integrated A digital photo is actually part of the biographic page, and is therefore completely smooth to the touch. You should not be able to feel any aberration of the page or variation of the photo area when you run your finger across it, as you would with an affixed photo.

Q:	Will a non-compliant passport be confiscated?
A:	No, the passport will not be confiscated; however, any fraudulent documents are subject to confiscation.

Q:

Will I be denied entry if my passport does not comply with the requirement?

A:

A VWP national arriving in the United States with a passport issued or renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2005, that does not comply with the digital photo requirement may be denied admission, and may be detained pending removal. As an alternative to the digital photo passport, the alien may obtain a nonimmigrant visa in his or her non-compliant passport. Travelers should not presume they will be admitted or paroled without a compliant passport and they therefore should get a visa.

Q:	How do I obtain a visa?
A:	Instructions to apply for a U.S. visa are available on the State Department website. ( Travel @ the State Department ) , by calling the Department of State’s Visa Services center at (202) 663-1225, or by contacting the nearest consulate or embassy.

Q:

How many countries will meet the digital photo deadline? What happens to those nations who will not be in compliance by October 26, 2005?

A:

Twenty-four of the 27 VWP countries have integrated digital photos into the data page of newly issued passports. Three countries have expressed some concerns about meeting the requirements. DHS has worked closely with Austria, Italy and France to assist with meeting the deadline. The Austrian government has indicated that it will issue passports to self-identified travelers to the U.S. with a visa “foil” integrated in the visa page of the passport. This visa foil alternative is an acceptable alternative means of compliance with the digital photo requirements. DHS expects to receive a sample document from Austria and will confirm that it can be read at ports of entry. Upon completion of successful testing, DHS anticipates that Austria will be certified as having met the requirements. Travelers that do not obtain this modified passport will be required to obtain a visa. Italy and France will not have enough digital photo production capabilities in operation by October 26, 2005 to replace all passports that will expire with passports that include digital photos. Therefore, travelers from these countries are urged to contact their local passport issuance offices to obtain information on whether a digital passport can be issued. If not, DHS urges travelers to obtain a visa prior to travel to the U.S. DHS will continue to work closely with these countries to certify their full compliance as soon as possible.

Q:	Will Italy or France be removed from the VWP for their non-compliance?
A:	There are no plans to remove any country from the VWP for failure to meet this 10/26/05 document requirement, however we remind you that the law does not provide for a waiver. DHS will continue to work with all VWP countries to assess compliance with the requirement to have either the passport contain a digital facial image integrated into the data page or an e-passport.

Q:	Will you give a waiver for those countries not meeting the October 26, 2005 deadline?
A:	U.S. law does not permit a waiver of biometric passport requirements for VWP travelers. Travelers whose passports are not compliant will be required to obtain visas to travel to the U.S.

Q:

What outreach is being conducted to inform the consulates, carriers, and traveling public of this and future requirements?

A:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the State Department are working in tandem to reach out to those who will be affected by this requirement. Press Releases are being issued by DHS, website content will be updated on CBP’s website, and the State Department has sent cables to its consular posts worldwide and is working with the VWP host governments to alert travelers to the new rules.

Q:	If I am denied entry because my passport does not contain a digital photo, will I be denied future entry?
A:	Denial of admission for lack of a compliant passport, whether or not paroled, will not bar the alien from the VWP for future entries once the alien obtains a compliant passport. Under normal circumstances, an alien who is found inadmissible under the VWP would be ineligible as a VWP applicant for all future entries.

Q:	What about truck drivers working in Canada or Mexico who are nationals of VWP countries?
A:	The requirements for residents of Canada or Mexico are the same as for any other VWP applicants. If the driver is a national of a VWP country and is seeking admission for legitimate business or pleasure purposes, he or she is subject to the digital photo requirement.

Q:	Does the digital photo requirement apply to the Guam Visa Waiver Program?
A:	No, this requirement does not apply to the Guam Visa Waiver Program.

Q:

Are there additional future requirements to the VWP program?

A:

Yes, in addition to all previous requirements for an individual machine-readable passport, and the October 26, 2005 deadline for passports to contain a digital photo, the next VWP requirements are as follows: October 26, 2006 "E-passport" – Passports issued as of this date must contain an integrated chip that stores biographic data, a digitized photo, and other biometric information. Some countries have already begun issuance of E-passports, which are acceptable under the digital photo requirement.

Q:

Will there be fines for boarding non-compliant travelers?

A:

Beginning October 26, 2005, transportation carriers will be fined up to $3,300, per violation, for transporting any visitor traveling under the Visa Waiver Program to the United States who does not meet these requirements. Similarly, visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program arriving in the United States on or after that date without the proper passport should not anticipate being granted entry into the country.

Q:	Where can I find out more?
A:	Instructions to apply for a U.S. visa are available on the State Department website. ( Travel @ the State Department ) , by calling the Department of State’s Visa Services center at (202) 663-1225, or by contacting the nearest consulate or embassy.