If you are travelling to or through the USA, you will need to be aware of the country's entry requirements for non-USA nationals.
for travel to the USA
ALL passengers intending to travel to the USA on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) are required to present a valid Machine Readable Passport (MRP). For travel from/on 04 October 05 all passengers are also required to give additional advance passenger information. This information cannot be obtained from your passport and must be provided to us prior to travel.
Please ensure assengers are aware of the information required and the options available on providing this information to us. Alternatively they must obtain a USA Visa prior to travel.
the US-VISIT programme – biometric data
US-Visit forms part of a programme of measures introduced to improve safety and security for both visitors to the US and US citizens. US-Visit procedures include all visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) arriving at both air and sea ports of entry into the USA.
what does the US-VISIT programme involve?
US-VISIT requires the collection of unique data – in this case a scan of an individual’s unique fingerprint by an inkless scanner, in addition to a digital photograph. These details are taken during the normal immigration inspection process and it’ll be necessary on each and every entry into the United States. The fingerprint is verified and stored on a US government computer together with the digital photograph.
All places of entry will have this scanning facility, but not all points of departure. If you’re passenger is leaving the US through somewhere with this facility, they will be scanned and need to present their passport at the self-service kiosks. However, they will not be penalised in any way if they are leaving via an airport that does not have this facility.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport has begun US-VISIT exit procedures to confirm the departure of all foreign visitors that entered the US with Visas.
All visitors travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme and leaving via Chicago O'Hare are required to confirm their departure and it is important that check-out is undertaken using the dedicated US-VISIT exit kiosks which arelocated in Terminal 5.
All passengers will receive a bar-coded receipt from the kiosk which should be presented to Customs & Border Protection (CBP) personnel located at the departure gate for verification.
If you're passenger would like more information about this, they should visit the US Department of Homeland Security.
more about applying for a US Visa
This can take several weeks, so we strongly recommend that:
What is a machine readable passport (MRP)?
This has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text can be read by machine.
Most of the 'new style' British passports issued in the UK since 1988 will be machine readable, but any which have been issued outside the UK may not be.
how long has the UK been issuing MRPs?
Since 1988. However around 200,000 British passports issued overseas may not be machine-readable.
how long have British children been required to hold their own passport?
Since 1999. However a number of children will have been added to their passport’s prior to that date.
when did other Visa Waiver countries begin to issue MRPs?
Several countires, e.g. France, Italy and Portugal have only recently started. So it’s possible that a large number of travellers from these countries may not hold a MRP and may be unaware of the new requirement, please check withyour clients.
when did bmi join the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)?
We joined the Visa Waiver Pilot Programme (which became permanent in October 2000) as soon as we started to fly the North Atlantic services. After the events of 11 September 2001, the Patriot Act has resulted in enhanced security requirements.
which nationalities are currently entitled to use the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP)?
Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
what are the other Visa Waiver Programme requirements?
are there any useful sources of Visa Waiver information?
Visit the US State Department website.
Visit the US Embassy in London website.