Correct passport to gain entry to USA?

[BexyBoo]

I have been reading up on requirements on gaining entry to the US and understand that if you are going for a holiday then you do not need a visa, if you have a 'machine readable passport' or if issued in the past 2 years, one with a digital chip. You can then apply for the 'visa waiver'. I am a bit pannicky cos I am booked to go to New York at end of June and not sure about my passport. I think it is machine readable as has the numbers and crosses at the bottom of the page, but I would be very grateful if anyone who has had a UK passport issued around 8 years ago (same time mine was) and has been to America in the last 2 years, could confirm that this is fine for me!! Thanks

[SteveD]

Use the Visa Waiver Wizard here to see if you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa _wizard.html

[BexyBoo]

Thanks for that, but as per the message, I already know what is required, I am just trying to find out wether my passport is machine readable. Thanks

[pauln90]

This is the governments advice to check if a passport is machine readable

You can check if your passport is machine-readable by seeing if there are two lines of text printed on the white stripe at the bottom of the personal information page. If there is no white strip, or the white strip is blank, the passport cannot be read by a machine.

[Buenchico]

Machine readable passports started to be introduced in the UK as long ago as 1988:
http://www.passport.gov.uk/general_history_bur gundy.asp
so there's little doubt that your passport is machine-readable.

If you think back to when you've travelled to other countries (or, in particular, when you've re-entered the UK), you've almost certainly seen passport officials swiping the photo-page through a machine.

If you're still not convinced, this page about the Visa Waiver Program (from the US Department of State) includes a photograph to show you what you should look for:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/with out_1990.html

Chris

[munchie63]

other than the lines of text at the bottom of the page, another giveaway is if your picture has been scanned, rather than stuck-in.

if your passport was issued in 99 I would be surprised if it isn't machine readable.

[BexyBoo]

Thanks, but I think it is possible to have a machine readable passport with a 'stuck in' photo. - It just doesn't have a digital chip - which as far as I'm aware is still acceptable.

[lou 26]

my passport was issued in 1998 and it is a machine readable one. Ive been to the states 7 times with it and never had a problem. The digital chips are the new biometric ones. You shouldnt have any problems with passport you have now

[BexyBoo]

Fanatastic lou! Thanks very much. can breathe a sigh of relief!

[munchie63]

Lou's spot on.
When you get your next passport it will have a chip in it - you can actually see it.
I went to the US last month. My sons passport was brand new, the other 3 were all between 3 and 8 years old.
No problems at all.
to be honest, I'm not convinced the US customs actually scan them, more like type in the details.

[BexyBoo]

Thanks Munchie, you have all been a great help.

[lou 26]

sorry, i forgot to say the last time i went was March this year and it was fine

Hope you have a fab time x

[Maggoty]

We took our mothers to US last month and my mum's 10 yr passport runs out in August. She had a dark red passport which we were told are machine readable (as opposed to the old blue ones). And yes, it was machine readable..

[louise jones]

I got my passport in July 2000 and went to USA in August 2005 and going again this August and I never had any problems as passport was machine readable.

Enjoy New York!