USA Passports?

[paul 1]

Does anyone know which passport is required for the US? mine was issued december 2002, its not the type with the bar code on the front page. will that do or do i need to get this new type? thanks

[pink-kittens]

If it is still in date you can use it for the US

[ChuckFickens]

You can travel to the states with a non MRP (machine readable passport) but you can't go using the Visa Waiver scheme, you'll have to get a visa from the US authorities

[spudqueen]

My passport was issued in June 2002 and I have been 5 times to the States on it, no problem.

[Zax47]

It's not a barcode you are looking for! Just a "machine readable" passport. (and it's nothing to do with the front page.)

Look at the page with your picture and if it has all the rows of >>>>>>> symbols at the bottom with your details (numbers & letters) interspersed then it is a "machine readable" passport.

Mine was issued in 2000 and it is a machine readable passport.

Don't be confused with the newer "chip" passports with biometric info, currently you only need a machine readable passport and to fill out the green Visa Waiver Programme form which you will be given on the plane.

[pink-kittens]

Zax,
Chuck was incorrect then?

That's good because there is no way i am applying for 3 bloody visa's! We will all have machine readable passports BTW

[Zax47]

ChuckFickens was correct in so much as peple without a machine readable passort need a Visa, but you DO have a machine readable passport so it is OK for you to use the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) green form. Be aware that the VWP changes in Jan 2008 and you have to notify the US authorities ahead of travelling, rather than just fill a form in when en-route like now.

[Zax47]

Oh, forgot to mention, seeing as they have been issuing machine readable passports for over 10 years and(exceptional circumstances excepted) they last 10 years, then there won't be many non-machine readable passports left out there.

[pink-kittens]

Thanks for your reply Zac
Much appreciated