passport chip

[choc lover]

if your travelling to america do you have to have a chipped passport?

[dzug]

No is the simple answer.

A more complex one:

If the passport was issued, renewed/extended on or after October 26, 2006, it must be also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information.

The UK issues passports that meet this requirement.

If the passport doesn't meet this requirement then you can still visit but must obtain a visa in advance rather than a visa waiver.