Machine Readable Passport Required for Visa Waiver Visitors
Posted Jul 11, 2003

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a cable to the consulates, effective October 1, 2003, requiring any Visa Waiver Program (VWP) visitor to the U.S. without a visa to have a machine-readable passport (MRP) to enter the country. This requirement is part of the USA Patriot Act of 2001. In light of this requirement, the consulates are expecting an increase in nonimmigrant visa applications, as it may be difficult for persons from some of the VWP countries to obtain a new machine-readable passport from their governments, particularly if they are living abroad. While some of the VWP countries have been issuing MRPs since the early or mid 1990s, others, such as Switzerland, only started issuing MRPs last year.

For many it is easier, and may be less costly, to obtain the MRP than the nonimmigrant visa. The nonimmigrant visa application fee is $100. For those who cannot obtain the needed MRPs, a visa stamp will be required to enter the U.S. The consulates are directed to encourage people to apply for the MRPs, but not to refuse applications for visas made by persons from visa waiver countries simply because they could avoid applying for the visa by using the MRP.

These provisions only affect travel on the VWP, not travel with nonimmigrant visas since most visas around the world are already machine readable visas (MRVs). The changes affect all categories of passports, including official, diplomatic, and tourist. Families need to have the MRP for all family members, including infants. Families must have bio-data in the machine-readable zone for each family member.

The VWP is outlined in various articles on MurthyDotCom, including, Permanent Extension of VWP – Includes some H1B Related Provisions, from October 30, 2000 and Argentina Eliminated from Visa Waiver Program, from March 02, 2002. There are twenty-seven countries in the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The DOS will be sending appropriate reminders regarding this requirement and will not make exceptions to this requirement.