DOS TO REQUIRE MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS FOR V/Ws

The Department of State (DOS) recently issued a cable notice announcing that it will require visa-waiver applicants to hold machine-readable passports (MRP), effective October 1, 2003. Initial legislation did not require MRPs until October 1, 2007. Most countries who participate in the visa-waiver program have been issuing MRPs since the mid-1990s. Therefore the DOS does not expect the sped-up requirement to hinder travel. However certain countries -- Switzerland, Italy and Spain, most notably -- may find that significant portions of their national-population will need to update their passport if they wish to travel via the visa-waiver to the United States. Nationals with non-machine-readable passports will still be able to obtain traditional visas for entry.