My passport for a US holiday......

Amba_Gambla

Hi
I'm wanting to book a fligth to the US, I've found a reeeeely cheap one (over £100 cheaper than the rest) but I'm sure I read somewhere that I can't travel there on my new passport....

I think I read that you now need the new stylee computer readable passport to be able to get in - My passport was issue in 1998, and they've changed and become more hi-tech since then..... just need to know if I am ok - I'm sure this cheapo fare isn't going to hang around for long!

I'm in the process of trawling thru USembassy.org.uk but haven't found the info i need......

any help would be appreciated....

cheers

AG

Amba_Gambla

ah ha!

from virgin atlantic......

"If travelling to and from the USA on or after 26 October 2004 all passengers MUST be in possession of a valid Machine Readable Passport (MRP - see definition below). These can generally be identifed by two lines of computer code printed at the bottom of the biographical page (The page that contains the passport holders personal details)."

Amba_Gambla

also

A Machine Readable Passport has the holder's biographical details, e.g. name, date or birth, nationality and passport number, contained in two lines of text at the bottom of the photo page. This text, or 'Machine Readable Zone' (MRZ), can be read by a machine. Most British passports issued since 1988 have an MRZ, however some passports issued overseas may not. As from 26 October 2004, all passengers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme will be required to have a Machine Readable Passport.

looks like I should be fine...... what a waste of 3 posts - anyway, hope it might be of some use to someone else!!

Nile

Amba_Gambla wrote:

also



looks like I should be fine...... what a waste of 3 posts - anyway, hope it might be of some use to someone else!!

Hello Amba_Gambla

Posting a question on these boards isn't a waste, you might prompt another traveller to check their passport before it's too late.

These open questions allow others to see and when there is also an answer, we can stop worrying.

Enjoy your holiday.

telly-addict

When checking your passport for validity - make sure the photo is still firmly affixed. I heard of someone recently that was refused access to their plane because the photo was coming loose - it looked like it had been tampered with although it hadn't been. They had no comeback on their insurance, so it's worth checking.

Baz-Bee

On the newer passports (certainly post June 2001) the photo is digitally printed on the actual page and is not a separate photo anymore.