Machine Readable passports Required for Visa-Free Travel to U.S.

Current Rule
Under current U.S. visa rules, nationals of certain countries are permitted to enter the United States as business visitors or tourists in the B visa category without having an actual B visa stamp in their passport. This visa exemption is available under the so-called Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) for nationals of certain countries.

New Rule
Effective October 1, 2003, any eligible VWP participant must present a machine-readable passport (“MRP”) in order to enter the U.S. visa-free.