What are the passport requirements for travel under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
• All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure will require an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP. • All passports for travel under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program must be machine-readable. • Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005, are accepted without further requirements. • Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006, must have either a digital photograph integrated into the data page or an integrated chip containing information from the data page. • Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended beginning October 26, 2006, must have an integrated electronic chip with information from the data page.
