US Extends New Passport Deadline

Washington had originally been planning to introduce the new passports, which are to include biometric features such as fingerprints, iris recognition or facial geometry at the end of October this year. But the time scale was proving unrealistic, with many of the 27 countries affected -- including Germany and many other EU states -- not ready to implement the new ID system.

Under the present rules citizens from the 27 countries are generally allowed to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, but as of 26 October 2005, they will either have to have a new passport or will have to obtain a visa from the US authorities. "If they do not have them they will be refused entry," a U.S. official said.

The issuing of biometric passports was prompted by the Sept.11 terrorist attacks and fears that the current system makes it too easy for terrorists to gain access to the States by using stolen or forged EU passports.

Tough line remains

However, the State Department in Washington has not extended this year's deadline for the creation of machine-readable passports. A press release stated that "all passports used for travel in the Visa Waiver Program must be machine-readable" by this October. Failing that, visitors will be obliged to get a visa.

From the end of September this year, the US authorities will tighten security controls at both airports and harbors, where they will take fingerprints and digital photographs of those traveling into the country from visa waiver states. The policy already applies to most foreigners entering the States, and has already caused much anger among visitors.