US Visas and machine readable passports

[DAVOUT]

The more Rogan Josh gives explanations, the more the whole passport story looks suspect. The least suspicious customs officer could not stay unconcerned :

- Ah, Mr Josh, I see in our computerized records that you need a new passport every six months, ..., issued in a different embassy ... Are you collecting passports or embassy stamps? What were you doing in Kaboul in August 2001 when your first passport was issued?

- I was making a market study on the production and distribution of women underwear in this interesting country. Quite disappointing in fact ... few datas available, and almost impossible to get appointments.

- Fair enough. Please follow me to this office with FBI on the door.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by MikeH
It doesn't say that on the official site.

It says it requires that the government of the country must start to issue machine readable passports by that date.

From the state department website http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html

Machine-readable passports - Starting October 1, 2003, each Visa Waiver Program traveler must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa, otherwise a nonimmigrant visa is required. This change includes all categories of passports-- regular, diplomatic, and official, when the traveler is seeking to enter the U.S. for B-1/B-2 purposes. To learn more, see below. Select Visa Telegram dated 7/15/03 for Public Talking Points and additional information.

[MikeH]

So even the gov't websites don't agree then?

It's going to cause chaos.

[optimus2861]

The VWP permits arrivals from Mexico and Canada at land border ports-of-entry (POEs). The documentary requirements are the same, except there is no requirement for round-trip tickets and signatory carriers, as there are no carriers involved. You must satisfy the inspecting officer that you have funds to support yourself during your stay and to depart the United States. If you enter at a land POE you must complete and sign the Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form), usually issued in the secondary inspection station, and pay the land border fee as prescribed in 8 CFR § 103.7(b)(1).

To cut through the legalese -- does that mean that every Canadian (and Mexican) driving across the border as of next month has to stop, fill out paperwork, and pay a goddamn fee just to enter the USA, even for pleasure trips? That can't be right. The border delays could be tremendous; businesses along the border that do a lot of cross-border trade would be screaming bloody murder about it.

[Rogan Josh]

My travel agent today told me that they have now had 'unofficial' word that this is going to be delayed a year.

So it looks like I am going

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by MikeH
So even the gov't websites don't agree then?

It's going to cause chaos.

The really fun part is that some of the state department computers are down with a virus http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/sec...9116657,00.htm

An attack of the Welchia worm lead the US Department of State to shut down its system for filtering visa applications in search of potential terrorists

A computer virus has hit the US Department of State, affecting the performance of the government's information technology system that manages visa approvals, according to reports.

The virus shut down the State Department's Consular Lookout and Support System (Class) on Tuesday, according to published reports from Reuters and the Associated Press. A State Department representative CNET News.com reached on Wednesday would not confirm that the system had crashed but indicated that IT personnel were working on a problem.

Late on Wednesday, the State Department provided more details of the incident. According to spokeswoman Joanne Moore, at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the department's IT workers discovered the Welchia worm on an "unclassified open network" area of the Class system and began taking measures to contain the attack.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by optimus2861

To cut through the legalese -- does that mean that every Canadian (and Mexican) driving across the border as of next month has to stop, fill out paperwork, and pay a goddamn fee just to enter the USA, even for pleasure trips? That can't be right. The border delays could be tremendous; businesses along the border that do a lot of cross-border trade would be screaming bloody murder about it.

Again from the state department website

Do Canadian Citizens Need a Visa or MRP?

Citizens of Canada generally do not require a visa. (While some people mistakenly think Canada is part of the visa waiver program, the authorization for Canadian citizens to travel visa-free comes from other immigration laws.) The machine-readable passport requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens, because they are not part of the visa waiver program.

So unless you're as diplomat entering the US or a few other specific people, the answer is no.