Brits may require electronic passports to enter the us

Photo: Gov UK

Millions of British tourists planning to visit America may require an electronic passport to enter the US, as the country seeks to upgrade its security protocols.

"Given the terrorist attacks in Paris and the ongoing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, the United States is aggressively strengthening its Visa Waiver Program and bolstering our relationships with VWP partners," the White House announced this week.

The Visa Waiver Programme is a long-established agreement between the USA and 38 countries, which means that citizens from these nations may travel to the States without requiring a visa.

Now, though, the Department for Homeland Security and the State Department are reviewing the programme to discuss accelerating the requirement for all VWP travellers to use e-passports, i.e. passports with embedded security chips.

"ISIL's force consists of foreign terrorist fighters, including thousands from countries in the Visa Waiver Program. It is for this reason principally that I directed a series of security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program which began in November 2014," said Secretary Jeh C. Johnson in a statement. "In August 2015, I announced a series of further security enhancements to the program. These included requirements for E-Passports, the use of Interpol's screening capabilities, and more robust implementation of the information sharing agreements required under the Visa Waiver Program."

The Departments will report back to the President within 60 days. If approved, millions of British travellers with old passports without the biometric microchip may be required by US law to renew their passports in order to enter the country.