British Expatriate Network

This may be of interest, particularly for U.S-based Britons with visitors coming over.

http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3953237.stm

I'm not sure how you could not be up to date on this.
According to the article machine readable passports have been issued since 1991.
That's 13 years ago.
Aren't passports only good for 10 years?
Even the kids on parental passports must affect a small amount of the population .
I know the law had aready been changed when I renewed my passport in 1996.

Only passports issued for UK residents from the UK Passport Office were machine readable since 1991. Most (all?) of the UK citizens who got one overseas via the consulate ended up without the >>>>>>.

And of course the US are pushing hard for the introduction of biometric passports.
As far as I'm aware they extended the deadline to October 2005.
After that passport holders from visa waiver countries will only be allowed to use the visa waiver if they have a biometric passport.
After October 2005, travellers from visa waiver countries without a biometric passport will have to apply for a US visa the same as non visa waiver countries already have to.
Right now the UK are testing biometric passports with 10,000 volunteers.

Here's something that occured to me, given that the US are so insistant that other countries introduce biometric passports , are they going to be issuing biometric passports themslves to US citizens or will it be "do as we say, not as we do".......does anyone know???

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/34423.htm reads:

Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 15, 2004



Biometric Passport Procurement Moves Forward


On July 12, 2004, the United States Government Printing Office (GPO) released the final Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure the technological components needed to produce the first U.S. biometric passport. The final Request for Proposal provides the specifications for passport book covers, which will contain an electronic computer chip.

Biometric U.S. passports will include a digital image of the bearer's face and biographic information on the electronic chip embedded in the passport. This will facilitate verification of identity through facial recognition at U.S. ports of entry through the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT system. A pilot test for the issuance of biometric passports to U.S. government employees is planned for late December 2004. Issuance to the general public is expected to begin in the first quarter of calendar year 2005. By the end of 2005, all domestically produced U.S. passports will be biometric passports.

The Department of State is committed to producing the most secure, tamper-resistant U.S. passport incorporating new technology. We recognize the inherent security advantages of biometrics and also strive to remain at the forefront of international measures to promote improved border security. The new biometric U.S. passport complies with the International Civil Aviation Organization's standards for incorporation of biometrics in international travel documents such as passports.

Proposals are due to the contract office by August 12, 2004. More information can be found about the Request for Proposal at the Federal Business Opportunities website, http://www.fedbizopps.gov.

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2004/771
[End]

Another piece of terrific writing there. Anyone know what the Office of home and security is? :)

Regards
Nigel

just had my UK passport issued by Washington...phew.

This mostly affects people who have kids on their passports rather than kids with their own.