DHS continues roll out of ePassport readers

11 October 2006

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that ePassport readers are now in place and processing holders of ePassports at more airports, including New York JFK International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The roll out of readers began at San Francisco International Airport in September and will continue at US airports through the next few weeks in preparation for a 26 October 2006 deadline that requires US ports of entry to have the capability to compare and authenticate data in e-Passports issued by Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries.

Since deploying e-Passport readers, supplied by UK company Rochford Thompson, at San Francisco International Airport three weeks ago, DHS says it has processed more than 1,944 e-Passports.

When applying to enter the United States, travellers who have a valid machine-readable passport with a digital photograph do not need to obtain a new ePassport until their existing passport expires – as long as the digital photograph passport was issued before October 26, 2006.

The inspection process at a US port of entry does not change for an ePassport holder. US Customs and Border Protection officers will have the ability to read the ePassports’ chip at inspection booths displaying the international ePassport symbol.

Approximately 13 million people each year travel to the United States under the VWP to study, conduct business, visit family or tour the country.