Homeland Security implements rule on digitized passport photos

A Homeland Security Department rule that went into effect Wednesday requires visitors from certain countries to carry passports with digital photos and punishes carriers that transport people to the United States without the new passports.

Under the rule, the 27 countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program must issue their citizens passports with digitized photographs, rather than photos that are glued or laminated onto the document. The requirement comes as part of U.S. efforts to crack down on the use of fraudulent passports and close a loophole that DHS officials say could be exploited by terrorists.

"Beginning Oct. 26, 2005, transportation carriers will be fined up to $3,300, per violation, for transporting any visitor traveling under the Visa Waiver Program to the United States who does not meet these requirements," DHS said in a statement. "Similarly, visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program arriving in the United States on that date without the proper passport should not anticipate being granted entry into the country."

Citizens of VWP countries have been free to travel to the United States for up to three months without obtaining a visa from U.S. consulates. Concerns were raised after the 9/11 attacks, however, that terrorists will exploit the program to gain access to the country.

"Digital photographs provide more security against counterfeiting than traditional photographs," DHS said. "Digital photos can be electronically stored and accessed, therefore making it easier to verify whether the individual currently presenting the passport is the same person to whom the passport was issued."

DHS said that 25 of the 27 VWP countries are complying with the new rule. Italy and France have limited digital photo production capabilities. Therefore, travelers from those two countries are urged to contact their local passport offices for information on whether a digital passport can be issued. If one cannot, travelers from those countries should obtain a visa prior to visiting the United States, DHS said.

The Bush administration originally asked VWP countries to begin issuing passports with biometric information by October 2004. That deadline was extended, however, after it became apparent the countries could not meet it. Instead, the administration required VWP countries to issue passports with digital photos by Oct. 26.

The administration is now requiring the countries to add biometric chips to their passports by next year.

"While a digital photo is an important step in requiring biometrics in passports, this is just the first in several steps to incorporate biometric identifiers into travel documents," DHS said.