The majority of Europeans do not currently need a Visa to enter the USA and enter under a so-called Visa-Waiver scheme. Some business travellers have Visas, but their necessity has declined since the new scheme was introduced several years ago.
However, changes are underway...
A new US law requires that Europeans hold a Visa to enter the USA after October 2004, unless their passports contain biometric data.
For many years now, EU citizens have been able to enter the USA under a Visa waiver scheme. Since 9/11, immigration authorities have been getting stricter and now a deadline has been set.
The crux is that many countries will not be ready with the new passports until at least 2005 (Germany) or 2006 (United Kingdom.) There is still disagreement over which technology will be selected. US Authorities currently prefer iris scan over fingerprinting or DNA technology.
Europeans who do not have a US Visa or whose Visa will expire before October 2004, could find that they are not longer granted the freedom to travel to the USA unless their passport has been updated with the new technology.
