I am sorry my friend, but you may be in a tight spot. From your favorite newspaper:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ad...ssued-in-2006/
"Most British passports issued between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, do not have printed digital photographs. This one-year problem arose because the UK’s passport agency did not have the equipment to print digital photographs in time for the US deadline for countries using the Visa Waiver Program. The US Consulate in London says that your husband either has to apply for a tourist visa or he must obtain a new passport."
You could fly anyway, although you may get into secondary inspection. Since your passport is actually valid, they will most likely let you in anyway. I will was in a similar situation about 10 years ago when I was a student, and was directed into secondary. Once there, the supervisor got really annoyed with the CBP agent. "What's your problem! His passport is valid, let him in!". This was at JFK.
I think it is unlikely you will be denied entry, but it may depend on the CBP agent. Since the rule is quite new, I think most agents will be flexible, and Brits seems to be a preferred category from my experience.
Originally Posted by
Manx Flyer
Oh ****!
I didn't know this and I am off to Las Vegas on Sunday. I have a passport issued 26th September 2006 that is not an ePassport. I was going to renew it after this trip.
Looking at the BA website I found details that say:
If you don't have an e-Passport and you are a citizen of a country that joined the Visa Waiver Program prior to 2008, you can still travel without a visa if:
You have a valid passport with a machine-readable zone issued before 26 October 2005, or
If your passport includes a digital photograph and was issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006.
If your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2006 and it is not an e-Passport, you will need to obtain a visa.
What do they mean by digital photo? Any ideas urgently! I cannot renew my passport in time - IOM has outsourced passport printing to the UK and the minimum is a 5 day service!
Cheers
Manx Flyer (worried!)