How do i know if my passprt is machine readable for US entry?

Question

I am going to america from n.ireland in october. Ive heard they need the pasprt to be 'machine readable'. My passport is uk and was issued in Nov 2004.

Answer 1

If your passport was issued in 2004, then it will be machine readable.  I assume you have the dark red passport headed, on the front cover, "European Union  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"

On the back page, but one, where your photo is, you will see at the bottom of the page two lines of text, including your name and lots of <<<<<<<< symbols and numbers - that is the machine readable bit so if you have that - no probs.

On your flight to US you will be asked to fill in a green Vis Waiver form - fill this in very carefully and if you make a mistake, ask for a new one - it will save you a lot of time at US Immigration when you land!

Have a good trip

Answer 2

There should be a chip in it.

Answer 3

2004? You be all fine and well.

I started out as a US citizen but being born in England and having a British mother I got UK citizenship as well. My wife was born in Ireland so she has the same as well. So of course we have freinds and family on both sides who travel to the US.

The US does not give one whit about UK citizens and if it is machine readable or not. If you were coming from Iran there might be a problem.... but not for UK citizens.

Just get on the plane, fill out the little card in flight and present that to the officials. It will take all of 3 minutes when you get to the desk.  

Answer 4

To help you carry out this check, a British passport is machine readable when there are two lines of letters, numbers and chevrons (“>>>>>”) printed across the long edge of the personal information page (the page with photograph and personal details). The machine-readable text will appear on a white strip on older passports and directly on the pink page of newer passports. If there are no such lines of text on the personal information page, the passport is not machine-readable.