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ajapaleU.S. Visa Waiver Travel Requires Machine-Readable Passport
U.S. Ambassador James Kenny announces new measures affecting travelers to the United States from Ireland. Starting October 26, 2004, travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must have a machine-readable passport. Children, including infants, who are endorsed on a parent’s passport must have an individual machine readable passport. Holders of passports that are not machine-readable will need to apply for a visa, even if they would otherwise be eligible for the travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
Most Irish passports, with the exception of those that are handwritten, are machine-readable. If a traveler has any doubt about whether a passport qualifies as machine-readable, he or she should check with the passport issuing authority for that country.
Ireland is one of the 27 countries currently in the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries traveling on commercial carriers are permitted to enter the United States for general business or tourist purposes for a maximum of 90 days without needing a visa.
Under the US-VISIT program beginning September 30, 2004 all travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program will have their index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken before departure at either Dublin or Shannon airport.
According to Ambassador Kenny, these combined measures offer greater security to travelers and make it harder for terrorists and criminals to use forged or stolen passports to evade security measures. “Machine readable passports,” said Amb. Kenny, “are a vital part of making travel to the United States safer for everyone. For Irish citizens in particular, and anyone traveling to the U.S. via Ireland’s two international airports, such passports and the pre-clearance process done here in Ireland will make travel safer and more convenient. Upon landing in the U.S., pre-cleared travelers can get out of the airport more quickly to enjoy their visit.”
The US-VISIT program is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program that enhances our country’s entry and exit system, it enables the United States to effectively verify the identity of incoming visitors and confirm compliance with visa and immigration policies. US-VISIT is helping us demonstrate that we remain a welcoming nation and that we can keep America’s doors open and our nation secure.
You require a machine readable passport to travel to the us under the Visa Waiver Program. You can still travel to the US with a non-machine readable passport, but you must get a visa from the US embassy to do so.you require a machine readable passport for travel to the us
ajapaleTRAVEL WITHIN AN ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION
23 April 2004 All Union citizens have the right to enter and reside in the territory of any other Member State of the Union for a period of up to three months simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card: no other formality is required. Member States cannot therefore set additional conditions concerning the minimum validity of duration of the identity card or passport.
If a person intends to reside for a period exceeding three months, a residence permit must be obtained. The conditions for granting a residence permit depend on the status of the citizen (employed or self-employed person, student, retired or inactive person).
After the 1st of May 2004, citizens of the 10 acceding Member States will enjoy the same rights of free movement within the EU as citizens of current Member States. This obviously also applies to nationals of current Member States wishing to travel to and reside in the territory of the new Member States.
You can also consult the website of DG Justice and Home Affairs:
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Bringing your pet outside of Ireland
If you are considering re-locating or moving abroad from Ireland and wish to bring your pet with you, it is important to note that the rules and procedures in place in other countries about importing pets may differ from those in Ireland. For example, to import a pet from Ireland into some countries, your pet may require evidence of a rabies vaccination or health certification from a district veterinary office in Ireland. You should check with the relevant embassy in advance of travel. A full list of foreign embassies in Ireland is available here. Further information is also available from the Department of Agriculture and Food at the address under 'Where to apply'.
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