Portugal being member of EC, come under Visa Waiver Program (VWP) We visited US (from UK) just before sept.11 and we needed no visa (But Visa was stamped on Arrival). Check the new rules below (FAQs).
Even now, Potuguese passport holders don't require Visa (as my friend said he visited US few months ago) but may require to produce confirmed hotel accomodation at the immigration desk upon landing. Also, check the new requirement (below)digital photo etc ==== Passport requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program Visa free travelers, including children, entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) require individual machine-readable passports (MRP). This requirement has been in place since October 26, 2004. >From October 26, 2005 passports issued on or after that date must contain a >digital photograph of the holder. How do I know if I have a machine-readable passport? Machine-readable passports allow data in the passport to be scanned automatically by a machine. There are two lines of letters, numbers and >s printed at the bottom of the personal information page, that is, the page with photograph and personal details. (circled in red in the image of a U.S. machine-readable passport shown below) If you are in any doubt as to whether or not your passport is machine-readable, you should check with the passport issuing authority of your country. Follow this link for an example of a machine readable passport. How do I know if my passport contains a digital photograph The majority of VWP countries already issue passports with a digital photo integrated into the data page. Visitors can tell whether their passport meets these requirements if it contains a digital photograph that is printed on the page, not glued or laminated into the document. Follow this link for an example of a passport with a digital photograph. I understand that further changes are to take place in 2006 Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006, must also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. Follow this link for an example of a such a passport. What do I do if I do not have a machine-readable passport or a passport which contains a digital photograph? If you do not have a machine-readable passport you will either be required to apply for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa, or if you wish to continue traveling visa free under the VWP, obtain a new passport which is machine readable. If you are a national of a country that does not issue passports with digital photographs and your passport is issued on or after October 26, 2005 you will be required to apply for either a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa. If your passport is issued before this date, the digital photograph requirement will NOT apply to you. Do I require a biometric passport to travel to the United States? Passports issued on or after October 26, 2005, must include a biometric identifier based on applicable standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Department of Homeland Security has announced that from October 26, 2005, a digital photograph of the passport holder's face printed on the data page of the passport will be the acceptable standard. Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006, must also include an integrated circuit chip capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. What is an E-passport or Smart passport? It is a biometric passport which is capable of storing the biographic information from the data page, a digitized photograph and other biometric information. Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 must meet this standard. [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ Konkani Songs, Goan Photos, Tiatr/Film VCDs, Bank interest rates etc etc (for updates etc click below) http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/files/ ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Photos NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 8p a photo http://uk.photos.yahoo.com
