All Visa Waiver Program travelers entering the United States must possess either a machine-readable (or scannable) passport or an electronic or e-passport. Depending on the date of passport issuance, as well as the passport holder’s nationality, other passport requirements also may apply. Please visit the Department of Homeland Security website for more information.

A machine-readable passport (MRP) has the same information as a regular passport, but also features two lines of characters at the bottom of the photo page. These two lines are encoded with the passports holder's information (name, nationality, date of birth, etc). Below is an example of an MRP:

An electronic or e-passport contains an integrated chip that stores the passport holder’s biographical data, a digitized photograph and other information. E-passports are distinguished by a gold-colored symbol on the passport’s front cover.

Frequently asked questions

What if my current passport is not machine-readable?
Many countries issue passports that are valid for up to 10 years. Several countries began issuing machine-readable passports only a few years ago, so if you hold a valid passport that is not machine-readable, it will be necessary for you to obtain a new machine-readable passport or an e-passport prior to your visit to the United States. You may also choose to obtain a U.S. visa to accompany your non-machine-readable or non e-passport, instead of traveling under VWP.

Where do I get a machine-readable passport or an e-passport?
Passports are issued by each country under different rules and procedures. Check with your government to see what the requirements are for issuance.

For more information on machine-readable or e-passports visit the following sites:
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Travel Association