If your school has an upcoming trip planned to the land of the free and the home of the brave, it is now essential that your students have biometric passports in order to complete their journey into the US.
Instated in response to growing security concerns following citizens from 'waiver' states being involved in terrorist activity, the measure has seen British families turned away at passport control. It is estimated that some five million British people hold travel documents that are now defunct in America due to the absence of a micro chip.
Holiday makers wishing to journey to America who have the traditional passport format will have to renew their passport early at the price of £72.50. The renewal will secure them a chip within the passport cover containing a digitised version of their photograph which a machine will then be able to verify against their face.
Schools must be aware of this new requirement and ensure that no distressing situations arise due to these limitations. Some travelers have claimed that even the completion of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) before travel had failed to give them warning of the regulation now in place at border control.
Schools should notify parents of the need to check their child's passport and allow sufficient time for replacements to be procured if necessary.
Handsam can help you plan your American adventure with our trip planning service and help you get a handle of those trip specific risks with our risk assessment guidance.
