Biometric Data

**tbiddulph** · 03-04-2004, 13:58

US to tighten British visitor checks

British visitors to the US will be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival from later this year as part of new counter-terrorism measures, American officials announced yesterday.
A programme requiring foreigners to submit photographs and digital scans of each index finger is to be expanded from September to include millions of citizens from 27 US allies, including Britain, Australia, Spain, Italy and Japan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/...184972,00.html

**Carla** · 03-04-2004, 14:41

That already happens to those of us with Visas. Only takes a couple of minutes at immigration and on a subsequent visit you just stick your finger on the glass "eye"!! They've sorted this technology, but the biometric technology is proving a harder nut to crack!!

**tbiddulph** · 03-04-2004, 14:43

Any idea when Biometric British passports will be available ?

**Carla** · 03-04-2004, 14:44

Sometime mid 2005, or so they say. I'd still recommend anyone whose passport runs out within the next year to 18 months, to get a new one now, though.

**chrisj** · 03-04-2004, 15:23

Ive heard they might not even be ready by next year, seems our technology isnt ready. Seems the
norm for us

Mind you we might be getting ID cards soon

**Carla** · 03-04-2004, 15:27

It isn't just our technology. The US are having problems and they can't make the biometric technology work properly either so the change is probably going to be put back - it's going through congress at the moment!!!

**chrisj** · 03-04-2004, 15:32

Oh thats good that it isnt just us having problems. On a funny side me and Wifey sent off for some
bus pass thingies where you can travel free at certain times. They put our piccies on the wrong
cards, So im now officially a woman