WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- New Zealanders are being reassured that despite new U.S. passport regulations they will still be allowed into the country without a visa.
TV New Zealand reported Oct. 26 that from that day, U.S. government regulations would require visitors from countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program to submit new e-passports with microchips for entering the United States.
The new e-passports are required to contain a microchip encapsulating digital information about the holder of the passport.
New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs Passports Manager David Philp says New Zealand has been issuing e-passports since late last year, noting that most passports issued before then are machine-readable, which are acceptable to U.S. authorities for visits up to three months. Some passports issued before October 2004 will not be acceptable in the United States, however.
New Zealanders holding valid passports should check their status prior to traveling to the United States.
Twenty-seven nations are currently involved in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.
