On 5/24/06, Any File anysomefile@gmail.com wrote:
It may be useful to add, on all revelant page like travel, visa, etc. a big notice to remeber to check the validity of the passport and to advise to request it, if needed, as soon as possible.
On 5/23/06, Florence Devouard anthere@wikimedia.org wrote:
The biometric passport is finally available in
Are you speking of the passport whit the digital photo? (actually the photo is actually a paper photo that is digitalized and printed as digital photo, not a photo directly taken in digital). This is what is required to enter in U.S. (who has a visa can use a passport without the digital photo. Passport iussed before October 26, 2005 may still have not the digital photo, but if the passpart was renewed after that date, it can not be used without the digital photo).
Biometric passport is a different thing. A passport with a chip inside in which many personal informations (not only hight, colour of eyes, but also a photograph and fingerstamps, etc) will be registered.
I believe that's what Florence is talking about. The French have finally caught up with the US's conditions.
Anthere wrote: /me wondering over US government paranoia
Hey I told...You wanted...Never mind. I could get killed for saying this. /me winks at Anthere.
/me wondering over French government absolute disability to handle tough issues within decent deadlines, whilst all other european countries manage.
Alas, French is not the only country to have such problem. In Italy the situation is similar or worse. And I belive that in many other countries the situation is similar, and it is surely going worse and worse as summer is approaching.
At least you have not to pay a 40.29 eur stamp every year on the passport (which is lost if you have to change the passoprt because someoneelse choose that you have to change the type of you passport)
(well, I have never undestood why all the countries should change their passport because of the willing of just one country. This is the reason why the other countries are not ready: because they were not the one who choose to have the passports in this way).
I urge anyone neededing a new passport, to request it as soon as possible.
And yes, it should be big, red and flashy on the Visa information page that people *need* to call the American Embassy closest to them to make sure their passport is OK.
Delphine