According to European eGovernment News Roundup, since October 2005 French citizens have been unable to travel to the United States without a visa unless they hold an electronic passport. These new generation passports, able to hold a digital image as well as a chip storing biometric data, are now due to be progressively introduced in France between April and July 2006.
The timetable for the delivery of ePassports, following this initial pilot phase, is divided into four distinct periods: first fortnight in May, selected Departments and Overseas Territories, Consulate of New York; second fortnight in May, selected Departments and Overseas Territories; first fortnight of June, selected Departments and Overseas Territories, Consulates of Hong Kong, Montreal, Washington; second fortnight of June, selected Departments and Overseas Territories, Consulates of Brussels, Geneva and London.
A full list roll out list may be found here.
Quelle: Security Document World, 11.04.2006
