9/30/2004

The first phase of the US-VISIT (United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) Program is underway at airports and seaports throughout the United States. US-VISIT requires fingerprinting and photographing of most nonimmigrant foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. 

The most notable exception is that visa-exempt non-immigrants do not have to undergo the additional processing. This will make travel easier for Canadians and visitors from visa waiver countries. There is another group of exempt non-immigrants that includes most diplomatic visa classifications like A, G, and NATO visa holders. Children under the age of 14 and individuals over the age of 79 are also exempt. 

US-VISIT affects those applying for admission or admitted pursuant to a nonimmigrant visa. It does not apply, therefore, to U.S. citizens (including naturalized U.S. citizens) or U.S. permanent residents (green card holders). 

Entry procedures remain largely unchanged, with the exception that an inkless scanning of the index finger of each hand is made, and a digital photograph is taken. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the process should take no longer than a few seconds for most non-immigrants entering the U.S. 

According to the DHS, the process added only an additional 15 seconds per person in processing time. The purpose of this process is to verify the identity of each nonimmigrant who is seeking to enter the United States. According to DHS, the digital finger scans are used to verify that the person seeking to enter is the same person to whom a visa was issued. It is also used to check for new information regarding involvement in terrorism or crime.

The DHS is also testing departure procedures. The tests are underway at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) and at the seaport cruise terminal in Miami, Florida. The departures at the test sights will require confirmation of departure at a kiosk. The procedures will be tested and evaluated throughout 2004.

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