News

THE US government is expected to delay its controversial biometric passport requirements for two years after secretary of state Colin Powell admitted tourism would “suffer gravely”.

In a letter to Congress, Powell and US homeland security secretary Tom Ridge warned tourists would go elsewhere unless the passport rules were pushed back. That would cost the US “billions of dollars” in lost revenue, the letter said.

Under the requirements, passports issued after October 26 this year will have to contain biometric information. But the UK and a host of other countries are not due to start issuing biometric passports for two years.

Powell asked for the scheme to be delayed until October 26 2006. People with passports issued within that timeframe will have to apply for a visa to enter the US.

Visit Florida UK director Colin Brodie said: “Common sense must prevail. I don’t think the October 26 deadline will happen.”

ABTA said a change of heart from the US would be a “welcome move”.