SQ Flights to USA: visa / biometric passport requirement

[EWR]

As those in Singapore would have heard in the media in recent days/weeks, there has been a slight media concern in the city-state over passport requirements for using the Visa Waiver Program to USA. I'd just like to know if Singapore Air also turns around every Singaporean passenger who does not have a Visa or a biometric passport in Singapore now?

[Savage25]

I'd just like to know if Singapore Air also turns around every Singaporean passenger who does not have a Visa or a biometric passport in Singapore now?

Any airline will not allow boarding to a Singapore passport holder who doesn't satisfy the following requirements (yours are incomplete, btw) stated here:
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/vwp.html

[EWR]

Any airline will not allow boarding to a Singapore passport holder who doesn't satisfy the following requirements (yours are incomplete, btw) stated here:
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/vwp.html

So does that mean that Singapore Airlines still boards non-biometric passport holders for visa-less entry if the passport is issued and extended/renewed, say, before Oct 26, 2005? I just want a practical confirmation - cos reservations service told me EVERYONE needs to get a biometric passport for VWP participation now

[MovieMan]

So does that mean that Singapore Airlines still boards non-biometric passport holders for visa-less entry if the passport is issued and extended/renewed, say, before Oct 26, 2005? I just want a practical confirmation - cos reservations service told me EVERYONE needs to get a biometric passport for VWP participation now

Sounds to me like they are confusing biometric with machine-readable. A passport that was extended or renewed prior to Oct. 26, 2005 need only be machine readable, and doesn't require the chip or the digital photo. A newer passport would, however.

From the link above:

Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements.

[Savage25]

So does that mean that Singapore Airlines still boards non-biometric passport holders for visa-less entry if the passport is issued and extended/renewed, say, before Oct 26, 2005? I just want a practical confirmation - cos reservations service told me EVERYONE needs to get a biometric passport for VWP participation now

Yes, as MovieMan said above.

As another example, my passport was issued in Jan 2006, and while it is not a biometric passport, it is machine readable and has a digital photograph, so I am eligible for the VWP.

[EWR]

Yes, as MovieMan said above.

As another example, my passport was issued in Jan 2006, and while it is not a biometric passport, it is machine readable and has a digital photograph, so I am eligible for the VWP.

Thank you for all your replies. I was actually wondering if Singapore Airlines would turn away people if they simply do not have a biometric passport and/or a visa. I was told by the reservations woman that, yes, without a biometric passport (and without visa), SQ would just reject *everyone*. Is her information actually correct on the ground the last few days?

[MovieMan]

Thank you for all your replies. I was actually wondering if Singapore Airlines would turn away people if they simply do not have a biometric passport and/or a visa. I was told by the reservations woman that, yes, without a biometric passport (and without visa), SQ would just reject *everyone*. Is her information actually correct on the ground the last few days?

I don't have recent first-hand experience, but the information on the SQ website matches what is on the US embassy site.

Passports issued on or after October 26, 2006

New passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries must be e-Passports, which include an integrated computer chip capable of storing biographic information from the data page, a digitised photograph as well as other biometric information.

If your passport does not have this feature, you can still travel without a visa if it is a valid passport issued:

Before October 26, 2005, and is a valid, machine-readable passport or
Between October 26, 2005, and October 25, 2006, and is a valid, machine-readable passport with a digital photograph.

I highly doubt that SQ would be enforcing different rules in actuality.

[Savage25]

Thank you for all your replies. I was actually wondering if Singapore Airlines would turn away people if they simply do not have a biometric passport and/or a visa. I was told by the reservations woman that, yes, without a biometric passport (and without visa), SQ would just reject *everyone*. Is her information actually correct on the ground the last few days?

No. Not unless SQ wants hundreds of lawsuits (which, it being Singapore, will get settled quietly without ever getting to court).