HardieBoys
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- Sep 28, 2003
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Excerpted from the Sydney Morning Herald website, Saturday 3rd April:
"Australia is to seek clarification from the United States over reports that it will now require all visiting Australians to be photographed and fingerprinted.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Australia travel advisories had warned that this could happen.
"We will be seeking clarification on those arrangements. If there is any change to what we have in our travel advice, then we will update that accordingly," she said.
"These sort of entry and visa requirements are the prerogative of the host government. We tell people travelling, whether it's to the US or elsewhere, to check with the local embassy or consulate for visa and entry arrangements."
Reports from the US indicate it is expanding its requirements for photographing and fingerprinting of visitors to include even those from close allies.
The move affects citizens in 27 countries - including Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Japan - who had been allowed to travel within the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.
Under changes that will take effect by September 30, they will be fingerprinted and photographed when they enter through any of 115 international airports and 14 seaports."
"Australia is to seek clarification from the United States over reports that it will now require all visiting Australians to be photographed and fingerprinted.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Australia travel advisories had warned that this could happen.
"We will be seeking clarification on those arrangements. If there is any change to what we have in our travel advice, then we will update that accordingly," she said.
"These sort of entry and visa requirements are the prerogative of the host government. We tell people travelling, whether it's to the US or elsewhere, to check with the local embassy or consulate for visa and entry arrangements."
Reports from the US indicate it is expanding its requirements for photographing and fingerprinting of visitors to include even those from close allies.
The move affects citizens in 27 countries - including Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Japan - who had been allowed to travel within the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.
Under changes that will take effect by September 30, they will be fingerprinted and photographed when they enter through any of 115 international airports and 14 seaports."