The U.S. DEPARTMENT of HOMELAND SECURITY reminded international travelers today that beginning Jan. 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will implement new US-VISIT procedures that require additional non-U.S. citizens to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States.

Effective Jan. 18, 2009, the following additional non-U.S. citizens will be required to provide biometrics when entering or re-entering the United States by air, sea or during secondary inspection at a land port of entry:

• Lawful permanent residents of the United States
• Persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas
• Persons entering the United States who seek admission as refugees and asylees
• Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) upon entry or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States (this excludes most Canadian citizens entering the United States for purposes of shopping, visiting friends and family, vacation or short business trips)
• Persons paroled into the United States
• Persons applying for admission under the Guam Visa Waiver Program.

Collection and verification of biometric identifiers upon entry protects travelers by making it virtually impossible for anyone else to attempt to use their biometrically linked travel documents (such as a permanent resident card), if their documents are stolen.