'Keep your biometric passports' US to tell UK

The US looks set to ditch its demands that all UK citizens wishing to travel to the US must have biometric passports by this October.

According to a report in the Financial Times, US and European officials have said the plans are set to be shelved in order to prevent disruption in transatlantic travel and to prevent travellers being put off visiting the US as a result.

European justice commissioner Franco Frattini recently warned the US the mandate's deadline, which covers countries within the European Union, is unlikely to be met.

Only six EU countries - Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden - look set to be ready in October and the EU has been calling for a 12 month extension to the deadline.

Despite the legislation requiring biometric passports entering the US' statute books in 2002, the UK recently revealed it expected to be able to introduce the 'ePassport' in the first quarter of next year.

The FT also reports the US is gearing up for a policy shift that will mean countries with passports using digital photos will be allowed to enter the country without a wavier, whereas those with laminated printed photos, such as France and Italy, would have to apply for a visa to visit the country.