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Q. What are the passport requirements for travel under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program?
• All passports for travel under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program must be machine-readable.
• Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before October 26, 2005, are accepted without further requirements.
• Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between October 26, 2005 and October 25, 2006, must have either a digital photograph integrated into the data page or an integrated chip containing information from the data page.
• Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended beginning October 26, 2006, must have an integrated electronic chip with information from the data page.

Q. What about children’s passports?
• German children’s passports, or Kinderreisepaesse, issued prior to October 26, 2006 are eligible for Visa Waiver Program travel provided they meet the passport requirements in the above paragraph.
• Children's passports issued on or after October 26, 2006 are not eligible for visa-free entry into the United States under the Visa Waiver program since they will not contain an integrated electronic chip.
• Children’s ID cards, or Kinderausweise, are not acceptable for Visa Waiver Program travel.
• Children included in a parent’s passport cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Each child must have a visa or a valid, "biometric" Reisepass for travel to the U.S.

Q. Are German emergency and temporary passports valid for travel to the U.S?
As of May 1, 2006, German emergency and temporary passports are no longer valid for visa-free travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. Holders of these passports who intend to travel to or through the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa. For this reason, we recommend that Germans with urgent travel plans consider applying for an "Expresspass," which is a normal, biometric German Reisepass, valid for visa-free travel, and normally issued within five working days.

Q. How long will it take to get a visa?
Visa appointments are generally available within a week in Germany, though wait times can be considerably longer during summer months. Please visit the Department of State's website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php for more information on visa wait times in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich.