The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said that new passport security data requirements for entry to the United States would be accepted before the October deadline.

A media report quoting US Department of Homeland Security officials suggested several so-called waiver countries were likely to miss the October 26 deadline to include extra security data on passports.

Reuters quoted departmental officials as saying the majority of the 27 countries - most of which are European but also include Japan and Australia - were unlikely to meet the deadline for the inclusion of biometric features, such as digital photographs or fingerprints, in all new passports.

A DFAT spokeswoman said Australian authorities such as DFAT and Customs have been working on the newly required facial biometrics feature.

At News.com.au

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