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BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union on Wednesday told the U.S. Congress the bloc needed another year to implement new U.S. rules on secure biometric passports, which include a computer chip with data such as a digital photo of the passport holder.
EU justice and interior ministers had said last year they would meet this year's Oct. 26 deadline. But only six of the 25 EU countries — Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Sweden — will be ready to issue biometric passports by that date.
After Oct. 26, citizens from 27 visa-exempt countries will have to apply for a visa or have a biometric passport.
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