A US requirement for visitors to be fingerprinted and photographed is being expanded to include citizens from America's closest allies and 'visa-waiver countries'.
The move will affect visitors from 27 countries, including the Ireland, Britain, Japan and Australia, whose nationals had been able to visit the US without a visa.
The change is due to take effect by 30 September.
It is reported, Washington decided to extend the programme, which is designed to fight terrorism, after determining that 'visa-waiver countries' will not meet an October deadline to introduce passports that include biometric data.
