The U.S. Government has started a "live test" of e-passparts containing biographic and biometric information.

Los Angeles Airport and Sydney Airport have been selected as the test sites. They will run from June 15 to September 15.

"This live test of e-Passports is an important step forward in a larger effort to enhance security and facilitate travel through international cooperation", said Jim Williams, Director of US-VISIT, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program.

The Australian and New Zealand governments are also taking part in the tests.

Operational impact of the new equipment and software to read and verify the information is to be tested.

Moves to biometric passports have largely been driven by a demand by the U.S. that all foreign visitors have to have biometric information embedded in passports.

Biometrics included in a chip provide a further means by which the identity of visitors may be verified, thus preventing entry by imposters and the use of fraudulent documents. Biometrics data provide border officials a critical tool in making admissibility decisions, thus enhancing border security.

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