The United States said Friday it will extend fingerprinting requirements to foreigners entering the country without visas beginning this fall.

The current immigration policy requires foreign visitors to the United States to have their pictures and fingerprints taken upon entry into the country with the exception of some of the closest allies to the U.S.

However, beginning September 30th, visitors from 27 allied nations to the United States, including Japan, Great Britain, France, Germany and Australia will be exempt from U.S. entry visas but will be enforced to have their photographs and fingerprints taken.

Travelers from Canada and Mexico will be exempt from the list of countries subject to the new policy.

Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson said that the change "will add security by allowing them to check against their terrorist watch list travelers coming from visa-waiver countries.