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June 8, 2007
IMPORTANT PASSPORT UPDATE AS OF 06/08/07
U.S.
CITIZENS WITH PENDING PASSPORT APPLICATIONS ALLOWED TEMPORARY TRAVEL FLEXIBILITY
WITHIN WESTERN HEMISPHERE
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Departments of
State and Homeland Security announced today that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada,
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports
can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with
a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof
of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government
is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing
times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security
and facilitate entry into the
United
States
for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel
took effect on January 23, 2007.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued
photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department
of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian
will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of application. Travelers who
have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated.
U.S.
citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at:
http://travel.state.gov.
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans
traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
IMPORTANT PASSPORT UPDATE AS OF 11/28/06
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) – Publication of the Air Final Rule
The Basics – What is WHTI, Whom Does it Affect and When Does it Go Into Effect?
The Air portion of The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require,
with some exceptions, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the British
Overseas Territory of Bermuda to present a passport to enter (or re-enter) the
United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere beginning
January 23, 2007.
Who will the travel initiative affect?
U.S. citizens will need a passport to enter the United States by air from Canada,
Mexico, Bermuda, South and Central America, and the Caribbean (otherwise known as
the Western Hemisphere).
Also under this rule, citizens of Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda will now have to have
a passport when entering the United States by air.
While United States citizens are currently required to have passports to enter most
countries in Central and South America, this rule makes clear that the passport
must be presented upon return to the United States as well.
When will the travel initiative be implemented?
The initiative will be implemented in two phases. The timeline is as follows:
- Phase 1: Beginning January 23, 2007, U.S. citizens and citizens of Canada, Mexico
and Bermuda traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U.S. passport
to enter (or re-enter) the U.S.
- Phase 2: As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), could
be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security in a forthcoming separate rule. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland
Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance
notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain acceptable documents for
land/sea entries.
How will U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) be affected by the passport
requirement?
LPRs will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551),
issued by DHS, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for
entry to the United States.
What if I am an LPR but my children are U.S. Citizens?
Children who are U.S. Citizens will need to obtain a passport even if their parents
are Green Card holders.
What do I need to travel to Canada or Mexico?
Different countries may have different travel document requirements. It is best
to check with
to determine the appropriate travel document requirements (for instance, whether
you need a passport and/or visa).
I am a Mexican citizen and have a valid Border Crossing Card (BCC). Will
I be required to also present a passport to travel to the United States by air?
Yes. Under this final rule, Mexican citizens, just like U.S., Canadian and Bermudan
citizens, will be required to present a passport for air travel.The BCC, while currently
serving in lieu of a passport and visa for land border crossings within the border
region, may also be used as a visitor's visa.However, due to the unique circumstances
of air travel, it was felt that the additional presentation of a passport was necessary.
What happens to persons who attempt to enter or re-enter the country without
a passport or an alternative travel document?
For the general public, people who apply for entry but do not have appropriate documentation
will likely be referred for secondary screening at the port. In secondary, Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) officers will evaluate any evidence of citizenship or
identity the individual may have and will verify all information against available
databases. For foreign nationals, a determination will be made at that time whether
to admit the individual or not. However, to prevent delay at the ports of entry,
we would encourage all travelers to obtain the appropriate documents before they
travel.
In addition, the State Department has processes to assist U.S. citizens overseas
to obtain emergency travel documentation for those with lost or stolen passports.
Originally, the proposed date of implementation for the air and sea phase
was January 1, 2007. Why the change? Why was the sea requirement postponed?
After examining the possible impact on national security from the delay, the Departments
of Homeland Security and State proposed an early 2007 implementation in response
to comments from the airline industry to facilitate holiday travel. Based on the
recently issued Department of State proposal to allow the use of the Passport Card
in the sea environment, Congress' intent with respect to the land and sea environments
as expressed in the 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, and the public comments
we received, we have decided to defer decisions on the proposed changes to documentation
requirements for arrivals by sea.
Other than a passport, what types of documents will be acceptable under this
initiative for air travel?
Individuals traveling by air within the Western Hemisphere will be required to present
a passport for admission to the U.S. with limited exceptions.
This Final Rule outlines two additional documents that will be acceptable for air
travel. The first is the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) or "Z-card" issued by the
U.S. Coast Guard that will be acceptable for use under WHTI by U.S. citizen merchant
mariners traveling on official business. The other document is the NEXUS Air card,
for which enrollment is limited to citizens of Canada and the United States, lawful
permanent residents of the United States and permanent residents of Canada.
Can the NEXUS Air card be used at any air location?
NEXUS Air cards will only be accepted in conjunction with the NEXUS program at designated
NEXUS sites.
How will members of the U.S. armed forces be affected by the passport requirement?
There are no changes proposed for members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on
active duty.
Currently, an individual traveling as a member of the United States armed forces
on active duty is not required to present a valid passport to enter or depart the
United States . There are no changes under the air rule for members of the U.S.
armed forces. Any future changes, if necessary, will be addressed during the second
phase of the WHTI rulemaking process.
This does not apply to spouses and dependents of these military members. Spouses
and dependents will be required to present a passport (and valid visa, if applicable)
when traveling into the United States under WHTI.
Will travelers from U.S. territories need to present a passport to enter
the United States ?
No. These territories are a part of the United States . U.S. citizens returning
directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory
and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Do the documentation requirements apply to children?
Yes, children will be required to present their own passport when entering the United
States at airports.
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