Passport Requirements
As of January 8, 2007, passports will be required for all U.S. citizens
traveling to or from the United States via air or sea, to or from
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
As of January 1, 2008,
passports will be required for all U.S. citizens traveling to or from
the United States via land as well as air or sea, regardless of
destination.
Children who are U.S. Citizens will need to obtain a passport even if
their parents are Green Card holders.
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.
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.
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.
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.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
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
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.
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.
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.
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