The U.S. Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") has proposed an implementation plan for a provision in The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 which requires travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a valid passport or other secure, accepted document to enter the United States. This provision is known as the “Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative” or WHTI.
The breadth of this provision merits special attention for all U.S. citizens. In addition, Canadian citizens who have historically used a Canadian birth certificate coupled with a photo identification document to enter the U.S. will need to obtain Canadian passports. All U.S. and Canadian citizens should be aware of the following dates:
- January 8, 2007 -- By this date, all U.S. citizens must possess U.S. passports to return to the United States via air or sea travel from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada. All Canadian citizens must possess Canadian passports to enter the U.S. by air or sea.
- January 1, 2008 -- By this date, all U.S. citizens must possess U.S. passports to return to the United States via land border crossings from Mexico and Canada. All Canadian citizens will need Canadian passports to enter the U.S. by land.
Our recommendation is that all United States and Canadian citizens who anticipate business or personal travel that will take them outside the United States on a trip that involves a return after January 8, 2007 -- and who do not already have valid passports -- should obtain passports now. Holders of U.S. and Canadian passports should check their passport expiration dates and apply for renewals if their passports will expire within the next six months.
For information about how to apply for a U.S. passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State athttp://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
For information about how to apply for a Canadian passport if you are a Canadian residing in the U.S., please visithttp://www.ppt.gc.ca/usa/index.aspx?lang=e
For more information about the WHTI, please visit the U.S. Department of State at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html