Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Update
Posted Oct 27, 2006
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As part of a law passed in 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS), are required to establish a plan for requiring all persons entering the U.S. from abroad to have a passport or other document/s reflecting identity and citizenship. The proposed implementation of this law is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This law has raised controversy, in part due to the costs of obtaining U.S. passports for travel that previously did not carry that requirement.
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Initial Phase : Air Travel
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The timelines for the WHTI were pushed back, but the initial phase is scheduled to begin January 8, 2007. Under the implementation plan, as of that date all persons traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean or Bermuda will need valid passports, Air NEXUS cards, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Documents. This requirement extends to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens with travel plans on or after January 8, 2007, therefore, will need to make sure that they have the required documents. It is best to plan ahead, as there likely will be a last-minute rush. Information on the NEXUS card is available on the CBP WebSite. It should be noted that passports are preferred and that there is some question as to the acceptance of alternative documents.
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Second Phase : Land and/or Sea Travel
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The second phase is set to begin on January 1, 2008, but a later deadline is permitted, so this is subject to change. When effective, this will require all persons traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central or South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), to present a valid passport or other document/s permitted by DHS. Later announcements regarding the specifics are expected.
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Acceptable Documents : New PASS Card
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During this first phase, starting January 8, 2007, United States citizens will need to have U.S. passports (or the documents listed above) when traveling by air.
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There is currently a proposal for a document known as a PASS card. This credit card-sized document is under development. Public comments are accepted through December 18, 2006. The PASS card would be an alternative to the U.S. passport, to be used for travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. This essentially would be a passport in card form with limited use for travel and reentry from the designated countries. It would be a less expensive document to obtain, but would have passport requirements. Applications would be through the U.S. Postal Service and other designated passport acceptance facilities, as is the case with standard passports. Under the proposal, it would be possible to hold both a standard passport and a PASS card, but should not be necessary in most situations.
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Alternate Documents
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Under the proposed plan, it is anticipated that the NEXUS document referenced above will be acceptable, as well as the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) document, the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) document, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. It is also proposed that members of the U.S. armed forces on active duty traveling on orders be exempt from the passport requirement. Because there is, as yet, some uncertainty, it is best to check details prior to any travel.
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