On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region or Bermuda are required to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Before these new rules went into effect, U.S. citizens only needed to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship.
AIR TRAVEL
As of January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region or Bermuda, by air, are required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
Now, as of June 1, 2009, the full requirements of the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" regarding land and sea travel are being implemented. U.S. citizens entering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region or Bermuda will be required to present one of the following travel documents:
- U.S. Passport
This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person's identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.
- U.S. Passport Card
This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.
- Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
Several states are issuing this driver's license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea.
- Trusted Traveler Program Cards
NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST enrollment cards can speed your entry into the U.S. and are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can be used at airports with a NEXUS kiosk.
Document Rules for Special Groups:
- Children
U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization card or citizenship card.
- Groups of Children
Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship.
- "Closed Loop" Cruises
Travelers in cruises that depart from a U.S. port, sail only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same port do not have to comply with the new rules.
- Other Special Groups
Members of the military, members of the merchant marine, and Native Americans can also use special forms of identification.
Passports in a hurry
Securing a passport usually take from 30 to 40 days. For a $60.00 fee--plus the cost of 2-way overnight mail--you can "expedite" this process and receive your passport in 7 to 10 days. If international departure is in less than 2 weeks, application is advised at:
Miami Passport Agency
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 S.W. First Avenue, 3rd Floor
Miami, FL 33130
To apply at the Miami Passport Agency, you must schedule an appointment by calling toll-free at 1-877-487-2778, 24 hours/day.
ABOUT THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (WHTI)
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. The initiative requires all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States. The countries covered by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region and Bermuda.
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