Embassy of the United States Paramaribo, Suriname

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Beginning January 23, 2007, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda will be required to present a passport to enter (or re-enter) the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These new travel document requirements constitute the Department’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). 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 by air to the United States as well.

Under this rule, citizens of the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda will now have to have a passport when entering the United States by air. 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. This requirement will be established in a forthcoming rule.

What does this mean for you?

Take a few moments to look at your family’s passports and ensure that they are still valid. Should you need to return to the U.S. on short notice, you will need a valid (not expired) U.S. passport for each traveller. If your passports are nearing their expiration dates, be sure to apply for new passports, allowing enough time for the processing. When you apply for a new passport at the U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo, it takes us about 3 weeks to get your new passport back from the U.S. Please check the passport section of this website for specific information about what you need to bring with you when you apply.  You can also contact the consular section at the U.S. Embassy for specific information +597 472-900 ext 2236.