NEW U.S. TRAVEL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS:
The U.S. Department of State has initiated new Travel Document Requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Following is an excerpt of the new requirements:
"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers.
"In the proposed implementation plan, the initiative will be implemented in two phases. The proposed timeline will be as follows:
"January 23, 2007 – Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel, and most commercial sea travel, from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is a change from the previously scheduled date of January 1, in order to accommodate holiday travel.
"January 1, 2008 – The statutory deadline for all Western Hemisphere travel, including land border travel. The specific requirements for the land border crossing will be addressed in a separate rulemaking in advance of this date."
Visit the U.S. Department of State's website for more information.
