New Passport Guidelines

The Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect on January 8, 2007. If you are planning on traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean in 2007 and beyond you will need a passport to travel. Here are the roll out dates:

On January 8, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. Although a passport is not required for cruises in 2007 it is recommended that you have one. Getting a passport will make getting on and off the ship much quicker and will eliminate the possibility of U.S. Immigration officials not accepting your documentation.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

There will be a rush to get passports and the wait could be 10 - 14 weeks compared to 6-8 weeks now. We recommend that you start making plans to get a passport for your future travel. For more information you can visit the State Department website at:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

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