2007 Travel Alert – Passports Needed for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean Beginning January 23, 2007, the United States Government will require all travelers to the U.S. traveling by air to have a valid passport or other accepted official form of identification when entering/re-entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The regulation will go into effect on June 1, 2009 for those traveling by land or sea. The new requirements are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) which is one element of a much larger law, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have jurisdiction over implementation of the WHTI. See the State Department summary >> Avoid the rush – don’t wait to apply for your passport. If you need a passport, don’t risk a delay that could affect your 2007 travel plans. It’s easy to apply for a new passport or renew an old one – get details >> Note: United States citizens traveling between the U.S. and its territories, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will continue to be able to use established forms of identification (e.g., state issued driver's license) to board flights and for entry. Why get a passport now? How to get your passport The wait time – currently up to six weeks – could increase as the number of applications grows Now there is a “rush option” for an extra fee, but high volume could affect availability Gain travel flexibility ... the ability to visit countries worldwide First passport? Here’s how to apply >>   Find an office near you >>   Need to renew? See mail-in info >>   You can also call the U.S. National Passport Center at 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778).

Who does the new law affect? U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Panama Citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, who will need a passport for U.S. entry for the first time See details from the U.S. Department of State >>