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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.
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