March 18, 2009
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds U.S. and Canadian travelers that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect at land and sea ports of entry on June 1, 2009. From that date, travelers will be required to present an approved travel document to enter the U.S. Please note that these requirements are in addition to whatever other travel documents may be required for entry, such as a valid visa, a Reentry Permit, Advance Parole, Refugee Travel Document, or Permanent Resident Card.
Approved documents for entry include:
- U.S. or Canadian passports;
- Trusted Traveler Card (SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST);
- U.S. Passport Card;
- State or province-issued Enhanced Driver's License;
- Form I-872 American Indian Card, or enhanced tribal cards;
- Military identification cards; and
- U.S. Merchant Marine Document.
Travelers under 16 years of age need only present a Birth Certificate or alternative proof of citizenship. Travelers are advised to obtain these documents well in advance of June 1, 2009.
NEXUS is a joint CBP-Canada Border Services Agency program implemented to simplify the entry process and enhance border security. SENTRI is a land-border crossing program providing expedited CBP processing for pre-approved travelers along the U.S./Mexico border. FAST is available to commercial drivers crossing the northern and southern borders.
