Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: The Basics
About the Initiative
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re‑enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.
The travel document requirements make up the departments of State and Homeland Security’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
This travel initiative is being implemented in two phases. The first phase will be for air travel, and the second for land/sea travel.
Air Travel Requirements
U.S. citizens and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport to enter (or re-enter) the U.S.
Notice: Temporary Travel Flexibility for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can
nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air
with a government issued photo identification and Department of State
official proof of application for a passport through Sept. 30, 2007.
Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal
guardian will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of
application. More Information available at Travel.State.Gov.
This temporary accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. U.S. Citizens traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
Land/Sea Travel Requirements
As early as January 31, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security in a forthcoming separate rule.
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.
Passport Requirements
All citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are now required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport as of January 23, 2007 (with the exception of the temporary travel flexibility for U.S. citizens ). This includes:
- Children of any age, including children of Legal Permanent Residents who are United States citizens.
- Mexican citizens who have a Border Crossing Card (BCC) when
entering the United States by air. (The BCC is still valid in lieu of a
passport and visa for land border crossings within the border region.)
The BCC may be used as a visa.
Other Acceptable Documents
In some cases, other documents may be accepted when entering or re-entering the United States by air.
A limited number of travelers may present either:
- Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, Legal Permanent Residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by the Department of Homeland Security, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.
- Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) or “z-card” issued by the
U.S. Coast Guard that will be acceptable for use under WHTI by U.S.
citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business. - NEXUS Air card in conjunction with the NEXUS program at
designated NEXUS sites. The NEXUS program is limited to citizens of
Canada and the United States, lawful permanent residents of the United
States and permanent residents of Canada. See information on enrolling in the NEXUS program. - U.S. Military Traveling on Orders. There are no changes
proposed for members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on active duty.
Currently, an individual traveling as a member of the U.S. armed forces
on active duty is not required to present a valid passport to enter or
depart the United States. Note: Spouses and dependents of these
military members will be required to present a passport (and valid
visa, if applicable) when traveling into the United States under WHTI.
Traveling To and From U.S. Territories
U.S.
Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are
not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to
present a passport.
U.S. territories include:
-
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Swains Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Presenting Insufficient Documentation
For
the general public, people who apply for entry but do not have
appropriate documentation will likely be referred for secondary
screening at the port. In secondary, Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) officers will evaluate any evidence of citizenship or identity
the individual may have and will verify all information against
available databases.
For foreign nationals, a determination will be made at that time whether to admit the individual or not. However, to prevent delay at the ports of entry, we would encourage all travelers to obtain the appropriate documents before they travel.
In addition, the State Department has processes to assist U.S. citizens overseas to obtain emergency travel documentation for those with lost or stolen passports.
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