U.S. Travel Accomodation Announced
June 13, 2007
Kitchener, ON
From:
http://www.kwfastball.com/
From the U.S. State Department
Travel Accomodation Announced June 8, 2007
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or
countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can
re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or
countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure.
Entry requirements for countries are self-determined. We are reaching out to the governments of countries affected by WHTI to consult with them about our announcement. We hope they also will be able to take a flexible approach. We will communicate the results of our consultations with the airlines to facilitate boarding. Please check this page for updated information.
U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or
countries in the Caribbean region who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air by presentation of a government issued photo identification and
Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with or without their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application status. This accommodation applies to all American citizens who apply for passports, until September 30, when this accommodation period ends. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
How does this affect me?
- Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air who HAS APPLIED for a passport but has not received it yet?
- Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
- Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.
- Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have NOT APPLIED for a passport yet, or, you HAVE NOT APPLIED TO RENEW an expired passport yet?
- If so, access the Passport Page to apply for a new passport or to renew an old passport
- Once your application is in process with the U.S. Department of State (which could take up to 7 to 10 days to track online), you should:
- Go to Checking the Status of Your Application and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Keep this status page with you during your entire trip for both exit from the U.S. and re-entry to the U.S.
- Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
- Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.
- If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed,
- Please go to U.S. Passport Application Status to check the status of your application. The online status check will verify that the application is in process, and will update to confirm when the completed passport has been mailed.
- If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed and trip departure date is within two weeks, please e-mail the National Passport Information Center.
