New WHTI Passport Requirements

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) applies to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and seventeen regions within the Caribbean and, effective January 2007, already requires all persons traveling by air between the U.S. and these countries to present a passport or other valid travel document for entry into the United States. Acceptable WHTI-compliant travel documents include SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and U.S. Coast Card Mariner Document.

Effective January 31, 2008, the WHTI will require all U.S. and Canadian citizens to present a valid passport or other WHTI-compliant travel document to enter the United States at land or sea ports of entry. Under this phase of the WHTI, U.S. and Canadian citizens without passports or WHTI-compliant travel documents can also present a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship for entry. These new requirements for land and sea ports of entry is the second phase of the WHTI implementation.

The third phase, scheduled to go into effect during the summer of 2008, will require U.S. citizens to present a U.S. passport or one of the acceptable travel documents listed above for all travel to the United States, whether by air, land, or sea. While the January 31, 2008 phase will allow travelers to temporarily present other government-issued photo ID with proof of citizenship at land or sea ports of entry, under this third and final phase, this documentation will no longer be sufficient. Only valid passports or other WHTI-compliant documents may be presented for entry.

If you have questions about the WHTI or any document requirements for U.S. or foreign nationals, please contact Christl Glier or another Ice Miller immigration attorney.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.  The reader must consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader's specific circumstances.