Reminder - New Documentation Requirements for U.S. & Canadian Citizens for Travel between U.S. & Canada by Land or Sea effective July 1, 2009

Beginning July 1, 2009, all U.S. and Canadian citizens will be required to present a passport or other document denoting both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea under the U.S. government's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Since January 2007, the WHTI requirements have already been implemented for travelers entering the U.S. by air.

Under WHTI, U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking admission to the U.S. must provide a WHTI travel-compliant document upon entry. The WHTI travel-compliant documents include U.S. or Canadian passports, Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST), U.S. Passport Cards, state or provincial-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, Form I-872 American Indian Cards, Military I.D. cards, or U.S. Merchant Mariner documents. Previously accepted documents, such as birth certificates will no longer be accepted as proof of citizenship under WHTI after July 1.

Please note, the document requirements for Mexican citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents are not affected by WHTI. Mexican nationals are currently required to present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or a laser visa Border Crossing Card and U.S. Permanent Residents may continue to present their permanent resident cards (Form I-551) to gain admission into the U.S.

Please share these new developments with your international and other world-wide employees. Please feel free to contact a member of Ice Miller's immigration group with any questions regarding how these changes may affect future travel for your employees or any other immigration-related needs.

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.