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Traveling to CANADA from the U.S.

Passport Information for U.S. Visitors

Notification: Changes coming soon for travel into the U.S. from Canada - the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (posted April 22, 2009)

When: The Final Phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) goes into effect on June 1, 2009.

Who is affected: Mainly U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States from Canada by land or water.

What they will need: U.S. and Canadian citizens must present a passport or a WHTI-compliant document, which are:

• Enhanced Drivers License
• U.S. Passport Card
• Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI)

Frequently asked questions for U.S. travellers: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has produced a question-and-answer sheet with detailed WHTI information, including how U.S. travellers can get the documents they need.

Download US Travellers WHIT Fact Sheet

Notification: Recent changes for U.S. visitors crossing the border (posted Jan 3, 2008)

Download an overview of this passport info

Given recent announcements made by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Congress and Washington State regarding travel document options for U.S. citizens entering and re-entering the U.S., Tourism Whistler would like to highlight a few key details that will be of interest to our Members and U.S. visitors:

• There have been no changes to requirements for U.S. visitors entering Canada; a passport is not currently required
• Proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate) and a government issued photo ID (e.g. driver's license) are required; a passport will also be accepted
• As of January 31, 2008 land and sea border crossings into the U.S. will end the routine practice of accepting oral declarations of citizenship
• Those entering or re-entering the U.S. by land and sea will be required to present either a passport or proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate) and a government-issued photo ID (e.g. driver's license)
• As of January 2008, Washington State residents will have the option of acquiring a new Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
• The EDL will be accepted by U.S. customs in lieu of a passport - for U.S. citizens entering or re-entering the U.S. via land or sea (a passport is still required for those entering or re-entering the U.S. by air)
• The EDL will be accepted along with proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate) by Canada customs in lieu of a passport - for U.S. citizens entering Canada via land, sea or air.
• Many other border states (including California, New York, Arizona, Michigan, Texas and Vermont) are also developing state-issued enhanced drivers licenses which will be recognized as proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when entering or re-entering the U.S. These new documents will comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
• Based on a recent vote by U.S. Congress, it appears that the U.S will delay - until at least June 2009 - the final implementation of requirements for passports (or WHTI-compliant travel documents) for all U.S. citizens entering or re-entering the U.S by land and sea. Until then, proof of citizenship and identity (e.g. EDL or birth certificate and traditional driver's license) will be accepted by U.S. customs for U.S. citizens entering or re-entering the U.S. by land and sea. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will announce - with at least 60 days notice - the precise date of the final implementation of WHTI requirements for land and sea crossings.

With the introduction of the new Enhanced Driver's License, U.S. visitors now have an expanded selection of WHTI-compliant documents, including:

• Passport - accepted at all entry points into the U.S. by air, land and sea
• NEXUS - accepted by vast majority of entry points into U.S. by air, land and sea (click here for more information)
• Enhanced Driver's License - available to Washington state residents beginning in January for entry by land and sea ONLY (click here for more information); other states are planning to introduce the EDL in coming months (click here for more information)

For your reference, attached is an overview document regarding Required Travel Documents for U.S. Visitors. Please note that the details compiled in this document have been acquired from several official information sources. However, for the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding travel document requirements for U.S. visitors please refer to the resources identified below:

Passport requirements for U.S. citizens entering U.S.

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
  www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm
• U.S. Department of State:
  travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Travel documents for U.S. citizens entering Canada

• Canadian Border Services Agency:
  http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

Enhanced Driver's License

• Washington State Department of Licensing:
  www.dol.wa.gov/about/news/priorities/quickfacts.pdf
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
  www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1196872524298.shtm

Download an overview of this passport info

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