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Traveling to Canada
Traveling to CANADA from the U.S. - Passport Information
 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.
Travel documents for U.S. citizens entering Canada
Enhanced Driver’s License
Download an
overview
of this passport info
Call Toll Free: 1-888-938-9998 (Canada and the United States),
Toll Free: 1-800-1-938-6263 (UK, Hong Kong, Australia) or
604-938-6263 (Whistler) to book your Whistler Vacation.
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