New documentation requirements for travel to the United States

Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant documents are required to enter the United States by air from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Passports are not yet required to enter the United States by land or sea, but they may be required as early as June 2009. The formal implementation date will be announced with at least 60 days notice.

Documentation that is required or may simplify the process when entering the United States includes:

Acceptable forms of documentation (when entering by air):
• Passport
• Alien Registration Card (Form I-551): for use by permanent residents only
• Trusted traveler program card (NEXUS)
• Merchant Mariner Document (“z-card”): for use by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business only

Acceptable forms of documentation (when entering by land or sea):
• Passport
• Passport Card -- for use by U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.
• Alien Registration Card (Form I-551)—for use by permanent residents only
• Trusted traveler program card (NEXUS)
• Merchant Mariner Document (“z-card”)—for use by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business only
• Government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license), plus proof of citizenship (birth or naturalization certificate).

Exceptions to the above-listed documentation rules:
• U.S military traveling on orders—members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty are not required to present a valid passport to enter or depart the United States. Spouses and children are not subject to this exception.
• Children age 18 and younger, crossing by land or sea—only proof of citizenship required (birth or naturalization certificate).

Information about NEXUS:
• NEXUS provides expedited border processing when entering the U.S. and Canada for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Only citizens and permanent residents/landed immigrants from the U.S. and Canada may apply, which can be done online. Applicants must appear at an interview before being issued final approval. Not all border crossing locations allow travelers to enter using NEXUS cards. A list of locations where NEXUS cards may be used can be found on the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml.