News > DHS Announces Final Rule on Document Requirements for Land and Sea Travel.

DHS Announces Final Rule on Document Requirements for Land and Sea Travel.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that as of June 1, 2009, all travelers entering the United States from abroad via land and sea ports of entry will be required to present a passport or other secure document denoting citizenship and identity. This announcement finalizes the schedule for implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a program created to help U.S. Customs & Border Protection quickly and accurately identify potential threats to the United States and its citizens.

In addition, starting June 1, 2009, DHS will implement special rules allowing schools or other organized groups of U.S. and Canadian children ages 18 and under to enter the United States with proof of citizenship alone.

DHS also officially designated the Washington State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) as a WHTI-compliant document. Additional U.S. states and Canadian provinces will be approved to issue EDLs in the coming months.

Currently, acceptable forms of documentation when entering the United States include:

When entering by air:

• Passport 
• Alien registration card (Form I-551), for use by U.S. 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

When entering by land or sea: 

• Passport 
• Passport card, for use by U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda 
• Alien registration card (Form I-551), for use by U.S. 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 ID (e.g., driver’s license) plus proof of citizenship (birth or naturalization certificate)

Exceptions to the above-listed documentation rules include: 

• 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)

Pease contact your Hodgson Russ immigration professional for more information.