Passports

B.C. tourism officials are bracing for Jan. 23, when a new U.S. law takes effect requiring people travelling by air to have a passport to enter the U.S.

Tourism Vancouver president Rick Antonson said there are concerns the law will deter many short-term U.S. visitors because most of them don't have the passports they would need to get home again.

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Under the general rule, a foreign national must present a passport, when entering the U.S., which is valid for at least six months beyond the date the individual intends to depart the U.S. However, the U.S. has agreements with certain countries which exempts the citizens of those countries from this rule. Citizens of these exempt countries must still present a valid passport when entering the U.S.

The U.S. State Department further advises citizens of exempt countries:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a set of FAQs on the air portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which goes into effect beginning January 23, 2007, and applies to citizens of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. After that date, those citizens who are traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport to enter the U.S. The FAQs appear below.

The Departments of State and Homeland Security have announced that beginning on January 23, 2007, it will be required "for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere". The Press Release appears below.

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Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 22, 2006