The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation to enter or reenter the United States. The program will be rolled out in phases. The proposed timeline is as follows:

    •As of Jan. 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

    •As early as Jan. 1, 2008, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Travel documents for U.S. citizens

    Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

    •U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).

    •The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the United States. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.

    •DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

    Until this requirement is in effect as noted above, U.S. citizens are currently exempt from the requirement to show a passport unless they are returning to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia). However, it is recommended that you be prepared to present documentation such as valid U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or naturalization certificate to avoid delays.

    U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) must provide one of the following:

    •I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

    •Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa endorsed with a CBP Admission Stamp.

    •Temporary Residence Stamp (ADIT stamp) contained in a passport or on Form I-94.

    •Valid Reentry Permit.

    •Unexpired Immigrant Visa

    Visitors/Non-immigrants must provide:

    •Generally, a valid unexpired passport and visa. (However, certain people may require specific supporting documentation such as an employment petition, student authorization, or approval notice.)

    •Citizens of countries authorized to participate in the Visa Waiver Program are required to present an unexpired machine-readable passport.

    •Mexicans may provide a valid DSP-150 (BCC) in lieu of a valid passport and visa.

    •Generally, Canadian Nationals must show ID but are exempt from passport and visa requirements. However presentation of a Canadian passport, birth certificate, Naturalization certificate or other supporting documentation will facilitate the inspection and is strongly encouraged.

    •Nationals of countries authorized to participate in the Visa Waiver Program are required to present an unexpired passport.

    Due to recent changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status or applying for an immigrant visa (refugees and asylees). Upon return, these aliens may be found inadmissible, their applications may be denied, or both. It is important that the alien obtain the proper documentation before leaving the United States.

    Aliens who have pending applications for certain immigration benefits need Advance Parole to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.

    Aliens applying for advance parole on the basis of a pending application for adjustment of status must be approved for advance parole prior to leaving the United States in order to avoid the termination of their pending application for adjustment.

    Aliens in the United States should, prior to departure, obtain Advance Parole in order to re-enter the United States after travel abroad if they have:

    •Filed an application for adjustment of status but have not received a decision from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

    •Hold refugee or asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada.

    •An emergent personal or bona fide reason to travel temporarily abroad.

    Applicants who are the beneficiary of a private bill and applicants who are under deportation proceedings must file to the Department of Homeland Security, 425 I Street, NW, ATTN: Parole and Humanitarian Assistance Branch, Washington, DC 20536

    Aliens in the United States are not eligible for Advance Parole if they are:

    •In the United States illegally.

    •An exchange alien subject to the foreign residence requirement.

    Please note that Advance Parole does not guarantee admission into the United States. Aliens with Advance Parole are still subject to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection process at the port of entry.