Documentation requirements for US Citizens reentering the US including the WHTI amendments

[Ned]

On Friday, October 13, 2006, the US State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs finally posted the new documentation requirements for US Citizens reentering the US from destinations in the Western Hemisphere. The following are the new rules as posted on the US State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs website (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html) as of October 13, 2006 (A US Passport is always permitted as reentry documentation, as well as SENTRI when applicable, NEXUS when applicable, FAST when applicable, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, in lieu of a US Passport): Enter the US by Land from Canada or Mexico: Government Issued photo ID (State Driver's Licence or State Non-Driver's ID) plus Birth Certificate or FAST when applicable, required.
Enter the US by Ferry from Canada: Government photo Issued ID (State Driver's Licence or State Non-Driver's ID) plus Birth Certificate required.
Enter the US by Ship from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda: Government photo Issued ID (State Driver's Licence or State Non-Driver's ID) plus Birth Certificate required.
Enter the US by Air or Sea from anywhere other than Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda: Passport Required.
Starting January 8, 2007, enter the US by Air from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda: US Passport, Air NEXUS card when applicable, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document required.
Starting January 1, 2008, enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by Land or Sea (including ferries): US Passport, SENTRI when applicable, FAST when applicable, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document required or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
According to the US Department of State, while the new law may permit a June 1, 2009 deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline of January 1, 2008. They are attempting to devise an alternate document for reentry to the US from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries). Apparently, the document which they hope to finalize to be used in lieu of a US Passport is the "Passport Card" otherwise known as the "Pass Card." SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, when applicable, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document will continue to be accepted in lieu of a US Passport. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.
In the above instances where a Government Issued photo ID (State Driver's Licence or State Non-Driver's ID) plus Birth Certificate is required, this requirement is for native born US Citizens only. Naturalized US Citizens need to substitute their Naturalization Certificate for the birth certificate.
The FAST card is for commercial truck drivers only, reentering the US from Canada.
The Air NEXUS card is only valid for Air travel between the US and Canada and is currently available for use only through Vancouver International Airport, at this time. The Air NEXUS card costs $50 per year.
SENTRI is only valid for land entry to the US from Mexico. It is available only for entry from Otay Mesa, California, El Paso, TX., Laredo, TX, McAllen, TX, Brownsville, TX, San Ysidro, CA., and Nogales, AZ. SENTRI costs $129 per person and $42 per vehicle. The annual renewal fee is $80.
It is my personal opinion, that if you plan to travel outside this country, other than to Canada or Mexico via land, that you get a passport, and get it now. Frankly, even if you don't plan to reenter the country by air, I would caution you to get a passport.

Here's a couple clear examples of why any US Citizen traveling outside the US after January 8, 2007 shouldn't leave home without their US Passport. If you're on a cruise, and need to be flown home for medical reasons, you will need a passport, except if you have a NEXUS card and are flying through Vancouver, or have a Merchant Mariner Document. You don't have to be old to possibly fly home due to a medical cause. Anyone can be in a serious accident requiring major surgery and transport home by air to the US. My other example, is if your cruise ship becomes disabled, as we have seen happen in the last few years, the cruise line may fly you back to the US. In both of these examples, after January 8, 2007, you will need your US Passport, Air NEXUS card (valid only when flying through Vancouver), or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document to reenter the country. The point of these examples is that you may have no intention of reentering the US by air, but circumstances may demand it. While the extenuating circumstances of these examples will undoubtedly allow you back in the US, there will probably be a significant delay when you try to reenter, a great deal of angst, possibly serious attorney fees, and a very large fine.

If you have a passport, you have the ultimate travel citizenship ID, and need not worry about identification to reenter the US from any country in the world, via any mode of transportation.

[Ned]

You knew it was going to happen. The only question was when. There is a call for Congress to delay the passport requirement for US Citizens reentering the US by air from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, just like they delayed the requirement for land, sea and ferry reentry.

Time will tell if the lobbying will work considering that Congress specifically chose to not delay the rules for air travel from these countries in their recently passed legislation.

The WTTC is claiming that the Caribbean region could lose $2.6 billion in the next year unless Congress changes their mind. Frankly I don't believe it. I don't think that anyone is going to cancel or postpone a trip costing typically more than $600 to $2,000 (a few days to a two week vacation) over a $97 passport which they will need for their next vacation, and all subsequent similar vacations for the next 10 years. It's part of the cost of the vacation. This is a significantly different than driving across the river from Detroit to Windsor.

The article does have a mistake. President Bush signed the bill into law on October 4, 2006 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Originally posted by Travel Weekly by Michael Milligan - October 16 2006
WTTC urges Congress to delay passport rule for air passengers

The World Travel & Tourism Council has joined several Caribbean tourism groups in urging the U.S. Congress to delay implementation of new passport requirements included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law requiring U.S. travelers to have passports in order to re-enter the U.S from abroad.

In September, Congress approved a Homeland Security bill that would delay implementation until June 1, 2009 the requirement for passports for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda.

However, the bill's language omitted airline passengers, thus requiring passports for all air travelers in the Western Hemisphere beginning Jan. 8.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law.

The travel industry has generally contended that most airline passengers have passports, compared to cruise passengers and others traveling by land to and from Canada or Mexico.

Nevertheless, there are concerns that Caribbean destinations in particular will be negatively impacted by the new passport requirement...

...According to the joint CHA-WTTC report, the Caribbean region could lose $2.6 billion in visitor exports and more than 188,300 travel and tourism jobs as travelers without passports cancel or postpone trips due to the WHTI passport requirement... Go to WTTC urges Congress to delay passport rule for air passengers (http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=53460) to read the entire article.

[Travel Weekly requires free registration to read their entire articles.]

[jfrenaye]

OK so now in the simplest terms........

NOW--Land, ferry, ship, air from Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Photo ID and BC or Passpoort

JAN 2007--Air from Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Passport. (Cruise, land, ferry still ok with Photo ID and BC)

JAN 2008--Land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Passport (this effectively ends the use of a Photo ID and BC)

All entry from other nations, require passport now and will continue to do so.

Boy can the gov't muck up a simple plan?

[mtp51]

Ned - you are exactly right. People just need to buy a frickin' passport. As we have said numerous times, $97 is no biggie: $9.70 per year. Nuff said!

[wrp96]

And it gets even more confusing if you are going on a cruise.

Some cruiselines are keeping the January 8, 2007 date as a requirement for passports. As of last night Royal Caribbean was requiring passports for any cruise that left after December 31st, 2006 even if it got back before January 8, 2007.

Some itineraries that previously didn't require passports are now requiring them due to new entry requirements by the islands that are being visited. For example, it is being reported that the Grand Princess out of Galveston is requiring passports for sailings this November.

If you are on an Alaskan cruise, if you fly into or out of Vancouver you will need a passport but if you fly into Seattle you won't. This means if you go with the cruise air option, they will either have to fly you into Seattle and bus you up to Vancouver or you will be required to get a passport.

If you miss the ship, the only way you will be able to catch up with the ship is if you have a passport.

If you have to come home mid-cruise, the only way you will be able to get home is with a passport. This may be part of the reason the cruiselines are going to require passports no matter what. Since if they kick you off the ship mid-cruise, whether it be their fault or yours, you have to be able to get home.

[jfrenaye]

I have an AK group on CCL in July07 and they are requiring Passports as well. Just booked it yesterday.

[deangreenhoe]

People just need to buy a frickin' passport.[/b]

Yup, that's what I'm putting on all of my sales materials. Verbatim. :lol:

And if anyone initiates a discussion about getting around the rules for their specific case in the short term, I'm just going to beat them about the head and face with a rolled up brochure. B)

[tdew]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(deangreenhoe @ Oct 16 2006, 04:56 PM) 39903</div>
Yup, that's what I'm putting on all of my sales materials. Verbatim. :lol:

And if anyone initiates a discussion about getting around the rules for their specific case in the short term, I'm just going to beat them about the head and face with a rolled up brochure. B)
[/b]
It would sure convince me!

[deangreenhoe]

It would sure convince me!
[/b]

And sort of explains why it's a good idea I closed my office that was open to the public. B)

[weblet]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(deangreenhoe @ Oct 16 2006, 05:59 PM) 39915</div>
And sort of explains why it's a good idea I closed my office that was open to the public. B)
[/b]

And why Deano only deals with road warriors who already have a passport. He doesn't want to get sued for assault and battery.

[bodega]

If you have to come home mid-cruise, the only way you will be able to get home is with a passport.
________________________________________________

BTW, unless you are on a stretcher or asked to leave the cruise, you can not take your luggage and get off midcruise. The cruise lines will get fined, so they do not take kindly to passengers leaving B)

If you are lucky enough to be able to travel, you can afford a passport. I think most of my clients have finally heard my speech enough and they are all set. Heck, you never know when you might win that trip of a lifetime at Rotary's Suitcase Night and have to depart for the airport that evening! Follow the Boy Scout motto and BE PREPARED.

[tdew]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bodega @ Oct 17 2006, 11:34 PM) 40086</div>
you might win that trip of a lifetime at Rotary's Suitcase Night and have to depart for the airport that evening! [/b]

Do they really do that? It would certainly be exciting, but probably difficult for most of us.

[Eileen Sellers]

So does this mean that green card holders will also have to have a valid passport from their country of origin to re-enter the country?

[BYOFT]

Hi, Eileen,

You made me curious, so I looked this up on the State Dept web site:

Q. Is a person with a U.S. "green card" considered a foreign national?

A. Yes. Lawful permanent resident aliens, who have a resident alien registration card (BCIS Form I-551), commonly known as a "green card," retain their foreign nationality and must be considered "foreign nationals" for the purposes of consular notification.[/b]

Inconclusive.

So then I found this page:

Mexican and Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker
How Can Professionals from Mexico and Canada Work in the United States?

Professionals of Canada or Mexico may work in the U.S. under the following conditions:

Applicant is a citizen of Canada or Mexico;
Profession is on the NAFTA list;
Position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA professional;
Mexican or Canadian applicant is to work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job, for a U.S. employer (see documentation required). Self employment is not permitted;
Professional Canadian or Mexican citizen has the qualifications of the profession
The requirements for applying for citizens of Canada and Mexico, shown below, are different.



Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa as a NAFTA Professional, although a visa can be issued to qualified TN visa applicants upon request. However, a Canadian residing in another country with a non-Canadian spouse and children would need a visa to enable the spouse and children to be able to apply for a visa to accompany or join the NAFTA Professional, as a TD visa holder. To apply for visa, please see the requirements under the section Mexican Citizens- Applying for a TN Visa- Required Documentation.

A Canadian citizen without a TN visa can apply at a U.S. port of entry with all of the following:

Request for admission under TN status to Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration officer;
Employment Letter - Evidence of professional employment. See Employment Letter below;
Proof of professional qualifications, such as transcripts of grades, licenses, certificates, degrees, and/or records of previous employment;
Proof of ability to meet applicable license requirements;
Proof of Canadian citizenship- Canadian citizens may present a passport, as visas are not required, or they may provide secondary evidence, such as a birth certificate. However, Canadian citizens traveling to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere are required to present a valid passport at the port-of-entry;
Fee of U.S. $50 [/b]

Still inconclusive.

So, I've spent a half an hour reading the official websites, and can't find anything pertaining to passport requirements for green card holders.

Interesting question, Eileen.

Can anybody else supply the answer?

[bodega]

A green-card holder is still a citizen of their country. A green-card gives them permission by the US Government to live in our country and I also believe it gives them permission to work here. They have to renew it, so if they are not being good guests, they could be kicked out. The first agency I worked with was owned by an Aussie and a Swede, with the Aussie never wanting to become a US Citizen, so she had a green-card and her Aussie passport.

[Happyjournalist]

International Travel
A Permanent Resident of the United States can travel freely outside of the US. A passport from the country of citizenship is normally all that is needed. To reenter the US a Permanent Resident normally needs to present the green card (Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) for readmission. A reentry permit is needed for reentry for trips greater than one year but less than two years in duration

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/PermRes.htm#travel

My personal experience: I always get my passport stamped in my way back to the US. The Customs officer request my green card and stamps my passport with the date of reentry. (BTW all those stamps are really useful to keep the record of international travel dates, they request that specific information on the aplication for citizenship)

Hope this helps!

[amybhole]

My husband is a resident alien, so he carries that card. But I'm flipping through his passport as we speak, and he has stamps for all his re-entries into the US.

The green card/RA card lets you back into the US with no (or, more accurately, fewer) hassles about how long you're staying, why you're here, how you plan to support yourself, etc. But, since the holder is not a citizen, they still must provide that proof of citizenship i.e. passport.

P.S. I'm noticing that people like my husband have some funny stamps in their passports. His latest one notes that he has been "paroled indefinitely". Think maybe there's something he's not telling me? :unsure: