CURRENT Passport Requirements

CURRENT PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.  This is a change from prior travel requirements.  The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. 

Who will the Travel Initiative affect?

The travel document initiative will affect all United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere, who will now be required to carry a passport. 

When will the Travel Initiative be implemented?

The Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines.   The proposed timeline will be as follows:

• January 23, 2007 – Requirement applied to all air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. 
   
• January 31, 2008 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air travel.
  
  
• June 1, 2009 - Requirement extended to all travel including sea travel.

How do I get a passport?

United States citizens can visit the State Department's travel website www.travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. 

You should allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to apply and receive your passport in advance of travel.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing of your passport application if you apply from inside the U.S.  If you need to travel urgently and require a passport sooner, please visit www.travel.state.gov for additional information. Overseas passport processing times vary; you should contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for specific information.

Peak domestic passport processing is between January and July.  For faster service, we recommend applying between August and December. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.

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06/01/2009