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New Re-Entry Requirements as of June 1, 2009
It's time now to make sure your documents comply with the tightened requirements that focus on re-entry by land or sea from countries participating in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) program (Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, and Mexico).
To enter those countries and cross the border back to the United States you will need either:
- A U.S. passport—the traditional, all-purpose document for international travel.
- A passport card—the new credit-card-size ID, valid for travel to/from only countries in the WHTI program. It is issued by the U.S. State Department; it's a less expensive alternative for travelers interested mainly on cross-border travel by car or foot.
- An enhanced driver's license (EDL)—the updated, high-tech version of a conventional driver's license that requires proof of citizenship as a condition of issue. For now only Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Washington issue them.
- An ID from one of the Trusted Traveler Programs (NEXUS, SENTRI, AND FAST).
This rule has two prominent exceptions:
Children under age 18 without the documents required for adults will be able to enter or return from WHTI participating countries with any accepted proof of citizenship, including birth certificate (original or copy), or citizenship card.
Cruise ship passengers on closed loop itineraries (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) can enter or leave with a birth certificate or government-issued photo ID. (You may, however, need a U.S. passport to debark at some ports.)
For more information on travel requirements please visit getyouhome.gov.
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