US Issues Final Rule on Land, Sea Entry (Passport)

The Homeland Security (DHS) and State departments announced yesterday the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requiring travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the US, effective June 1, 2009.

Air passengers already are required to present a WHTI-secure document on re-entry to the US. The rule announced today affects cruise passengers arriving at US ports, as well as those crossing the border from Canada and Mexico. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was enacted by Congress as part of its response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In addition to the release of the WHTI final rule, DHS is officially designating the Washington State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) as a WHTI-compliant document. DHS, in an announcement, said that it is publishing the WHTI land and sea final rule more than a year in advance of its implementation to give the public ample notice and time to obtain the WHTI-compliant documents.

In addition to a valid US passport, WHTI-compliant documents include a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST), or a Washington State EDL. These are used by residents of areas on the Canadian border who frequently travel between the countries.

The State Dept. is accepting applications for the new Passport Cards and additional states and Canadian provinces will be issuing EDLs in the next several months - all of which are options specifically designed for land and sea border use, according to the Homeland Security department.

Beginning June 1, 2009, DHS will institute special provisions that allow school or other organized groups of children ages 18 and under who are US or Canadian citizens to enter the US with proof of citizenship alone.

Since Jan. 1, US and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older have been asked to present proof of identity and citizenship at land border crossings and arrivals by sea. Children ages 18 and under are currently asked only to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category. (Note: it is still strongly urged for travelers to hold a current/valid passport in case of emergency situation that might make it necessary to debark in a foreign port)

*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State. All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document.

The good news for a majority of cruise passengers - American citizens that leave and return on their cruise from the same U.S. port - is that the travel document requirements will remain largely unchanged from how the industry is operating today.

CLIA continues to encourage travelers to obtain passports to allow the broadest travel opportunities.

Visit http://www.dhs.gov/ or http://www.travel.state.gov/.