What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have historically been exempt from passport requirements, to present a passport or other approved document that establishes the bearers identity and citizenship in order to enter or re-enter the United States. WHTI is designed to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international visitors while minimizing the social and commercial impacts on international travelers and U.S. citizens, particularly residents living along the border.
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 or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality 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.
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 or other accepted document that establishes the bearers identity and nationality 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. In the proposed implementation plan, the proposed timeline will be as follows: December 31, 2006 Passport Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. December 31, 2007 Passport Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
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 or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality 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.
