'New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and'

New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and

Rick Chapo () -

Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement. Essentially, you must have a passport if you wish to enter the United States, even if you are a U.S. citizen.

When It Goes Into Effect

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2005 - Passport required for all travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

December 31, 2006 - Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

December 31, 2007 - Passport required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

How Do I get a passport?

U.S. citizens may visit the Passport section of the State Department web site [state.gov] for information on how to apply for a U.S. passport. You should allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to apply and receive your passport in advance of travel. Current processing time estimates are 6 to 8 weeks.

In Closing

As the world becomes a more dangerous place, borders are being tightened. How depressing.

About the Author

Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - Preserve the experience with writing journals for your travels. Read more articles and travelogues on http://NomadJournalTrips.com.

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Comment #1 endora (24.45.126.104) -

I never heard a word about this? Are you sure i need a passport now to visit the Caribbean? Wow!

Comment #2 Lance (152.163.39.211) -

This is straight from the U.S. Derpartment of State Web Page: Click on the click to read it all.

It is said because it will significantly impact the economics of the caribbean countries in a negative manner... and won't do a hooting bit of good to stop terrorists.

New Requirements for Travelers

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

• New Requirements for Travelers

Comment #3 tater03 (12.168.211.47) -

I agree with you that it is depressing. But something does need to be done about our borders. The way I look at it, this is our country and we should no who is coming and going. It only makes sense to me. Just my two sense on the issue.

Comment #4 Jim (152.163.36.49) -

Let's try an avoid an "immigration" debate here... however, these rules affect AMERICANS that HOLD AMERICAN Birth Certificates. So the passport rule isn't impacting NON-americans and their access to our borders. It is strictly impacting on Americans ease of travel.

When the U.S. starting requiring intranist Visa for people just passing through an airport, some other countries took notice and Americans now require a visa to travel to Brazil (on the same terms as a U.S. Visa -- you pay $100 whether you get the visa or not. Most others than need a visa to visit Brazil pay $10 or $20 ONLY IF the visa is issued). Chile apparently has a $100 fee for Americans now too.

Before people from Brazil could travel to Europe with a stop in Miami or New York without a visa (and they were in a secure area so they could not possibly cross the border and stay or even visit America). Now, they all need to spend $100 and submit a bunch of paperwork. To the financial benefit of Air Canada, many fly via Toronto instead.

There are many things that can be done about borders without impacting normal people's travel.

Comment #5 Lily (72.155.147.225) -

It doesn't seem like a big problem for me. I have always kept my passport and other information up to date. It doesn't make the wait any longer than it already is. I don't mind the extra security.

Comment #6 John (152.163.38.147) -

U.S. Passports Issued per Fiscal Year (1996 - present) Note: As of 1996, passport statistics are tabulated for the fiscal year.

1996 - 5,547,693

1997 - 6,295,003

1998 - 6,539,864

1999 - 6,722,198

2000 - 7,292,182

2001 - 7,119,506

2002 - 7,001,482

2003 - 7,300,667

2004 - 8,825,410

2005 - 10,123,424

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

• Passports

Comment #7 raven from somewhere -

It is annoying when we are in a rush but I would rather be safe than sorry. I just worry about how much worse it could get. Thanks for the info on the requirements.

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