What is the WHTI?

As of January 8, 2007, the United States' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travellers to present a passport or other appropriate secure document when entering or re-entering the United States by air or sea.

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.

What is a secure document?

Secure documents contain special security features and follow specific manufacturing and issuing processes. To safeguard against counterfeiting, these documents meet certain standards to help ensure they are not improperly acquired, issued, altered or used by impostors.

According to rules that the United States released in August 2006, the following documents are considered secure for entry into the United States from within the western hemisphere by air or sea:

• A valid passport;
• A valid U.S. Merchant Mariner Document;
• A NEXUS Air card when used at a NEXUS Air kiosk; or
• A North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) identification card, when accompanied by current NATO orders.

As of January 8, 2007, Canadian and U.S. citizens will require one of these documents to enter the United States by air or sea. The rules for crossing the U.S. border by land are yet to be released.

When does the WHTI come into effect?

The WHTI will be implemented in two phases to provide as much advance notice as possible to the affected public:

• As of January 8, 2007, Canadians must have one of the above-noted secure documents to enter the United States by air or sea (excluding ferry crossings and pleasure craft).
• As of January 1, 2008, Canadians must have a passport or another approved secure travel document to enter the United States by all modes of travel including land. The U.S. Congress is considering an amendment to delay the full implementation of the WHTI, but it is not passed at this time.

Does it affect both Canadians and Americans?

Yes. The WHTI will apply to all travellers entering or re-entering the United States, including citizens of Canada, the United States, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Central and South American countries.

Are alternate documents being considered?

Yes. The new rules for air and sea provide Canadian travellers to the United States the option of either a passport or a NEXUS Air card when used at a kiosk. The Government of Canada is working closely with its U.S. counterparts to investigate possible acceptable alternate documents for the land portion of the WHTI implementation.