Traveller's Corner

Travelling in North America

Canadians now need a passport to travel to US by air

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is an American endeavour that establishes new requirements for documentation to enter the U.S. It is being implemented in stages.

Since January 23, 2007, WHTI came into effect for air travel to the United States. The following documents are acceptable:

• A valid Canadian passport; or
• A NEXUS card when used at a NEXUS kiosk at designated airports.

The NEXUS program offers a simplified and expedited clearance process to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. NEXUS is currently available at the Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal international airports and will be expanded to other major airports later this year.

For land and sea travel, the new rules are not yet in place. Canadian citizens will not require a passport or other secure document to enter the United States at LAND AND MARINE ports of entry until summer 2008 at the earliest.

Planning to travel to Mexico from Canada?

Although the Government of Canada recommends that Canadians travelling to any destination outside of Canada carry a valid passport, it is not mandatory to do so for travel to Mexico. To date, there has been no policy change requiring Canadians to travel with their passports to this destination. However, you must have sufficient identification to satisfy border officials of your identity and citizenship.

It is recommended that you consult your travel agent or the embassy or consultate of Mexico in Canada for travel document requirements.