Canadian Border Travel Update
New Document Requirements Beginning January 31, 2008
- from the Connect2Canada Team

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of January 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry.

Currently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. However, as of January 31, 2008:

* Oral declarations of citizenship and identity alone will no longer be accepted
* U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, AND proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
* Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
* Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel

To view the complete requirements, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1196711811270.shtm.

Travel document requirements for Canadian citizens traveling to the United States by land or water are also available on the Canada Border Services Agency website at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/2007-11-09-eng.html.

New Border Developments
Minister Day welcomes U.S. decision to delay passport requirements for land and sea travel under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Please visit http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2007/nr20071226-eng.aspx to view Minister Day's response to the decision by the United States to delay until June 1, 2009, at the earliest, implementation of passport requirements for travel by land and sea under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The 18-month delay of the passport requirement was contained in the budgetary spending bill passed in late December by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Bush on December 26, 2007.

Resources:
Are you a Canadian living in the U.S. and applying for a passport?

Passport Canada has produced a passport application checklist for Canadians living in the United States. According to Passport Canada, almost half of the applications from the United States are rejected due to common, avoidable errors. This checklist lists the most common problems and how to avoid them. To access the checklist, visit www.connect2canada.com/resources/CdnUsaChecklist.pdf
Canadian Passports: Guarantor Policy

In October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced a new guarantor policy for Canadian passports. This new policy allows most Canadian adult passport holders residing in Canada or the U.S. to act as guarantors for passport applications. Now, any family member as well as any individual residing at the applicant's address may act as guarantor, provided he or she meets the requirements. Please click here to view the complete guarantor requirements.

For additional information related to Canadian passports, visit www.passportcanada.gc.ca
or call 1-800-567-6868.