| Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, | | | | travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, |
| Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to | | | | Central and South America. |
| have a passport to enter or re-enter the | | | | |
| United States. This is a change from prior | | | | December 31, 2006 - Passport required for all |
| travel requirements and will affect all | | | | air and sea travel to or from Mexico and |
| United States citizens entering the United | | | | Canada. |
| States from countries within the Western | | | | |
| Hemisphere. This new requirement will also | | | | December 31, 2007 - Passport required for all |
| affect certain foreign nationals who | | | | air, sea and land border crossings. |
| currently are not required to present a | | | | |
| passport to travel to the United States. Most | | | | How Do I get a passport? |
| Canadian citizens, citizens of the British | | | | |
| Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a | | | | U.S. citizens may visit the Passport section |
| lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be | | | | of the State Department web site [state.gov] |
| affected by the implementation of this | | | | for information on how to apply for a U.S. |
| requirement. Essentially, you must have a | | | | passport. You should allow yourself a |
| passport if you wish to enter the United | | | | sufficient amount of time to apply and |
| States, even if you are a U.S. citizen. | | | | receive your passport in advance of travel. |
| | | | Current processing time estimates are 6 to 8 |
| When It Goes Into Effect | | | | weeks. |
| | | | |
| The travel initiative requirements will be | | | | In Closing |
| rolled out in phases. The proposed | | | | |
| implementation timeline is as follows: | | | | As the world becomes a more dangerous place, |
| | | | borders are being tightened. How depressing. |
| December 31, 2005 - Passport required for all | | | | |