Passports Required for Air Travel Into the United States as of Jan.23rd 2007

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of State announced on November 22 the official requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere (including the Caribbean and Central and South America) beginning January 23, 2007.

This is a revision from the previously announced date of January 8, 2007.

U.S. Citizens departing and returning to the United States by air after January 23, 2007, will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport. The Passport office is already busy and this will likely contribute to a backlog that could result in lengthy issuance delays as these rules take effect.

Although the requirement to possess a valid Passport or PASScard for sea travel and land border crossings could be extended to as late as June 1, 2009, the government can accelerate this date based on meeting certain standards and is recommending that travelers be prepared for the passport requirement as early as January 1, 2008.

Remember, without a Passport or PASScard, your clients will not be able to travel outside of the United States and you will be limited in the international leisure vacations that you can market and sell – particularly cruises. In addition, after the implementation date, U.S. clients who arrive at their Port of Embarkation without a valid U.S. Passport will not be permitted to board the ship. Information you can share with every client on obtaining or renewing a U.S. Passport can be found on the State Department’s Web site.

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