New passport rules start Tuesday for air travelers

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I know we've had posts earlier on this, but just an FYI for anyone who isn't aware of this...

ATLANTA - Americans flying to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean made sure to bring their passports Monday because of a new rule going into effect Tuesday that requires them to show one to get back into the country.

Only about a quarter of U.S. citizens hold valid passports, and most Americans are accustomed to traveling to neighboring countries with just a driver's license or birth certificate, which have long been sufficient to get through airport customs on the trip home.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/012...sport22-ON.html

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Still wondering whether I should fork out C$85 (for new Canuck passport--the one which was current when I travelled to India in May 2005 is now expired) or simply use my US passport (expires in 2015) for travelling to Calgary.

[pedroh 21]

was this rule only for driving through the border? in the last 2 years we've been going to mexico flying.. they have asked my wife her american passport when entering Mexico.. so, why is this new?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

was this rule only for driving through the border? in the last 2 years we've been going to mexico flying.. they have asked my wife her american passport when entering Mexico.. so, why is this new?

Many Canucks (non-GC holders) were known for showing Citizenship Card when entering either country--with GC holders showing only GC (no passport) to enter US.

Also, Yanks COULD use birth cert (or naturalisation cert--of course, if you don't mind a much more awkward document than the wallet-sized Canuck Citizenship Card) to reenter US from Canada.

[Marilyn. 340]

was this rule only for driving through the border? in the last 2 years we've been going to mexico flying.. they have asked my wife her american passport when entering Mexico.. so, why is this new?

supposedly you can still drive across the border without a passport but that is going to change next year sometime....

American's now need a passport to get back into the US when flying....

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I haven't read the guidelines, so I do not know the details. BUT, my dad (a PR) was going to leave to Mexico this morning but was denied boarding because he needed a acurrent Mexican passport. Don't have the details. Maybe it is a Mexico thing.

He is heading to a Mexican consulate to see what can be done.

Daniel

:energetic:

[eric&gen 0]

Passports are expensive i had to fork out $160 plus to have my sons passport expedited because we are traveling overseas in March.

Edited January 24, 2007 by eric&gen

[SoL. 0]

This is completely crazy and they have me completely confused on how they are managing the Caribbean US Territories issue.

For us from Puerto Rico, since it's American soil, supposedly we don't need a passport but it's the Caribbean. I am still trying to find out if I need passports for my two sons or not. Every summer we go and visit and they never needed passports...

[misa 2]

The guidelines are quite clear on the travel.state.gov site for US terroritories:

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

[SoL. 0]

Thanks for the link Misa

I remember reading that on the DHS site and was quite all comfy with it until I read an article on Yahoo! including PR and USVI as some of the affected with this and how the tourism was going to be down the hill for them. And then they confused me LOL....

Getting a passport on high season takes forever plus costs quite $$$....

[misa 2]

Sol-de-Verano, you're welcome! You have nothing to worry about for travelling to and from PR to the U.S..