PJ - Western Hemisphere visits will soon require a passport

Poughkeepsie Journal

Western Hemisphere visits will soon require a passport


By Brad Kendall • March 3, 2009


In three months, on June 1, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect.


The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service program will affect those Americans entering the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. (Those entering by air are required to use a U.S. Passport now and in the future.)

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Currently, Americans crossing these borders can do so using photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate. After June 1, Americans crossing these borders will be required to use either a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a New York state enhanced driver's license, or an enhanced photo identification card."

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"The New York state enhan-ced driver's license, the en-hanced non-driver's ID card or an enhanced learner's permit are valid for land and sea crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. These are not valid for international air travel. To upgrade a valid license, permit or non-driver ID, the cost is $40. If you upgrade your document at time of renewal, there is an additional $30 fee on top of the license or ID fee."