Time’s Up – You Must Have a Passport

Effective October 1st, U.S. citizens are now required to have a passport for air travel to Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

In the summer, the Government fell far behind on processing passport applications due to the new rules.  As they were working through the backlog, they put in place special rules allowing people to travel freely between Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean as long as they had a proof of passport application and a government issued photo identification.  However, as of Monday, October 1, those rules no longer apply and you now need a real passport to leave or re-enter the United States.  Those under 16 and traveling with a parent/guardian still only need to have proof of passport application.

The WHTI passport requirements only apply to air travel and will not apply to cruise ship travel until January 31, 2008.  The best advice for anyone even remotely considering an upcoming business or pleasure trip is to apply now.  Current wait times range from six to eight weeks, but that could lengthen with the anticipated surge in applications with these new rules now being enforced.  Many in the travel industry recommend that if you are traveling in 120 days or less to opt for an expedited passport to avoid any frustrations and disappointment.  The cost is higher, an expedited passport is approx. $157 (adult), compared with a regular passport of $97.

A handy service available for checking your passport status is to go the State Department’s Website and click on the status check button.  By entering your pertinent information, you can where your application is in the process.

Posted by on 10/05 at 12:45 PM

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