Wondering when you’ll need a passport to enter (or re-enter) the U.S. by sea or land? The The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced the final deadline: June 1, 2009.
As of this date, everyone (including citizens of the U.S., Bermuda and Canada who were previously exempt) will need a passport or WHTI compliant document to enter the United States by land or sea. This requirement is already in place for air travel.
The U.S. government hopes that announcing the date more than a year in advance will allow people ample time to get their documentation in order, and hopefully prevent a repeat of the severe backlogs that occurred last year.
The good news? Enhanced driver's licenses will also meet this requirement, and special provisions will be made for school trips.
Want to see the government’s announcements? See the FAQ and recent press release from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Watch for more information as the Canadian and American governments launch their educational campaigns.
See AST's article Crossing borders with new entry requirements for more information.
Showing posts with label entry requirements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entry requirements. Show all posts
March 26, 2008
New transit visa policy comes into effect Friday
As of Friday, March 28 new policy changes mean that more people will require a transit visa if they plan to stop in New Zealand. According to an article on Radio New Zealand News, transit visas will be required for all travellers passing through New Zealand.
Under the previous policy, travellers did not need a visitor visa if they are stopping at a New Zealand airport on their way to another country (staying for up to 24 hours and not leaving the transit area of the airport). However, transit visas were only required for people travelling to and from Pacific nations.
What’s changed? The new policy extends the requirement to all travellers who are not covered by the following exemptions:
Under the previous policy, travellers did not need a visitor visa if they are stopping at a New Zealand airport on their way to another country (staying for up to 24 hours and not leaving the transit area of the airport). However, transit visas were only required for people travelling to and from Pacific nations.
What’s changed? The new policy extends the requirement to all travellers who are not covered by the following exemptions:
- current New Zealand visa holders
- Travellers whose next destination is New Zealand or Australia.
- Travellers who hold a passport from a visa-free country or from a visa exempted county.
All others will be required to apply for a transit visa. The good news is that the list of visa-free countries is quite extensive and includes Canada, the US, Australia and the UK among many others.
Need more information or want to apply for a visa? Check out the Immigration New Zealand website.
March 2, 2008
Canadians: Why your CCC won't get you in
Got a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship? You'll still need a passport for foreign travel, otherwise
you may face unnecessary delays and hassles, or be turned away at the border. While many Canadians have a CCC as proof of citizenship in order to apply for jobs, get a passport or obtain other official documents, the certificate cannot be used as a travel document.
Here’s the proof: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has recently been updating its travel reports to include the following warning:
“A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.”
Translation: Get a passport or expect trouble.
While the CCC can’t be used as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S., a birth certificate and driver’s license will still suffice at land and sea borders.
When in doubt, check the government advice to see what documentation you need.
you may face unnecessary delays and hassles, or be turned away at the border. While many Canadians have a CCC as proof of citizenship in order to apply for jobs, get a passport or obtain other official documents, the certificate cannot be used as a travel document.
Here’s the proof: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has recently been updating its travel reports to include the following warning:
“A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.”
Translation: Get a passport or expect trouble.
While the CCC can’t be used as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S., a birth certificate and driver’s license will still suffice at land and sea borders.
When in doubt, check the government advice to see what documentation you need.
February 8, 2008
Got an ETA for Australia:
Do you need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) when you travel to Australia?
Yes, according to government travel advice. A visa or ETA is required for all visits to Australia.
However, the ETA is replacing the visa for most tourists or business people making a short-term
visit. The good news: The ETA is easier to obtain than a visa and will cover trips up to 90 days.
Where can you get one?
Yes, according to government travel advice. A visa or ETA is required for all visits to Australia.
However, the ETA is replacing the visa for most tourists or business people making a short-term
visit. The good news: The ETA is easier to obtain than a visa and will cover trips up to 90 days.
Where can you get one?
- Your travel agent
- Your embassy
- Online from the Australian Electronic Travel Authority
Check your government’s travel advice for other relevant information for Australia.
January 3, 2008
Canadians: Got a passport?
What does the January 31 deadline mean for your travel plans?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is meant to improve security and simplify entry in to the U.S. As of the January 31 2008 deadline, Canadians now need a WHTI compliant document to enter the U.S. through Land and Sea entry points. Customs officials will stop asking for verbal declarations of citizenship and will start demanding proof. Most travellers will now need a government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) and birth certificate.
A passport for land and sea travel may be required as soon as June 2008 but an official deadline has not been set by the U.S. government. Recent media reports indicate that this date has been pushed back to June 2009. There is also talk of enhanced driver’s licenses being accepted instead, but a passport is still the recommended document for international travel. Passports are still required for all air travel.
Questions? Check out our article on new entry requirements.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is meant to improve security and simplify entry in to the U.S. As of the January 31 2008 deadline, Canadians now need a WHTI compliant document to enter the U.S. through Land and Sea entry points. Customs officials will stop asking for verbal declarations of citizenship and will start demanding proof. Most travellers will now need a government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) and birth certificate.
A passport for land and sea travel may be required as soon as June 2008 but an official deadline has not been set by the U.S. government. Recent media reports indicate that this date has been pushed back to June 2009. There is also talk of enhanced driver’s licenses being accepted instead, but a passport is still the recommended document for international travel. Passports are still required for all air travel.
Questions? Check out our article on new entry requirements.
December 17, 2007
Schengen area grows again
Planning a trip to Europe? The Schengen Convention is about to make it a little easier. (The “Schengen Area” is the common name for member countries who have implemented the agreement).As of December 21, nine new countries -- Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary -- will be added.
What does this mean for travellers?
If you’re not familiar with the Schengen Convention, it’s the agreement whereby member countries have common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. Internal border controls among member countries have been abolished.
In other words, if you plan to visit more than one of the 22 countries involved, a Schengen visa will cover the entire area. Generally, most travellers do not need a visa for stays than 90 days, unless travelling for work, research or study.
However, since border post and controls between member countries have been abolished travel delays, particularly on the roadways, have significantly decreased. In other words, the more countries involved, the easier it is to get around without hassle.
Many of the European Union countries have also signed the Schengen Convention, but the United Kingdom and Ireland are exceptions. Switzerland will be the next country to implement the Schengen agreement sometime in 2008.
What does this mean for travellers?
If you’re not familiar with the Schengen Convention, it’s the agreement whereby member countries have common rules regarding visas, asylum rights and controls at the external borders. Internal border controls among member countries have been abolished.
In other words, if you plan to visit more than one of the 22 countries involved, a Schengen visa will cover the entire area. Generally, most travellers do not need a visa for stays than 90 days, unless travelling for work, research or study.
However, since border post and controls between member countries have been abolished travel delays, particularly on the roadways, have significantly decreased. In other words, the more countries involved, the easier it is to get around without hassle.
Many of the European Union countries have also signed the Schengen Convention, but the United Kingdom and Ireland are exceptions. Switzerland will be the next country to implement the Schengen agreement sometime in 2008.
July 5, 2007
Required: blank pages
You’ve got your visa, you’ve got your passport… But do you have room for stamps?
According to various government travel advice sources, it pays to check your passport before you leave. Even if your passport doesn’t expire for more than six months past your vacation, there’s another reason you could be denied entry at your destination.
Some countries, such as South Africa and Botswana, require that you leave a full blank page in your passport. Yes, you can be turned away if you fail to comply with this requirement. Check the government entry/exit advice for your destinations and make sure you leave enough room in passport!
According to various government travel advice sources, it pays to check your passport before you leave. Even if your passport doesn’t expire for more than six months past your vacation, there’s another reason you could be denied entry at your destination.
Some countries, such as South Africa and Botswana, require that you leave a full blank page in your passport. Yes, you can be turned away if you fail to comply with this requirement. Check the government entry/exit advice for your destinations and make sure you leave enough room in passport!
June 28, 2007
Insure a good trip to Belarus
Insurance can keep you out of trouble in the event of an accident, but not having it can even keep you out of some countries.
For Belarus, insurance is more than a failsafe – it’s a necessity if you want to get into the country. The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns its citizens that medical insurance is compulsory for a trip to Belarus. Health insurance must be purchased from a Belarus insurance company or a company accredited in Belarus. A list of companies is available from Belarus Embassies and insurance can even be purchased when obtaining a visa.
The advice also notes that if you plan to drive in Belarus you are required to have third-party car insurance (which can only be purchased when you arrive).
For Belarus, insurance is more than a failsafe – it’s a necessity if you want to get into the country. The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warns its citizens that medical insurance is compulsory for a trip to Belarus. Health insurance must be purchased from a Belarus insurance company or a company accredited in Belarus. A list of companies is available from Belarus Embassies and insurance can even be purchased when obtaining a visa.
The advice also notes that if you plan to drive in Belarus you are required to have third-party car insurance (which can only be purchased when you arrive).
June 16, 2007
Declare your cash in the EU
Planning to travel through the EU? According to recent UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice updates, new regulations for declaring cash came into effect on June 15, 2007. Anyone entering or leaving the EU must now declare the money they carry when the amount exceeds 10 000 euros. This amount includes all cash, cheques, traveller’s cheques and money orders.
The exception to the rules? You will not need to declare your cash if you are:
The exception to the rules? You will not need to declare your cash if you are:
- travelling within the EU.
- travelling via the EU to a non-EU country (when the original journey started outside of the EU).
December 14, 2006
Do you need a visa for the Cricket World Cup?
This year's Cricket World Cup will be hosted by nine Caribbean countries. Attendees may require a special visa to enter the host countries.
Matches will be held in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago from March 13 - April 28, 2007. Exhibition games will be played from March 3 - 9, 2007.
According to the ICC Cricket World Cup website, citizens from many nations all around the world will require a special visa to enter these countries during the period of January 15 - May 15, 2007. This CARICOM visa is required for Australian and New Zealand nationals, but UK, Canada and US nationals are exempt. Registration can be completed online starting December 15, 2006.
Matches will be held in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago from March 13 - April 28, 2007. Exhibition games will be played from March 3 - 9, 2007.
According to the ICC Cricket World Cup website, citizens from many nations all around the world will require a special visa to enter these countries during the period of January 15 - May 15, 2007. This CARICOM visa is required for Australian and New Zealand nationals, but UK, Canada and US nationals are exempt. Registration can be completed online starting December 15, 2006.
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