Returning from a visit to Canada.

[Don-Savannah GA]

I just read "Border Alert" in the AARP magazine. It states the new homeland security laws that will take effect in the next 12 to 18 months will require a passport or a similiar document to reenter the US.

Since a passport costs $97.00 per person, what would be a "similiar document"?

 

[Don-Savannah GA]

I just read "Border Alert" in the AARP magazine. It states the new homeland security laws that will take effect in the next 12 to 18 months will require a passport or a similiar document to reenter the US.

Since a passport costs $97.00 per person, what would be a "similiar document"?

 

[ichn2go]

Don , Perhaps a Birth Certificate with a Seal.
Maybe ask AARP?
Love my Diesel but miss the 35C. Wife liked the N/S Bed and the tub in it,better than the Horizon. Good to hear from you, hope all is ok. Jim

 

[Tom N]

Last I "heard" was the passport requirement was scrapped. It will be replaced by an ID card that will be much cheaper than a passport.

Tom

 

[Ron H-WO]

Hi, we did the Canada trip last year; the passport requirement was in effect. You need either a passport or birth certificate from the county of birth with seal and picture form of id - your drivers lisc. This is the requirement to cross either way between US and Canada.

Enjoy your trip, we had a great time.

 

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">the passport requirement was in effect. You need either a passport or birth certificate </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

How could the new passport requirement be in effect?? You stated you needed a passport OR a birth cert. Thus only a birth cert and picture ID is needed. This has been the requirement for a long time.

The new passport requirement that was to take effect in 2 years has been scrapped and is being replaced by a NEW ID card.

 

[Don-Savannah GA]

Tom,
Where do I get the NEW ID card?

 

[rebelsbeach]

Don,I have been all over the Canadian immigration sites and it only mentions "passport OR photo id", nowhere is there mention of a "new" ID needed....

Tom,as I was on the "official" Canadian site,can you offer a link to where your getting your information?

 

[Tom N]

This is the latest info I could find on the scrapping of the planned Homeland Security traditional passport requirement, to re-enter the US from Canada and Mexico, that was to take effect at the end of 2006 and 2007.

Current plan is for an ID card to be issued but the card procedure has not been announced.

http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2006/Jan/20-138318.html

 

[Tom N]

The original plan was that all US citizens would require a passport to re-enter the US from Canada and Mexico. This was to take effect at the end of 2006 for all air travelers and the end of 2007 for those coming back into the US in vehicles.

After the plan was announced last Spring (2005) Bush balked mostly because of all the crossings between Texas and Mexico. So rather than the traditional passport there will be some sort of a compromise that will only require a cheap or free ID card. The card will probably have some sort of a computer chip with info, photo, etc.

The Canadians are also very upset.

See: http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20060131010

 

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Don,I have been all over the Canadian immigration sites and it only mentions "passport OR photo id", nowhere is there mention of a "new" ID needed.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob G, this has nothing to do with Canadian immigration or Canadian law. This is new US Homeland Security requirements for US citizens to re-enter the US from Canada and Mexico.

Currently the new passport requirement is too strict and expensive and the whole requirement is "up in the air". Watch for announcements in the coming months.

 

[LazyDog-WO]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The Canadians are also very upset. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Why would we Canadians be upset over regulations on returning US folks?

 

[rebelsbeach]

US Customs and Norder Protection site

U.S. Citizens Returning from Canada and Mexico-

Returning U.S. Citizens from abroad must present a valid passport for entry into the United States unless returning from the Western Hemisphere.
Under section 215(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1185(b), it is unlawful except as otherwise provided for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter the United States without a valid passport.


A U.S. citizen is not required to bear a valid passport to enter or depart the United States (under 22 CFR 53.2):
When traveling directly between parts of the United States as defined in Sec. 50.1 of this chapter;
When traveling between the United States and any country, territory, or island adjacent thereto in North, South or Central America excluding Cuba; provided, that this exception is not applicable to any such person when proceeding to or arriving from a place outside the United States for which a valid passport is required under this part if such travel is accomplished within 60 days of departure from the United States via any country or territory in North, South or Central America or any island adjacent thereto;
When traveling as a bona fide seaman or air crewman who is the holder of record of a valid merchant mariner identification document or air crewman identification card;
When traveling as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty;
When he is under 21 years of age and is a member of the household of an official or employee of a foreign government or of the United Nations and is in possession of or included in a foreign passport;
When he is a child under 12 years of age and is included in the foreign passport of an alien parent; however, such child will be required to provide evidence of his U.S. citizenship when entering the United States;
When the citizen entering the United States presents a card of identity and registration issued by a consular office abroad to facilitate travel to the United States; or
When specifically authorized by the Secretary of State through appropriate official channels to depart from or enter the United States, as defined in Sec. 50.1 of this chapter. The fee for a waiver of the passport requirement under this section shall be collected in the amount prescribed in the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (22 CFR 22.1). [31 FR 13546, Oct. 20, 1966, as amended at 37 FR 11459, June 8, 1972; 51 FR 26247, July 22, 1986]

Due to heightened security it is strongly recommended that U.S. citizens also present their passports even when returning from travel only to Canada or Mexico.

 

[Tom N]

Lazy Dog; Did you read the Canadian website that I mentioned?? Here are the first 3 paragraphs of that website.

Canada-U.S. Delegation Makes Case Against New Border ID Requirement
Speaker's Office
February 1, 2006 14:24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Security at the Canada-U.S. border must be carefully guarded, but the economic stability and viability of Eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. must also be protected, say members of a joint delegation responding to an American proposal for passport-type identification cards.

Nova Scotia House Of Assembly Speaker Murray Scott and Opposition Leader Darrell Dexter are among members of the Canada-U.S. delegation who are in Washington today, Feb. 1, to voice concerns over the U.S. proposal that would require travellers to carry the passport-type ID cards when they cross the Canada-U.S. border.

The provincial and state officials say the ID requirement will be costly and will cause economic damage to the travel and tourism industries in both countries.

[Source: http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20060131010 ]

 

[Tom N]

Bob G; What you have quoted is current until Dec. 2006 Then the following will take effect.

New Requirements for Travelers

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

[Source: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html ]

 

[rebelsbeach]

Good job Tom....

 

[LazyDog-WO]

Thanks Tom N

"No" you are correct I had not taken the time to check out the link.
We live 20 miles from the NY border and frequently cross to race events (one of the tracks in our series is in Northern NY) and have done so without incident or undue delay. US racers who cross even more frequently for the Canadian venues also report no inappropriate delays. Bottom line is for those of us who make a habit of inter-border travel the cost(regardless of the # of $)will be better dispersed but for those who would make the occasional or one time only crossing it may turn out to be a prohibative factor!
If the end result is better security then unquestionably the cost is justified. My experience however suggests that instead those that care to, just become more creative in thwarting the system.
We need to ensure the law makers are taking everyone's best interest into account. Regardless of which side of the border you live on ....... talk to you local political representative!

 

[RobAndTeresa]

This might be of some help as well, the US Dept of State. It might help clarify some of the questions. As of 01/01/08, CURRENTLY, a passport or one of 4 other Government issued documents will be required.

There is an effort to develop a less costly ID system, similar to a drivers license, which in order to obtain, would require you providing all the same information needed to obtain a passport, and it would be at a reduced cost. It would be similar to the "laser Visa" currently in use, mainly in use by those who cross the Mexican border on a regular basis.

The sire below may help some answer some of the questions they have.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html


Take care.

 

[Don-Savannah GA]

Thanks to Rob and Teressa,
From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Website.
"Documentary Requirements for Entry To The United States

Travel from within the Western Hemisphere (North, Central or South America)
U.S. citizens:
Are exempt from passport requirements. However, it is highly recommended that a U.S. Citizen be prepared to present documentation such as valid or expired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or Naturalization certificate to avoid delays."
Looks like a U.S. birth certificate will suffice in 2006.
Thanks to all.

 

[A.J]

Just a little help, Canadaian Goverment web site

www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca