The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, federal legislation implemented in June 2009, mandates that all U.S. citizens leaving the country have a passport to present to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials upon reentry to the U.S. These regulations are applicable regardless of whether the foreign country requires a passport from U.S. travelers. Prior to WHTI, U.S. citizens could travel to Canada and Mexico without passports. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Congress appointed the 9/11 commission to evaluate the security of the U.S. and the circumstances leading up to the attacks. WHTI grew out of security recommendations by the commission. These recommendations later became law when Congress passed them under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act in 2004. The purpose of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. borders by creating standardized travel documentation requirements. The government hopes this will both facilitate the entry of legitimate visitors to the U.S. and prevent people without permission to be in the U.S. from entering.
A valid U.S. passport book is always needed for international air travel, regardless of your destination.
The only other WHTI-compliant identification documents for air travel to Canada are a Merchant Mariner's Document while the traveler is on official maritime business or a NEXUS Air Trusted Traveler card. Trusted traveler cards are government issued travel documents that facilitate transportation of pre-approved, low-risk travelers between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. NEXUS is the joint initiative between the U.S. and Canada and SENTRI is the nearly identical program run by the U.S. and Mexico. A NEXUS card ensures expedited travel to and from Canada by allowing travelers to avoid long waits at border entry points.
CBSA officials at border and seaports will not require U.S. citizens to show a passport or visa upon their arrival. However, WHTI mandates that U.S. travelers returning from a stay in Canada present either a valid U.S. passport book or passport card to U.S. officials on the return trip. A passport card is a less expensive, wallet-size alternative to a passport book. While cheaper and smaller, a U.S. passport card can be used only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. A U.S. passport book is required for all international air travel and sea travel to any other destination.
The substitution regulations for land and sea travel to Canada are more lenient than they are for air travel to Canada. U.S. officials at border and seaports can accept enhanced tribal cards, an enhanced driver's license, a U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document, a U.S. military ID, a Form I-872 American Indian card, a Native American Tribal photo ID card and a NEXUS trusted traveler card from travelers on their return trip.
If you share custody of your children, pack custody documents. CBSA agents are on the lookout for missing children, and presenting these documents removes any suspicion that the children are entering Canada against their will. CBSA advises that the parent bring a letter of authorization signed by the other custodial parent. The letter must state that the child is permitted to go on the foreign trip and should also include the parents' names, addresses and telephone numbers. If you are bringing children who are not your own into Canada, bring an authorization letter from their parent or guardian.
