President Obama announced a new Western Hemispheric Travel Initiative (WHTI) on October 9, 2009. The new initiative is designed to make it easier for U.S. citizens to travel to and within the Western Hemisphere. The WHTI will replace the current passport and visa requirements for travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
The WHTI will include three phases. The first phase, which is already in effect, includes new document requirements for air travel. U.S. citizens flying into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are now required to present a passport or other approved document.
The second phase of the WHTI, which will go into effect on January 31, 2010, includes new document requirements for land and sea travel. U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea will now be required to present a passport or other approved document.
The third phase of the WHTI, which will go into effect on June 1, 2009, includes new document requirements for cruise passengers. U.S. citizens cruising to the Western Hemisphere will now be required to present a passport or other approved document.
The WHTI is designed to make it easier for U.S. citizens to travel to and within the Western Hemisphere. The new initiative will replace the current passport and visa requirements for travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
The WHTI will include three phases. The first phase, which is already in effect, includes new document requirements for air travel. U.S. citizens flying into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are now required to present a passport or other approved document.
The second phase of the WHTI, which will go into effect on January 31, 2010, includes new document requirements for land and sea travel. U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea will now be required to present a passport or other approved document.
The third phase of the WHTI, which will go into effect on June 1, 2009, includes new document requirements for cruise passengers. U.S. citizens cruising to the Western Hemisphere will now be required to present a passport or other approved document.
Contents
- 1 What countries are in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
- 2 How do you get a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
- 3 What is a WHTI approved document?
- 4 How long does it take to get a WHTI?
- 5 Can you go on a cruise with an enhanced license?
- 6 Can you get to The Bahamas without a passport?
- 7 Is there an alternative to a passport?
What countries are in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. government policy that requires travelers to present a passport or other accepted document when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. The WHTI was enacted in June 2009 in response to the increased threat of terrorism.
The WHTI applies to all travelers, including U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens must present a passport or other accepted document when entering the United States by land, air, or sea.
The following documents are accepted under the WHTI:
U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
Enhanced driver’s license or ID card
Trusted traveler program card (NEXUS, FAST, Global Entry, SENTRI, or Canadian passport)
Military ID card
Form I-872 American card
Canadian passport
Certificate of identity
Emergency travel document
Re-entry permit
Visa waiver program (VWP) traveler card
The WHTI does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory must present a valid U.S. passport.
The WHTI does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from the following countries:
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Mexico
Montserrat
Netherlands Antilles
Nicaragua
Panama
Puerto Rico
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
The WHTI does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from the following countries if they have a valid U.S. passport:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
How do you get a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI, is a U.S. government program that requires all American citizens, including U.S. citizens born in other countries, to have a passport or other secure, approved document when entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The initiative was announced by President George W. Bush in January 2004 and fully implemented on June 1, 2009.
There are a number of ways to get a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The most common is to apply for a passport. U.S. citizens can apply for a passport at passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States. These facilities are operated by the U.S. Postal Service, many banks, and a few other private organizations.
U.S. citizens can also apply for a passport card. The passport card is a smaller, less expensive, and less secure version of the passport. It is meant for use by U.S. citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere by land or sea. The passport card can be used for travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
U.S. citizens can also apply for a passport book. The passport book is the standard, full-size passport. It is meant for use by U.S. citizens traveling internationally.
U.S. citizens can also apply for a passport through the mail. To apply by mail, U.S. citizens must download and complete the application form from the Department of State website. They must also include a passport photo, proof of U.S. citizenship, and payment for the application fee.
U.S. citizens can also apply for a passport through a passport agency. To apply through a passport agency, U.S. citizens must make an appointment and provide proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity, and payment for the application fee.
There are a few other, less common ways to get a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. U.S. citizens can get a passport card through the mail by applying through the Department of State’s passport application website. They can also get a passport card at a passport acceptance facility. U.S. citizens can also get a passport book through the mail by applying through the Department of State’s passport application website. They can also get a passport book at a passport agency.
U.S. citizens born in other countries can also get a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. They can get a passport card at a passport acceptance facility. They can also get a passport book at a passport agency.
What is a WHTI approved document?
A WHTI-approved document is a document that is acceptable for use as identification when crossing the U.S. border. The WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) is a U.S. government program that requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to present a WHTI-approved document when entering the United States.
There are a variety of documents that can be used as proof of identity and citizenship when crossing the U.S. border, including a passport, passport card, NEXUS card, or Enhanced Driver’s License. Some of these documents are more convenient than others, and some are more expensive.
U.S. citizens can present any of the following WHTI-approved documents when crossing the U.S. border:
-A passport
-A passport card
-A NEXUS card
-An Enhanced Driver’s License
U.S. permanent residents can present any of the following WHTI-approved documents when crossing the U.S. border:
-A Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
-A Reentry Permit
-A Refugee Travel Document
-A valid foreign passport and visa
All other travelers, including Canadians and Mexican nationals, must present a passport when crossing the U.S. border.
It is important to note that a WHTI-approved document is not always required when crossing the U.S. border. For example, U.S. citizens can enter the country by presenting a driver’s license and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. However, it is always best to carry a WHTI-approved document when crossing the border, just in case.
How long does it take to get a WHTI?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. government program that requires all U.S. citizens, Canadian citizens, and citizens of other Western Hemisphere countries to have a passport or other approved document when traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
How long does it take to get a WHTI?
The time it takes to get a WHTI varies depending on the type of document you need.
U.S. citizens can get a passport book or passport card. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get a passport book, and about 2-3 weeks to get a passport card.
Canadian citizens can get a passport, passport card, Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), or a NEXUS card. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get a passport, 2-3 weeks to get a passport card, and about 2 weeks to get an EDL or NEXUS card.
Citizens of other Western Hemisphere countries can get a passport, passport card, or visa. It takes about 4-6 weeks to get a passport, 2-3 weeks to get a passport card, and about 1-2 weeks to get a visa.
If you need a document more quickly, you can expedite the process. For a passport book, the fee is $60.00 and the processing time is 2-3 weeks. For a passport card, the fee is $30.00 and the processing time is 2-3 weeks. For a visa, the fee is $100.00 and the processing time is 1-2 days.
If you have any questions about the WHTI or the documents required, contact the U.S. Department of State or the Canadian Passport Office.
Can you go on a cruise with an enhanced license?
Can you go on a cruise with an enhanced license?
An enhanced license is a type of driver’s license that allows people to drive in certain states that have stricter licensing requirements than their home state. Enhanced licenses are also known as Inter-state driver’s licenses.
While enhanced licenses are typically valid for driving in all states, there are a few exceptions. For example, enhanced licenses cannot be used to drive in the state of New York.
So, can you go on a cruise with an enhanced license?
Yes, you can go on a cruise with an enhanced license. However, you should always check with the cruise line to make sure that the enhanced license is valid for driving in the country or states where the cruise will be taking place.
Can you get to The Bahamas without a passport?
Yes, you can get to The Bahamas without a passport. As of June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens, including children, are required to have a valid passport when traveling to The Bahamas by air. However, if you are traveling by boat or ferry, you may be able to enter The Bahamas without a passport if you can prove your nationality and identity with another form of identification, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate.
Is there an alternative to a passport?
A passport is a document that proves your identity and nationality when travelling to other countries. It is a required document for most international travel. There are a few other documents that can be used for international travel, but they are not as widely accepted as a passport.
A passport is a booklet that is issued by a country’s government. It contains your name, photograph, date of birth, and other identifying information. It also has a section that contains stamps and visas from the countries that you have visited. A passport is valid for a certain number of years, usually five or 10.
There are a few other documents that can be used for international travel. A driver’s license or other form of government-issued identification can be used to travel within the United States. However, these documents are not accepted by all countries. A passport is accepted by more countries than any other type of document.
There are a few other types of travel documents that are accepted by some countries. These documents include a national identification card, a voter registration card, and a military identification card. However, these documents are not as widely accepted as a passport.
A passport is the best option for international travel. It is accepted by more countries than any other type of document, and it is valid for a longer period of time.