The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens,
traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be
required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S.
Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration
Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens,
traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other
documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the
Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet
all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will
be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport
cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling
to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens
returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered
to have left the United States and do not need to present a
passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.