Passports to enter USA

[bunnyfoo]

If you don't want a hassle.............

Get a passport! It's a small cost considering if something awful was to happen, you would have proof positive of who you are!

I've always travelled with a passport and even when I travelled to Boston and my girlfriend did not have proper ID, even after I told her what she needed, they allowed her entry into the US due to this fact.

Plus, if the borders were to be closed, Canadians cannot be allowed entry into Canada as long as they have proof that they are Citizens'! The only way to prove this is by having a Passport!

Small price to pay for piece of mind!

Scratch

I agree! I also travel with my passport even if I'm going just crossing the border to go shopping. I've never been hassled by the US customs. I've also heard (from a friend who is a travel agent) that it is at the discretion of the customs agent whether you can enter the country or not if you're traveling with a birth certificate + DL. She also said there is no recourse if they decide not to let you in. I haven't been in that situation but I figure that with a passport that's one less thing for me to worry about. $80+ for a 5 year passport is pretty pricey. It can really add up when travelling with a big family.

But it figures they would announce the new passport rules just as mine is expiring... or expired! I guess I should just go and get mine and not procrastinate any longer

 

[mom_rules]

CharlesTD-what did they tell you your wait time will be?

 

[CharlesTD]

10 days max and they send them back expresspost. Our one drawback was our oldest daughter was born before we got married so we now have to send for the long form BC. But some good news was our second daughter is 3 currently and her passport is now good for 5 years and it was only 22 dollars if I remember correctly.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We've found it's much easier to cross the border, even driving, with our passports.

At least this will end the debate and worry about whether they are needed or not.

I got a great deal with DS's passport as he got his just 3 months before he turned 16 so he paid the lower fee but it's still good for 5 years. Ours expire March 2007 so hopefully there won't be a backlog by then to renew them.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

But, we could all just consider waiting for an official announcement!

I would give serious consideration to the posting from the U.S. Department of State website as being as official as it's going to get.

I've been harping on the need for passports for the longest time. They are the travel document of choice and there is no excuse not to have one. I've always considered the cost of my passport to be a part of the cost of travelling. Pro-rated over 5 years, it's one of the greatest values and I consider it a great privilege to carry a Canadian passport.

I'm like some others out here -- I carry my passport across the border to go shopping.

As a minister, I also have the privilege of acting as guarantor for many people applying for passports. I always ask them about their travel plans: one lady told me a great reason for having a current passport -- she wants to be able to take advantage of last-minute travel deals.

Shall we lay odds on how many passport-panic-posts there will be towards the end of 2006?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Ours expire March 2007 so hopefully there won't be a backlog by then to renew them.

Unfortunately, that's probably exactly when the backlog will happen.

According to the US Department of State website:

* December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

Rather innocuous, until one realizes that March Break 2007 will be the first March Break in which Canadian air passengers escaping the end of yet another Canadian winter will require passports.

I predict there will be more than one family sent home from the airport at the start of Spring Break 2007 -- and the media will cover the sad story and the blame will be laid at the feet of the Canadian government, the airline, George W. Bush, the travel agent all because "nobody told us."

 

[lilsonicfan]

I would give serious consideration to the posting from the U.S. Department of State website as being as official as it's going to get.

Yes, and the posting says "by Jan. 1, 2008". So what's with the "end of 2005" postings then?

What I mean is that if the official date comes out as Dec 31, 2005 on the US Dept of State website, then by all means I'd listen! But so far - it still says 2008, so I'm waiting on a more official, detailed posting.

Here's the current posting:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/44228.htm
"The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to secure and expedite travel. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document to enter or re-enter the U.S. by January 1, 2008."

ETA: Ah, I see where Dec 31, 2006 is listed for travel to and from Canada.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html
The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

* December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
* December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
* December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

 

[CharlesTD]

We needed ours anyhow as we are going on a cruise so it wasn't an issue for us.

 

[mom_rules]

A general passport question-Our don't expire until 2006. If we choose to renew early -2005-will they be good until 2011 or 2010?

 

[Fire14]

If you don't want a hassle.............

Get a passport! It's a small cost considering if something awful was to happen, you would have proof positive of who you are!

I've always travelled with a passport and even when I travelled to Boston and my girlfriend did not have proper ID, even after I told her what she needed, they allowed her entry into the US due to this fact.

Plus, if the borders were to be closed, Canadians cannot be allowed entry into Canada as long as they have proof that they are Citizens'! The only way to prove this is by having a Passport!

Small price to pay for piece of mind!

Scratch

I so agree and I know I personally noticed how much easier I've had it since traveling with mine in airports and at Border.

i also have heard from serveral people that a lot of cruise lines require passports. I plan on taking mine on DCL with me.

 

[CharlesTD]

DCL requires it they take it when checking in and you get it back after you get off the ship or the day you are to debark.

 

[OntFamily]

Come on, you can't honestly say Canada has a tighter border than the US and still keep a straight face. It is significantly easier to obtain residency in Canada than it is in the US.

What do you base this on??

 

[CharlesTD]

Well for 4 of the 5 it was 237. and some change and we have to pay the 35 to get the longform BC and then pay her 35 to get her passport. I say this is a pittence when you look at the peace of mind you garner from carrying this little document when you travel.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

DCL requires it they take it when checking in and you get it back after you get off the ship or the day you are to debark.

DCL forces passengers to surrender their passports? Does anyone else feel as uncomfortable about this as I do? That document is my identification when in foreign countries -- such as every DCL port-of-call.

 

[lilsonicfan]

DCL forces passengers to surrender their passports? Does anyone else feel as uncomfortable about this as I do? That document is my identification when in foreign countries -- such as every DCL port-of-call.

Almost every cruiseline takes the passports of foreign passengers - it isn't limited to DCL. US citizens get to keep their passports, but US non-citizen residents and Canadians and the rest of the world must give up their passports for the duration of the cruise.

 

[Scratch42]

DCL forces passengers to surrender their passports? Does anyone else feel as uncomfortable about this as I do? That document is my identification when in foreign countries -- such as every DCL port-of-call.

I always keep a photocopy of all the pertinent documents, including the passport!

Acutally I feel safer that they have it, that way it is their resposibility to keep it safe and sound.

Scratch

 

[Grumbo]

I always keep a photocopy of all the pertinent documents, including the passport!

Acutally I feel safer that they have it, that way it is their resposibility to keep it safe and sound.

Scratch

I tried to give them my credit card and Costco card on the last cruise Janet. That would have made me feel MUCH safer, but they wouldn't take the darn thing!!!

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Scratch42]

I tried to give them my credit card and Costco card on the last cruise Janet. That would have made me feel MUCH safer, but they wouldn't take the darn thing!!!

Cheers,
Grumbo

If you want, I'll keep them safe and sound!

Of course I will need a letter stating that I can use them in case of emergency!



Scratch

 

[FayeW]

I've had the passport applications for the kids and I for several months, but I didn't apply because with the 5 yr expiration, I wanted to wait until I absolutely needed them. We are going back to WDW in Oct, so technically I still don't need to apply yet, but I think I will anyway in case they move up the deadline. I intended to get them anyway in case we had an opportunity to take a cheap, last minute trip somewhere that required passports. My husband already has one because he is a military member. He will have to surrender his and get a regular one when he leaves the military.

 

[nibab4]

December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.


If you read the details with every date that they posted there's only the one with the DEC. 2007 that says anything about land border crossing all others talk about air/sea travel only. Could that mean you could still drive across with a Birth cert. & drivers license?
This passport thing is quite upsetting for a lot of people but very understandable with all that's going on in the world. We have relatives in the US and my parents are now going to have to get passports in case they have to go over in an emergency situation.

J