Upcoming US entry requirements

[Amberle3]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-02-16-border-travel_x.htm

Summary: By Jan 1, 2008 both US and Canadian travellers will need either a valid passport or a "federally" issued ID card linked to the US Homeland Security Database in order to enter or exit the US.

I'm assuming that the ID card would be US issued, and there's no information right now on if the card would be available to Canadians (I'm assuming not).

Passports for adults are valid for 5 years and cost $85. Assuming that the government is on schedule with implementing the new requirements, you can bet there's going to be a huge rush for passports during the latter part of 2007.

So for people who have been debating on whether or not to get a passport - go ahead and get one. A passport obtained now will still be valid in 2008 and you won't be one of the mass of people rushing to get one. Plus it avoids any increase in price between now and then.

 

[calena]

This is so ridiculous! It just makes me so aggravated. I am a landed immigrant, US Citizen, and hubby is a Canadian. We travel about twice a year to the US, or more. Our kids are "both." After Sept 11 we landed immigrants have to have these special "permanent resident" photo ID cards issued by the Canadian Government or we can't fly in and out of the country. That too comes at a cost of $50 plus all the documentation, pix etc. It is good for five years. So, I will be applying for citizenship instead of having this document which is really only good in Canada for anything.
The sad thing is this extra security will not stop anyone who wants to get anywhere for a sinister purpose. It will just make life more anoying and expensive for the rest of us.
BTW - US passports are good for 10 years. I think Canada should go that way too! I will be getting US passports for the kids!

 

[Amberle3]

I can't really blame either country for wanting to tighten security. We're a little spoiled, really, having had such free access to another country for so long.

As for the 5yr vs 10 yr on the passports, actually I don't think that 5 years is all that unreasonable. People's looks can change quite a bit in 5 years, even more so in 10 years. If it makes it easier for the folks at the border to make sure the person in the picture is the one standing in front of them, I'm all for it.

 

[totalia]

I think I will refrain from commenting on this except to say, I hate that crap.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We have passports and have had them for quite some time. To me it's piece of mind when travelling for a very slight cost. Each country has the right to set the requirements for entry into it. If the US is going to require a passport for everyone (including their own citizens) to enter or re-enter their country that's fine by me. It's my choice to travel there and I have to play by their rules so to speak.

 

[maryliz]

I will admit that I was one who put off getting passports until just last fall, because I thought it was a load of garbage to have to spend that kind of money. I will say that I am glad to have them now, and it made going through airport security in January much, much easier. However, and I've said it before ... I paid for passports for my kids and went through the trouble of getting their photos ("no, DON'T smile for THIS picture) ... darn it all, please someone LOOK at them so I don't feel I wasted my time and money

I totally agree with what cdnmickeylover said ... if I want to go there, I have to play by their rules.

Thanks Amberle for posting ... I guess we'll see if it truly comes to fruition come 2008

MaryLiz

 

[Amberle3]

Thanks Amberle for posting ... I guess we'll see if it truly comes to fruition come 2008

Well at least this time they actually have a firm date that's been published/released to sources outside the travel industry. That makes me think they're planning on sticking to that date.

I use my passport all the time when travelling, even if it's just within Canada. It just makes things so much easier. I've actually had trouble using my drivers license before - Manitoba has 2-part paper licenses, with the photo separate from the actual license. When going through the border at places other than Manitoba I've actually had to explain that no, it's not a temporary license, this is all we get, no plastic cards here.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

Do Children need to have a passport too, or just the adults? I have 4 kids so that will be big $$ if we ALL need it..

 

[wee-haggis]

Children do need their own passport. I just renewed ours recently. Europe, Britain and the US are 10 year renewals I really would like Canada to change theirs to 10 years also. I don't mind paying double the fee up front if we could get rid of the hassle to renew. It is not a minor inconvenience and with everyone moving around so much it is hard to find a notary who has known you for 2 years. Please please please change the renewal to every 10 years.
Rant over.

 

[mbb]

We have passports and have had them for quite some time. To me it's piece of mind when travelling for a very slight cost. Each country has the right to set the requirements for entry into it. If the US is going to require a passport for anyone (including their own citizens) to enter or re-enter their country that's fine by me. It's my choice to travel there and I have to play by their rules so to speak.

ITA

I'm proud to carry my Canadian passport. (Insert smilie flag waving graphic here)

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Have to agree with you mbb - it actually gives me a thrill to pull out the Cdn passport and use it for id. I'm proud to be a Canadian and am not afraid to point that out.

 

[pooksma]

As my soon to be 4yrold DS puts it " This means I'm Canada's right Mom?"

On a similar line, who signs his passport? The Canadian Gvt told us not to sign because he was 3 at age of issue. Then when we landed in Boston, the customs guy gave us grief because they said one of us should sign it. We still havent-made it back ok too. Any thoughts?

 

[maryliz]

As my soon to be 4yrold DS puts it " This means I'm Canada's right Mom?"

On a similar line, who signs his passport? The Canadian Gvt told us not to sign because he was 3 at age of issue. Then when we landed in Boston, the customs guy gave us grief because they said one of us should sign it. We still havent-made it back ok too. Any thoughts?

I remember reading that if the child wasn't old enough to sign, to leave it blank. Which makes sense, since they are good for 5 years. While my 7 yr old couldn't sign her name (written) last fall, she certainly will be able to before the passport expires. I would think that you could end up with more hassles by signing the passport when you shouldn't have. And if any US customs officer ever told me this, I'd politely ask him to get Canada Customs on the phone before I did anything that might nullify the document. I don't remember it being totally clear, which of course is just our own gov'ts fault. Especially since children right now don't even need passports to travel to the US.

MaryLiz