USAToday reports passports not needed until 2008!

[Lew]

USAToday reports the following in the Friday, August 26, 2005 issue:

The U.S. State Department has backed off a Dec. 31 deadline that would have required Caribbean-, Bahamas- and Bermuda-bound Americans to carry passports instead of drivers' licenses or birth certificates...


...A State Department spokesman says a new passport schedule is expected next week and a 'firm deadline" of Jan. 1, 2008, still stands.


Here's a link to the article: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-08-25-passport-rules_x.htm

 

[Nik's Mom]

This is good news for some! We have our passports already, but I know quite a few people weren't happy about the passport rules. I know my Mom is about to purchase her passport for our cruise. I will be glued to this website next week for updates!

 

[dzneprincess]

Great ! Thanks for the link!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I may take advantage of one of the special rate sailings the DU has posted in Jan!

 

[stampinshauna]

Thanks for the update. My husband has a passport but I don't, now I can save that extra $90 for cruise stuff.

 

[imomtojd]

USAToday reports the following in the Friday, August 26, 2005 issue:

The U.S. State Department has backed off a Dec. 31 deadline that would have required Caribbean-, Bahamas- and Bermuda-bound Americans to carry passports instead of drivers' licenses or birth certificates...


...A State Department spokesman says a new passport schedule is expected next week and a 'firm deadline" of Jan. 1, 2008, still stands.


Here's a link to the article: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-08-25-passport-rules_x.htm

But that doesn't say when the new passport timeline will be, just that it won't be December 31, 2005. Until I see the amended timeline, I still don't feel secure about our June, 2006 cruise.

Lisa

 

[wltdsnyfan]

But that doesn't say when the new passport timeline will be, just that it won't be December 31, 2005. Until I see the amended timeline, I still don't feel secure about our June, 2006 cruise.

Lisa

Dito! We sail on a July 2006 cruise. Until I see it amended I won't be satisfied. I am still afraid if I don't get them they will change there mind again.

 

[SueEllen]

Keep in mind that the FINAL implementation date of this has been January 1, 2008 all along. The timeline for the first stage of this (Caribbean, etc.) was January 1, 2006--they have not yet determined if this will be changing as they have not released that new timeline.

Again, many cruise lines are still stating that Passports will be required for sailings starting January 1, 2006 (Including DCL) Even if the government does not have the timeline start January 1st for the first stage, the cruise lines are still able to keep the passport requirement.

I would suggest for anyone traveling in early 2006 to go ahead and get these as you can (staggering ordering for a family can ease the cost a little...that is what we did.)

Sue Ellen

 

[SueEllen]

from the Travel.state.gov website regarding passports (this was just copied from that site)

What is the new travel document requirement?

All travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Canada or Mexico will be required to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. This new requirement will be known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Who does this requirement affect?

All United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports will be affected.

Certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States, namely most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and Mexican citizens will also be affected.

When will the new travel initiative requirement be implemented?

The deadline for full implementation of the travel initiative requirements is January 1, 2008. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

How Do I get a passport?

U.S. citizens may visit the Passport section of this website for information on how to apply for a U.S. passport.

You should allow yourself a sufficient amount of time to apply and receive your passport in advance of travel. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing of U.S. passport applications.

Peak U.S. passport processing is between January and July. For faster service, we recommend applying between August and December.

Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain passports.

Other than a passport, what types of documents will be acceptable under this initiative?

The passport is the document of choice because of the incorporated advanced security features. Individuals traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico or Canada are encouraged to obtain a passport.

For land border crossings, other documents that we anticipate will be acceptable under this Initiative are SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST program cards. These are current international frequent traveler programs.

We anticipate that the Border Crossing Card (BCC – also known as “laser visa”) will also be acceptable as a substitute for a passport and a visa for citizens of Mexico traveling to the United States from contiguous territory.

No other document is currently available that will be an acceptable substitute for the passport, or the Border Crossing Card, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards. However, we are using new technologies to create other acceptable travel documents. We will make public additional travel document options as they become available.

Why is the U.S. Government going to require a passport or other secure identity document?

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States.

For many years U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canadians, have not been required to present a passport to enter the U.S. Other forms of documents, less secure than the passport, have historically been accepted.

In light of the new security efforts, the United States is requiring travelers to have a passport or other accepted document for entry into the United States.

Can the general public provide input into the planning and implementation the travel initiative requirements?

The Departments of State and Homeland Security will be asking for public comments on this initiative in the near future.

The government expects that acceptable documents must establish the citizenship and identity of the bearer through electronic data verification and will include significant security features. Ultimately, all documents used for travel to the United States are expected to include biometrics that can be used to authenticate the document and verify identity.

How will the new travel initiative requirements impact travel at the land borders?

The Departments of State and Homeland Security understand that the greatest potential change will occur at the land borders. The new statute specifically mandates that the concerns of border communities be considered. We recognize the implications this might have for industry, business and the general public, as well as our neighboring countries, and they are important partners in this initiative.

Will this requirement apply to travel between the United States and Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands?

Travel between the United States and U.S. territories will not be affected by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam will continue to be able to use established forms of identification to board flights and for entry.

If traveling outside of the United States or a U.S. territory, a passport or other secure document will be required. For example, a person may travel to and from the United States to the U.S. Virgin islands without a passport or other secure document, but under proposed regulations, a passport or other secure document would be required to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands from the British Virgin Islands or another country as of December 31, 2005

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Keep in mind that the FINAL implementation date of this has been January 1, 2008 all along. The timeline for the first stage of this (Caribbean, etc.) was January 1, 2006--they have not yet determined if this will be changing as they have not released that new timeline.

Again, many cruise lines are still stating that Passports will be required for sailings starting January 1, 2006 (Including DCL) Even if the government does not have the timeline start January 1st for the first stage, the cruise lines are still able to keep the passport requirement.

I would suggest for anyone traveling in early 2006 to go ahead and get these as you can (staggering ordering for a family can ease the cost a little...that is what we did.)

Sue Ellen

Sue Ellen! Thanks for the above info. I am just going to get them. I would rather be safe then sorry.

 

[tvguy]

I suspect however many of the cruise lines are going to require passports well before the deadline. Just not smart to travel outside the U.S. without a passport.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I can to the Passport dance cuz they came this week!!!

 

[LisaSp]

We are not cruising till March; we have passports but our kids did not. We just applied for ours today because once school starts it will be hard to get all of us at the Post Office together to apply. My parents are taking us on the cruise (yay!) so spending this $$$ was not a big issue--I am just looking at the $$$ spent as extra insurance that we will have no immigration hassles. The biggest bummer is that for young kids, they expire in 5 yrs instead of 10.

 

[Bethipooh4]

Thanks Sue Ellen,

I think after reading that, we are going to get ours anyway, just to be safe. I did like your idea of staggering them, so it doesn't hurt the wallet all at once.

Dh already has one, and we will get DS(15) his first before he hits 16...

 

[SuzieDizney]

Just applied for ours today!! After reading your posts Sue Ellen I'm glad I did I guess you could say I beat the rush!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My family will be going to The Atlantis in the Bahamas in May. DH has his passport, but me, ds and dd do not! To be safe, we will ALL get them for our trip next year. Then I don't have to worry about it for a while!

 

[wannabecruiser]

Just like everyone else I would rather be safe than sorry, we applied for ours the other day before ds had to start school. Now we will be all set when we go next May.

 

[alwayslisad]

I have the applications - so I fill them out - and all three of us go to the Post office w/ the forms and bring with us the legal documents they need ( has anyone had them LOST On them???? - birth certificates and such) and then they mail them out to the Passport place - and then the passports come in the mail and we get papers back? when do you do a pic?

maybe this is all told in the paperwork but I have not had time to read front to back on the forms.

 

[Regina]

Some passport locations can take your pictures. You should contact them first, (or check online) to see if they offer this. If not, you're required to bring the pictures with your application.

If you're near a WalMart or Penney's that has a photo studio, they can tak them there. I can't remember how much they were, but I believe it was between $12.00 - $15.00.

 

[LisaSp]

We did kids' pix at Rite Aid for $6.99 each. It is a bit disconcerting to have them take the birth certificates, but they DO send them back with the passports. DH and I had no trouble when we submitted ours, hoping the same will occur for DD and DS.

Make sure you don't SIGN the application till you are at the post office and take the vow.

 

[alwayslisad]

Thank you - so bring the pic with you - now someone said NO SMILING - is that correct?