FACT SHEET

What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)?

This initiative establishes document requirements for travel

by land or sea into the United States from Canada, Mexico,

the Caribbean and Bermuda. Travel between the U.S.,

Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is not affected.

Who does the travel initiative affect?

It affects United States, Canadian and Bermudian

citizens entering the United States by land or sea.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to

implement the statutory mandates of the Intelligence

Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA).

WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers

entering the United States who were previously exempt,

including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

What is the goal of requiring secure documents?

The goal is to strengthen border security while

facilitating entry into the United States for U.S.

citizens and legitimate international travelers, making

What types of documents are accepted June 1, 2009

• U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport;

Passport Card; Enhanced Driver’s License; Trusted

Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST);

or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.

• U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of

16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious

group, or other youth group) need only present a

birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth

certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy.

• WHTI does not affect U.S. Lawful Permanent

Residents, who are still required to present their

permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other

valid evidence of permanent residence status.

present a passport with visa, or a Border Crossing Card.

• U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin

and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the

United States with a birth certificate and government-

issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be

required to present a passport to enter the countries

your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise

line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Land and Sea Travel Document Requirements

(EDL) that fulfills WHTI

at any land or sea

port of entry – not just at

states. DHS has worked closely with the government

of Canada to develop similar documents for

Canadian citizens; British Columbia, Manitoba,

international travel

document is a

card-format

passport. It is

acceptable for

entry into the

United States by U.S. citizens through land and sea

ports of entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and

Bermuda. Visit www.travel.state.gov to apply for a

Passport Card.

What if I don’t have the required documents when I

travel to or return to the United States?

Travelers without WHTI-compliant documents are likely

to be delayed at the border as CBP officers work to verify

identity and citizenship.

Does WHTI affect travel document requirements

for entry into other countries?

No. WHTI concerns entry into the U.S. Each country has

its own travel document requirements. We recommend

that travelers always check with the country they are