Starting now, you officially need a passport -- and lots and lots of patience -- to cross the border. Indeed, as of June 1, 2009, Canadians who wish to enter the United States at its land or water crossings must present this document.
The new law not only applies to Canadian citizens but also to any non-Canadian living in the country. The same holds true for Americans who want to return home.
That said, for additional fees, Canadians can alternatively use enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) issued by their respective province, as these documents contain proof of Canadian citizenship. Some provinces also provide enhanced identification cards (EIC) for non-driving adults and citizens aged 12 and up.
Obviously, since the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) came into full effect just today, customs officers will be lenient in the next few weeks. However, don’t expect similar indulgence when summer vacations kick off.
Passport Canada witnessed a 41-percent increase in the number of applications over recent weeks to about 21,000 per day. It takes six to eight weeks for a passport to be delivered.
If you arrive at the Canada-US border without your passport of WHTI-compliant document, you can still get in. A one-time-only "grace period" will be granted provided that you fill in a couple of forms and produce other types of identification.
At your second omission, however, you’ll be asked to make a U-turn and come back another time with a valid passport.
As for children aged 16 and under, they’re only required to present proof of Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card, when entering the United States by land or water. If they’re travelling with a school or other organized group under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, they may also present proof of Canadian citizenship alone.
The new law not only applies to Canadian citizens but also to any non-Canadian living in the country. The same holds true for Americans who want to return home.
That said, for additional fees, Canadians can alternatively use enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) issued by their respective province, as these documents contain proof of Canadian citizenship. Some provinces also provide enhanced identification cards (EIC) for non-driving adults and citizens aged 12 and up.
Obviously, since the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) came into full effect just today, customs officers will be lenient in the next few weeks. However, don’t expect similar indulgence when summer vacations kick off.
Passport Canada witnessed a 41-percent increase in the number of applications over recent weeks to about 21,000 per day. It takes six to eight weeks for a passport to be delivered.
If you arrive at the Canada-US border without your passport of WHTI-compliant document, you can still get in. A one-time-only "grace period" will be granted provided that you fill in a couple of forms and produce other types of identification.
At your second omission, however, you’ll be asked to make a U-turn and come back another time with a valid passport.
As for children aged 16 and under, they’re only required to present proof of Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card, when entering the United States by land or water. If they’re travelling with a school or other organized group under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, they may also present proof of Canadian citizenship alone.