Effective January 23, 2007 all Canadian and American travellers will require a passport or other valid ID to enter the US by air.

The new regulations could cause delays and unexpected financial expenses for travellers, as Canadians entering or transiting the United States by air without appropriate documentation will be prevented from boarding their flight.

Under the United States' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Canadian citizens will be required to use one of the following documents to entering or transiting through the United States by air:

• A valid Canadian passport;
• A valid U.S. Merchant Mariner Document;
• A NEXUS Air card when used at a NEXUS Air kiosk; or
• A North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) identification card, when accompanied by current NATO orders.

The same requirements will come into effect for land and see travel as early as January 1, 2008, and no later than June 1, 2009. The exact date of implementation will depend on when the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security meet certain conditions set out by the United States Congress on technology, infrastructure, and training for border officers.

Canadians are urged to obtain the appropriate required documentation before leaving Canada and the Government of Canada continues to recommend that Canadians carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits to the United States.

Source: Canadian Embassy

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to visit CanadaOne's article knowledge base for more informative articles.