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Canadians Flying to The United States Will Require Valid Passports in 2007 |
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Written by Wire Services
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Thursday, 16 November 2006 |
Canada's airports are advising U.S.-bound travellers that a new passport requirement for U.S. travel by air will come into effect this January. Starting this January 8th, all passengers to the U.S. will require a valid passport or a NEXUS Air card.
"Due to several delays in the passport requirement for U.S. entry, including a recent final delay for U.S. travellers arriving by land and sea, there may be confusion among air travellers about whether or not they will need a passport to travel to the U.S. this winter," said Canadian Airports Council (CAC) President and CEO Jim Facette. "With the requirement now final, the answer is clear: Starting Jan. 8, all those who are U.S.-bound and travelling by air will require a passport or NEXUS Air card."
In addition to U.S.-destined travellers, the new requirement also will affect travellers transiting the U.S. This may impact some vacationers who may not even realize they will be travelling through the U.S. "Canada's airports urge travellers with plans to go south this winter, to check their itineraries for possible U.S. connections and ensure the new U.S. passport requirement doesn't ruin their vacation plans," said Mr. Facette.
The only acceptable alternative to a passport for entry to the U.S. after Jan. 8 is the NEXUS Air card - an electronic card program that allows pre-screened travellers to use an electronic kiosk instead of passing through immigration and customs officer lines after paying a one-time fee and undergoing a background check. Currently only available for air travel into the U.S. through Vancouver International Airport, the federal government last spring announced plans to expand the program to all of Canada's eight largest airports by the end of 2007.
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