|
Stop the Confusion Over Passport Requirements |
|
|
|
Written by Wire
|
|
Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
As Canadians continue to scramble for their passports creating long lines and delays at passport offices across Canada, conflicting reports on the new American passport requirements are still causing confusion in Canadian and American citizens who plan to travel between the two countries.
President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Randy Williams considers confusion the biggest problem saying, "While the new passport requirement is a U.S. initiative, travellers on both sides of the border are required to comply", says Taylor who continues, " yet there is no clear communications strategy surrounding the program's modally staged implementation from either government."
As of January 23, 2007, all passengers traveling by air must show a valid passport when entering the U.S. However, travellers entering the U.S. at land border crossings do not require a passport; they can still cross the border with a birth certificate and driver's license.
The recent confusion and long delays come as no surprise to TIAC. The passport requirements were introduced in April 2005 as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and has been among the association's top priorities ever since. "TIAC and its partners have been advocating on both sides of the border for a smooth, well communicated implementation," says Williams.
The association continues to call on the Canadian and U.S. Governments to work together and allocate proper resources for a clear communications strategy on the new passport requirements.
The tourism industry on both sides of the border is concerned that potential visitors who are uncertain about passport requirements and burdened by the added cost of obtaining a passport, may decide not to travel at all. High passport costs will have an even greater impact on same-day travellers when the passport requirements are expanded to land and sea crossing some time before June 1, 2009.
"After January 23rd, it will still be easy and convenient for travellers to cross the border at land or sea crossings without a passport," says Chuck Loewen, General Manager of Peace Bridge Duty Free and Vice President of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA). "In light of the processing delays on both sides of the border, anyone planning on travel to the States in 2008 and beyond should prepare to apply for a passport soon."
Passport Canada has taken steps, such as hiring new staff and working overtime, to reduce processing times for passports; however, the sheer volume of applications is resulting in a delay of 5 to 20 business days in excess of its usual passport processing time.
To avoid the frustration of long wait times, anyone flying to the United States in the next 90 days should apply in person at the closest passport office; everyone else can apply by mail.
The U.S. passport requirements will be extended to marine points of entry and land border crossings sometime between January 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009. |
