
WHTI Revisions Would Ease Passport Restrictions for Student Travelers
February 27, 2007
WHTI Revisions Would Ease Passport Restrictions for Student Travelers
Feb. 27, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced its intent to propose, as part of the forthcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, significant flexibility regarding travel documents required for U.S. and Canadian children and youth as part of WHTI requirements for U.S. land and sea border entry in 2008.
As early as Jan. 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea will be required to present a valid passport or other WHTI compliant documents, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
The new proposal, which will be subject to public comment as part of the rulemaking process on the WHTI, would allow U.S. and Canadian citizens, ages 15 and younger, to cross the border at land and sea ports by presenting a certified copy of their birth certificate instead of a passport or other WHTI compliant identity card. U.S. and Canadian citizens that are 16-18 years old would also be able to cross the border, under adult supervision, with just a certified copy of their birth certificate if they are traveling with school groups, religious groups, social or cultural organizations or youth athletics teams.
"This is a key step that would make the passport regulations more friendly to the tourism industry, especially for those who work with student groups," said NTA Chairman and CEO Randy Julian. "NTA has consistently been working with government officials and legislators on this, and this proposal helps address some of our concerns."
To read the full text of the release, which also includes information on the proposed PASS card,