New border crossing requirements go into effect June 1, 2009
On June 1, 2009, new document requirements go into effect at land and sea ports for entry into the United States. Pursuant to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative ("WHTI") an individual may show one of the following documents in order to be admitted into the United States:
- U.S. or Canadian passport;
- Trusted Traveler Card (Nexus, Sentri, or Fast/Express);
- U.S. passport card;
- State or province issued enhanced driver's license.
California does not issue "enhanced driver's licenses." (Enhanced driver's licenses contain multiple levels of security features.) It is no longer possible after June 1, to travel to Canada and expect to return with just a California driver's license. You must therefore have proof of citizenship as indicated above or proof of lawful permanent residence (i.e., "green card"), or proof of some other kind of non-immigrant status in order to be able to return to the United States.
For more information about the document requirements, please see my previous post on "Free travel widget helps plan trips abroad and return to the United States." You may also go the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website on WHTI to obtain further information.
