Requirements for Travelers – Canada

[PCFrog]

If I read this right this can affect those who wish to cache in Canada. I bring this up since it is the closest country for us to cache in. By this it seems that all U.S. Citizens (Kids as well) who whish to go to Canada must have a passport.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

It does say “or other secure, accepted document” but i found that to be ” the BCC, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards are under active consideration as substitutes for the passport. “

Here is a link for those wanting more information and to check if I read this right.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

[Folk Trakers]

Although this Act is fairly new with implementation not yet fully in place, my parents ran into this ‘requirement’ several years ago on vacation. Not thinking anything of it, they travelled to visit family in Canada in the 1990s without their passports or birth certificates. At the airport upon their return, they wouldn’t let them come back. They tried to show their social security cards and Wisconsin Driver’s Licenses, but they wanted a birth certificate or passport. After several minutes of pleading and speaking to many supervisors, they were allowed to fly in.

Mr. Traker is in Canada right now on business and you better believe I reminded him to take his passport. Although it was tempting not to tell him so he couldn’t come back. 😈 JK

[cacheseekers]

We just got back from a cruise to the Caribbean 2 weeks ago. In preperation for the cruise we were informed that Passports -will- be required after Decemeber 31st, 2006 for re-entry the US. Canada etc are all included with that requirement. We were urged to get our Passports by our travel agency as soon as possible if we plan on anymore trips outside of the US.

[kidatheart]

December 31, 2006 is the deadline to have an acceptable travel document in your possession for entry into the US, but I cann’t believe that AMERICANS would not be let into the country when they are arriving ❗ but I have seen AMERICANS have a hard time proving who they are without any documentation. Getting on the plane would be a different matter as airlines get fined when individuals do not have the legally required travel documents to enter a country.

One thing to remember that the laws of canada are different from here…a friend got refused entry into canada for simply having a drunk driving arrest, no conviction, just an arrest. He was told to get a waiver from the Canadian Embassy in the US.

I wonder if Canada is going to make it more strict to enter their country ❓

[Astro_D]

We went to Canada last year with our six year old son. We needed valid ID for the adults. I used my passport (highly recommended) but officials did accept hubby’s DL with birth certificate. And we definitely needed a birth certificate for our son. Our son was asked questions, that we could not interfere with. But it wasn’t a big issue. We waited longer in line to get in/out of the country than having our citizenship checked.

[kbraband]

Mary and I are in Canada right now. At the Milwaukee airport on Thursday, I discovered that my passport expired 2 months ago. The Northwest Airlines travel agent in Milwaukee had to go online to check my records but since I had a passport (even though it was expired) I was approved to fly to Canada. As someone said, the law to have either a passport or birth certficate goes into stringent effect at the end of this year. Right now it’s a travel recommendation.

[rubeeslpr]

I am a travel agent. Please know also that you may not even be allowed to travel with your UNEXPIRED passport, if it is within 6 months from expiring. You should be advised not to let renewal wait until the last minute. Do it before it is within the 6 months from expiration.

Happy Travels!

[Folk Trakers]

The problems I’ve heard and experienced were with the “return to US” part of the Canada trips, not the getting into Canada part. Ken–I hope you have no issues in trying to come home!

[kbraband]

me too!

[Mama Fishcacher]

@Folk Trakers wrote:

The problems I’ve heard and experienced were with the “return to US” part of the Canada trips, not the getting into Canada part. Ken–I hope you have no issues in trying to come home!

That’s what happened to me 4 yrs ago when ds and I went to Sault Ste. Marie – No problem entering Canada, all sorts of hassle getting back home. 😉

[litleflrt]

Chaumer and I spent a month in Canada last year for his company and we looked into getting our passports before we went and it was going to take something like 6 to 8 weeks to get them. We only found out about the trip 3 weeks before we went so it didn’t pay for us to get them. But if you are planning on getting a passport check into how long it will take to get it before you leave.

[Buy_The_Tie]

@litleflrt wrote:

Chaumer and I spent a month in Canada last year for his company and we looked into getting our passports before we went and it was going to take something like 6 to 8 weeks to get them. We only found out about the trip 3 weeks before we went so it didn’t pay for us to get them. But if you are planning on getting a passport check into how long it will take to get it before you leave.

In the past, you could head down south of the border to Chicago and get a passport in one day. Don’t know if that holds true today (post 9/11).

[kbraband]

We made it home fine from Canada last night. No hassles at all despite my expired passport, but I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. I’m definately going to get my passport renewed right away.

[greyhounder]

I was just at the Dane County Department of Vital Records today. Passports are taking 6-8 weeks on average these days (don’t know about the special Chicago-style passports though).

Bec

[PolskaQueen]

The PolskaFamily will be traveling to Canada next year, so I’ve checked out the OFFICIAL government web page: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

As I read it, air and water entries to Canada NOW require passport. Land entries are still valid with birth certificate and ID. As of Dec. 31 2007, even land entries will require passport.

It sounds like the US will be developing some sort of national ID that will act as a passport for Canada/Mexico crossings (only) for US citizens.

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