New Air Travel Passport Rules Take Effect Today

Starting today, Jan. 23, 2007, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.

As of today, all U.S. citizens returning to the United States by air from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, will be required to display their passports to re-enter the United States.

Active members of the U.S. military are exempt, as well as persons carrying NEXUS Air cards, U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariners and persons with permanent resident green cards.

While the new passport requirement applies only to air travel at this time, 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 may be required to present a valid passport or other documents when entering or re-entering the United States.

Complete details on the new passport requirement can be found on this Transportation Security Administration Web page.