Want to go to the U.S.?

Ken Johnson

Have passport. Will travel.
On January 1, 2008 if you do not have a passport you will not be able to enter the United States.
Last week the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security announced that new rules will be phased in over the next couple of years that will eventually require Canadians and Americans seeking to enter/reenter the United States need to carry a more secure form of identification. The U.S. government’s preference for i.d. purposes will be a passport.
At present all that is required from travellers is that they present their driver’s license, birth certificate or other acceptable photo i.d. Officials from the U.S. feel that these forms of i.d. are not secure enough.
U.S. customs told the Record last week that every jurisdiction’s i.d. is different. That makes it more difficult for officers to determine the authenticity of the i.d. A passport is the same for everyone, hence the officers will only need to know one form of i.d.
The phase in period begins December 31, 2005 when all travellers by air and see to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America will need passports to get into the U.S.
The next phase takes effect Dec. 31, 2006 and will require all travellers by air and sea to or from Mexico and Canada to have passports.
Finally on Dec. 31, 2007 all air, sea and land travellers seeking entry into the U.S. will need passports.
While there are several frequent travel documents in use that are acceptable forms of i.d. such as NEXUS, FAST, SENTRI and Border Crossing Cards, all will be honoured by U.S. border crossings. The U.S. said they are also looking at using new technologies to create similar frequent i.d.s for travellers, especially in border areas like this one. However, no new programs have been unveiled at this time.
If there is no new easy way for locals to cross the border as readily as they do now, passports will be the only option. Some people are concerned at how that will impact programs like the minor hockey program in Baudette and Rainy River. Currently nearly kids cross the border daily to practise and play hockey all winter long as the two communities cooped their youth hockey programs several years ago.
To obtain a passport in Canada one can obtain the forms from the local post office or on line at www.ppt.gc.ca. They can be applied for via mail, on line or in person at one of many offices across the country. There is an office in Winnipeg and one in Thunder Bay. If you apply in person the government’s goal is to have your passport ready in 10 working days. If applying by mail they strive to get the passport back in the mail to you in 20 working days.
It costs $87 for a five year passport and applicants must also supply two photos meeting certain specifications. Identification proving Canadian citizenship will be required as will supporting i.d. Birth Certificates for the main i.d. are acceptable and supporting i.d. may be a driver’s license, health card, Firearms license, Old Age Security card, Certificate of Indian Status, etc.
Canadian officials have not announced that passports will be required for Canadians or Americans entering Canada, but there were hints that could be the case down the road.