Reminder: Passport Flexibility Accommodation for Air Travel Ended September 30

October 12, 2007

by USA.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds air carriers and military personnel that the temporary Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative accommodation allowing U.S. citizens to travel by air within the Western Hemisphere using a Department of State official proof of passport application receipt ended, as scheduled, at midnight Sunday, Sept. 30.

Military personnal who departed the country under this travel accommodation prior to Oct. 1 with a Department of State official proof of passport application receipt and government-issued identification will be readmitted with these same documents if returning to the United States after Sept. 30.

The federal government made this accommodation in June due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

As of October 1, U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States. It is also strongly recommended that military personnel verify the specific documentary requirements for their destination country prior to leaving.

Passports are required as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which was enacted by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. This law addresses core 9/11 Commission findings for secure and reliable identification documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures. Military personnel flying to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean will need to present a passport (the temporary accommodation, which allowed citizens to present a photo ID and proof of passport application, ended on September 30, 2007).

For more information on the latest travel requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State. You can also check the status of your passport application.