Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

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BACKGROUND

• The WHTI is a U.S. legislated requirement for entry into the U.S. stemming from the 9/11 Commission Report and the (U.S.) Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (2004)

• Requires all travellers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a passport or other approved secure document that establishes citizenship and identity when entering the U.S.

• This law does not affect entry requirements into Canada

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WHTI – Air Mode

• Since January 23, 2007, all Canadian citizens must present one of the following valid documents for travel to, through, or from the U.S. by air:

• passport; or

• NEXUS card when used at kiosks at designated airports for entry into the U.S.

• NEXUS card when returning to Canada from the U.S. at any U.S. airport.

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WHTI Land & Water

• Phased implementation commenced January 31, 2008 until May 31, 2009.

• As of June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens must present one of the following valid documents:

• a passport; • a NEXUS card• a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card; or• an EDL/EIC, in provinces and territories where U.S. approved programs

are implemented.

• for those 15 years old and under, only proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a citizenship card); or

• for those 18 years old and under travelling with school or other organized groups, under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, only proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a citizenship card).

• The Government of Canada is seeking approval from the U.S. to accept the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status as a WHTI-compliant document.

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Passport Canada Update

• The WHTI Air Rule resulted in exceptional demand for passports in Canada

• As of today, passport offices can process in-person applications within 2 weeks plus delivery time

• It may take up to 4 weeks to process applications sent by mail within Canada

• New, simplified process for passport renewals and simplified guarantor policy were implemented in the fall of 2007

• For more information, please visit www.pptc.gc.ca.

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Alternative Documents: NEXUS

• NEXUS meets the requirements of WHTI and is an alternative document to a passport for Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by air, land and water.

• NEXUS is a joint Canada/U.S. initiative designed to expedite the border clearance process for low risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the U.S.

• NEXUS members can benefit from dedicated lanes by land, self-service kiosks by air and telephone reporting in advance of arrival for boaters in the marine mode

• The cost of NEXUS is $50 CAD/USD

• For more information: www.nexus.gc.ca

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NEXUS Sites

NEXUS Marine – covers all Canada / US waterways

Montreal

Ottawa

Halifax

Winnipeg

Edmonton

NEXUS Air

Toronto Lacolle QC / Champlain NY St. Armand-Philipsburg QC /

Highgate Springs VT

NEXUS Highway

Windsor ON / Detroit MI The Ambassador Bridge The International Tunnel

Niagara ON / Niagara NY The Whirlpool Bridge The Peace Bridge The Rainbow Bridge

Pacific Highway BC / Blaine WA Boundary Bay BC / Point Roberts WA Douglas BC / Peace Arch WA

Sarnia ON / Port Huron MI The Bluewater Bridge

CalgaryVancouver

Emerson MB / Pembina, ND

Sault Ste. Marie, ON / Sault. Ste. Marie, MI

Woodstock, NB / Houlton, ME

NEXUS Ports of entry

Coutts AB / Sweetgrass MT

Fort Frances, ON / International Falls MN

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Alternative Documents: Free and Secure Trade (FAST)

• FAST meets the requirements of WHTI and is an alternative document to a passport for Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by land and water only

• FAST is a joint Canada/U.S. commercial initiative to expedite the movement of authorised goods across the border and is available at 21 land border crossings

• The cost of FAST is $50 CAD/USD

• For more information:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/fast-expres/menu-eng.html

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Alternative Documents: EDL/EIC

The Government of Canada’s cooperation and negotiations with the U.S. have led to acceptance of the EDL/EIC as an alternative to the passport in the land and water modes.

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Alternative Documents: EDL/EIC

• The EDL/EIC are secure documents for Canadian and U.S. citizens denoting citizenship and identity that meet the requirements for travel to the U.S. by land and water only

• The U.S. will review each province, territory and state’s EDL/EIC proposal to ensure that they meet WHTI standards

• The EDL/EIC contains Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) that will facilitate crossing the U.S. border

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PT EDL/EIC Issuance Status

Province / Territory

Implementation Date EDL EIC Comment

ManitobaLaunched

January 19, 2009 X

Fall 2009 X

Quebec Launched March 2009 X

British Columbia

Launched April 6, 2009 X X Phase One January 2008

Ontario Spring 2009 X

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U.S. State EDL/EIC Issuance Status

State Implementation Date EDL EIC Comment

Washington State Launched January 2008 X X

Michigan April 2009 (date TBD) X

New York Launched September 2008 X X

Vermont Launched December 2008 X

Arizona TBD XCurrently working on Business

Plan

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Alternative Documents:Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)

• The CIS is an official form of identification issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to a person who is registered as an Indian under the provisions of the Indian Act.

• Under the transitional provisions in place until May 31, 2009, the U.S. will accept the current CIS card.

• We are negotiating with the U.S. DHS for the new Secure CIS to receive approval as a WHTI-compliant document.

• INAC expects to have the new SCIS available for issuance in time for the implementation of WHTI in June 2009.

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U.S. Passport Card

• The U.S. has developed a wallet-sized Passport Card available to U.S. citizens only and valid for land and water travel only

• Production of cards began July 14, 2008.

• Approximately 870,000 passport cards in circulation today.

• The Passport Card contains the same data as a passport.

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A Closer Look at WHTI Compliant Documents

Features Canadian Passport

U.S. Passport

NEXUS FAST EDL U.S. Passport Card

Cost (Adult) $87.00 CDN $100.00 US

$50.00 CDN/US $50.00 CDN/US TBD by issuing jurisdictional authorities

With valid U.S. passport: $20

First time applicants: $45

US

Validity (Adult) 5 years 10 years 5 years 5 years Same validity as current DL (TBD)

10 years

Availabilityfed/prov/terr/state)

Canada U.S. Canada & U.S. Canada & U.S. Prov/Terr/ State U.S. only

RFID No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Travel mode All All All Land & Water Land & Water Land & Water

Eligibility Canadian Citizens

U.S. Citizens

Low risk U.S. & Canadian

Citizens & PRs

Low risk U.S. & Canadian

Citizens & PRs

Canadian & U.S. Citizens

U.S. Citizens

Dedicated lane/ Kiosk

No No Yes Yes No No

Destinations (Canada/ U.S./ International)

International International

Canada & U.S. Canada & U.S. Canada & U.S. Canada & U.S.

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What is Canada doing?

• Our Government has been working to ensure that legitimate trade and travel across our borders are not interrupted as a result of the U.S. WHTI

• CBSA will continue to inform external stakeholders, partners and public of these document requirements and new developments

• CBSA will ensure that Border Services Officers in Canada are provided with timely information on new WHTI compliant documents coming into circulation.

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Port of Entry Tear-Away

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Questions?

• For more information on WHTI, please visit:www.cbsa.gc.ca

• For more information on U.S. travel requirements, please visit:

www.dhs.gov www.cbp.gov www.knowyourborder.gov www.getyouhome.gov • For more information on obtaining a Canadian

passport, please visit: www.pptc.gc.ca