Documents for entry into the United States

What is the Government of Canada doing?

The Government of Canada has strongly encouraged the United States to ensure that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is implemented with minimal impact on travel and trade at the border and without compromising local communities and the two countries' economic prosperity.

The Government of Canada has urged the U.S. government to take advantage of the time granted by the U.S. Congress, which has established land and water implementation for June 1, 2009. This time will enable the two governments to continue to collaborate closely on implementing the U.S. WHTI for land and water travel in a way that will address security while facilitating the flow of legitimate travellers and goods across the two countries' shared border.

A shared commitment to security and prosperity

A working group headed by senior officials of the Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is directing the work of Canadian and U.S. government representatives.

Canada is concerned about the economic and community impacts of the WHTI if it is implemented before travellers on both sides of the border have obtained approved, secure documents.

Identifying alternative documents

Canada is working with the United States to ensure that the WHTI's implementation increases security at the border without compromising the flow of legitimate trade and travel.

On account of the Government of Canada's efforts, the United States has accepted, in principle, enhanced identification cards/enhanced driver's licences as alternative documents to present instead of a passport when entering the United States by land and water.

The Government of Canada's efforts have also resulted in Canadian citizens 15 years of age and under being allowed to present only proof of citizenship, such as an original or a copy of a birth certificate or a Canadian citizenship card, to enter the United States by land and water. Travellers 18 years of age and under in approved adult-supervised groups will also be permitted to present only proof of citizenship.