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Passport Rules Change January 23: Get the Facts

Be ready: Starting January 23, all persons, including U.S. citizens, who are entering or re-entering the United States and traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central, and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, will be required to present a valid passport.

Since September 11, 2001, documentation rules for travelers have been getting more stringent; almost everywhere you go, it's becoming necessary to carry your passport or other accepted proof of citizenship. At this rate, it's probably going to be nearly impossible to travel without a passport soon, regardless of where you're going, so now is the time to get one. Although you may not think you need one if you usually only travel within North America, that's changed. In 2006 the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 was amended, and now there are new requirements under the newly created Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. There are two phases.

For phase one, as of January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, who are entering or re-entering the United States and traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central, and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document. The date was initially changed in August from January 1 to January 8, in order to accommodate holiday travel, according to the office of the spokesman for Department of State (see Homeland Security's press release here). For those of you keeping score at home, unless my math is wrong, this is the third time the date of implementation has changed.

The government's public comment period has ceased for phase two's initiative, which stipulates that as early as January 1, 2008, all persons traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries) may be required to present a valid passport or other documents "as determined by Homeland Security." These government agencies are considering the implementation of a wallet-sized Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS card), a limited use passport card to be used for travel only by land or by sea (including ferries but not cruise ships) for travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America. According to a statement issued by the State Department, the PASS card was designed "to facilitate the frequent travel of those living in U.S. land border communities and those traveling on commercial maritime vessels."

The proposed card will feature long-range radio frequency (RF) technology, which will link it up to a secure government database, complete with your biographical information and photograph. The proposed card will cost $10 for children 16 and under (good for five years) and $20 for adults (valid for ten years), plus a $25 execution fee. The data printed on the face of the PASS card will be the same as that shown on the data page of a U.S. passport -- your photograph, full name, date and place of birth, passport card number, dates of validity and issuing authority.

If you are filing a new application for a U.S. passport for the first time, you will need to go in person to one of the 7,000 facilities located across the country, with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship and a valid photo I.D., such as a driver's license.

The travel industry is aware of these impending changes, and some destinations and companies are offering as many incentives as possible to bring travelers changes. Book It (tel. 888/782-9722; www.bookit.com) is still offering a "Free Pass" Passport sale for qualifying guests. The company will cover the cost of a passport if you book a vacation package or hotel stay of five nights or more at select properties in the Caribbean and Mexico for travel between January 1 and April 30, 2007. Upon booking you will receive a rebate up to $97 per person to cover passport fees. You must book the trip during the month of November. You must provide proof that your passport was purchased on or after November 1, 2006 and children can participate, too, as long as they do not qualify for a "kids stay free" promotion at the hotel you choose. In other words, as long as their stay is paid for. You get the rebate as long as you send in the form within 30 days of completing your travel.

Jamaica, too, is still offering its "Passport to Rewards" program, and participating resorts will provide services and amenities equal to or greater than the $97 that adults ($82 for children) cost of a new U.S. passport. The Jamaica Tourist board website has all the details and list of its eighteen participating resorts. The deals only apply to new passport holders and only if your first port of entry is Jamaica. You can redeem your credit for a variety of items, including a hotel room upgrade, spa services, golf green fees, late check outs and more. And one final word, if you're still on the fence: It's a wise habit to take your passport with you even if you're just traveling within the United States -- it doesn't get lost as easily as your driver's license and you can stick your plane (or train) ticket in the middle of it, too. Despite what spy movies might suggest, passports are an indisputable form of identification.

For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov. You can see all the nitty-gritty, including downloadable PDF files by clicking here.

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