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Passport Requirements Relaxed!
U.S. Citizens with pending passport applications allowed
temporary travel flexibility
within western hemisphere.
The U.S.
Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June
7, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico,
the Caribbean, and Bermuda
who have
applied for but not yet received passports
can
nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United
States by air with a government issued photo
identification and Department of State official proof of
application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The
federal government is making this accommodation for air
travel due to longer than expected processing times for
passport applications in the face of record-breaking
demand.
Who is
affected?
This accommodation is available to Americans traveling by
air and returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda. U.S. citizens who take advantage of this
accommodation will need to present the official proof of
passport application to air carriers and to Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) officers at air ports of entry*.
Such individuals may be subject to secondary inspection.
Adults who have applied for but not yet received a
passport should present government-issued photo
identification and an official proof of application from
the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16
traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be
permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application.
What will be
acceptable proof of application for a passport?
A print-out of the online status check accessed at http://travel.state.gov/passport
showing an application has been received by the Department
of State.
NOTE:
A passport receipt
from the local post office or passport agency will not be
accepted.
What about
people who haven’t yet applied for a passport?
Travelers who have not applied for a passport should
NOT
expect
to be accommodated.
How long will
these relaxed rules be in place?
Through September 30, 2007.
More FAQs available at the U.S. Department of State’s
Website:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3254.html
U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can
obtain proof of application at:
http://travel.state.gov.
Customers may track the progress of their application
within
one week
after their application arrives in the processing office.
*Please note that government imposed entry requirements in
destination still apply. For travel to Mexico, a
certified, state-issued birth certificate with a raised
seal along with a government issued photo ID. For travel
to Jamaica, you will be required to present a passport.
Funjet is looking into whether or not any of these
requirements will be adjusted, and will keep you informed.
Are you traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama,
Mexico, or Canada in
2007?
International Travel Requirements
All Travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the America's, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will soon be required to have a passport that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.
The timeline is as follows:
- Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, 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.
- As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, 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.
New Applicants for a U.S. Passport:
To obtain a passport for the first time, you are required to
go in person to a passport acceptance facility such as a
post office, some public libraries and a number of county
and municipal offices. The passport fee for age 16 and
older is approximately $55 with a security surcharge of $12
and an execution fee of $30 for a total cost of
approximately $97. These prices may vary for each
state. The processing time is usually 6 weeks.
Items to have when applying for a passport:
-
Proof of citizenship such as "certified" copy of birth certificate which has a state seal. If you do not have a certified copy, you may contact the Vital Statistics Office in the state you were born.
-
Two photos of applicant. These may be obtained at numerous photography shops. Check the yellow pages for a photographer offering "Passport Photos".
-
A valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license.
-
Legal documentation of name change, if applicable (i.e.: marriage license).
If
you have any questions or for more information, please contact your travel
agent or a good website for information is:
www.travel.state.gov and click on
the passports link. Or for more information on the initiative and how
it may affect you, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's
website www.dhs.gov.