US International Travel Restrictions
If you are planning travel between US, Canada or Mexico by air or sea, be prepared to present your passport. The same rules apply for the Caribbean and Bermuda. If you are planning business travel, a ski trip, Spring Break, family vacation or warm weather excursion, be prepared to carry a federally recognized identification to enter the US, even if you are a US citizen. The same rules will apply to roads and land border crossings in 2008.
Beginning January 8, 2007 anyone traveling by air or sea to or from the United States and Canada or Mexico must carry a passport or other federally recognized identification to return to the United States.
These new rules also apply to U.S. citizens entering from Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
On January 1, 2008 the rules will be extended to all border crossings, including those on land. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.
Check your passport and make sure that
it is current, or get one if you do not have it already. Getting a
passport takes time. The Passport Services Office provides
information and services to American citizens about how to obtain,
replace or change a passport. A passport is an internationally
recognized travel document that verifies the identity and
nationality of the bearer. Only the U.S. Department of State has the
authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to
one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout
the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S.
citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a
driver’s license. This also applies if your passport has expired and
is not in your possession, if it was issued more than 15 years ago,
if it was issued when you were under 16 years of age, or if your
passport is being replaced because it was lost or stolen.
Plan ahead and allow at least eight to ten weeks to process your
request for a new Passport. All the more reason to make sure that
you have a current Passport now. You may have the opportunity or
need to travel, and may not have more than two months to wait for a
Passport. Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and
probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of
county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport
agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are
traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for
travel. Appointments are required to request expedited processing.
Passports can also be used as identification for domestic travel within the US. Tired of pulling out your wallet and Drivers License every time that you approach a ticket counter, security or gate check? You can keep your wallet, credit cards and cash in your pocket or purse and present your Passport instead. Many business travelers have learned the convenience of keeping their Passport in a convenient pouch with carry-on luggage to expedite the security identification verification process.
For a convenient list of Carry-On Restrictions, go to: http://www.executiveblueprints.com/pdf/2006_08_15_TSA_Travel_Tips.pdf
For more information on obtaining a US Passport, go to: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
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Words of Wisdom
"I wanna hang a map of the world in my house. Then I'm gonna put pins into
all the locations that I've traveled to. But first, I'm gonna have to travel to
the top two corners of the map so it won't fall down."
- Mitch Hedberg
"When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed
to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people
comfortable."
- Clifton Fadiman
"A man travels the world over
in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."
- George Moore
"When a gentleman leaves home, he
uses a lint brush to preserve his professional image. When a
gentleman returns home from Las Vegas, he uses a glitter brush to
preserve his professional image."
- Craig Marking
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About the Author:
John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of
Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving
business practices and developing human capital.
www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com provides resource materials for
trainers, sample Case Studies, educational articles and references
to local affiliates for consulting and executive coaching.
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trainers. Presentation materials, reference guides and exercises are
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