When will it be necessary to have a passport to enter Canada?

Question

I've heard that *soon,* American citizens will need a passport to cross the Canadian border. When is this supposed to be happening?

As of now, you only need a picture ID and a birth certificate.

Oh...yes...I meant traveling by car.

Answer 1

Traveling by air, you need a passport as of 1/23.

By land or sea, probably next January (08). It's not definitely set yet.

Answer 2

Passport requirement to enter the United States
Beginning January 23, 2007,[2] 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, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

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 or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The new passport requirement will affect citizens of Canada, who currently only need to show identification (usually a driver's licence) and proof of Canadian citizenship (usually a birth certificate) upon request to enter the United States. It is expected that the demand for passports will increase in light of the new policy.

In response to this policy, the Canadian government enacted a new rule stating that most Americans will also require a passport to enter Canada, though they, like Canadians, would also need a passport to reenter the United States.

Answer 3

U.S. travelers flying to Canada, Mexico or much of the Caribbean must carry a valid passport beginning Jan. 23. That means families headed to the Bahamas for Easter, college students intent on spend ing spring break in Cancun and honeymooners destined for the beaches of St. Lucia must all be certain the passport application process gets added to their trip- planning to-do list. The regulation does not apply to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, since they're American territories.

Answer 4

The law was proposed by Homeland Security back in 2005.. the President didn't feel it was a good idea. Canada was insensed that their RCMP couldn't handle the job on the border with just drivers's licenses and was going to do the same on their side of the border if the US imposed that law.
Personally I think it might be a good idea if we all get them if we plan to travel anywhere outside the US. They cost about 169.00 right now and you know that is going to go up as the years pass by I don't think renewal costs as much.

Answer 5

If you are entering the country by air, I think it's sometime this month. That might also apply to boats, but not sure. I do know, however, that if you are entering by land you don't need a passport until 1 Jan, 2008.

Answer 6

Canada would not require that you've a passport, your driving force's license and different identity are sufficient. the U. S. is the only requiring the passport to go back on your usa, and sure, you've until eventually next summer season to get one.

Answer 7

If you're traveling by car then January of 2008, otherwise you will need a passport as of today.

Answer 8

I, too, was under the impression that it already is but haven't tried to visit Canada (or Mexico either for that matter) recently.

Answer 9

23rd of this month... I just put my girlfreind on a plane back to B.C. yesterday morning and thats what they said

Answer 10

yes , I thought that this also was necessary.You might be referring to Celine Dion.I have heard that Canadians don't want her back.