If not and you are planning to travel to the U.S., you have a problem. As of June 1, 2009 citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the 17 nations of the Caribbean Region are now required to have passports or other approved secure documents when entering the United States by ground, air, or sea. This is certainly a change from the days that Canadians could travel to the U.S. with a birth certificate or any form of picture identification. Passports have been required for entry into the U.S. by air for the last year with photo identification valid for ground entry points, but, those days are over. Why? According the U.S. Department of State “The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States. The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler”.

The only forms of approved secure documents that will allow you to enter the United States are:
•    Valid passport
•    NEXUS card
•    Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card
•    Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)/Enhanced Identification card

What is a NEXUS card?

NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travelers into Canada and the United States. The fee is $50.00 Canadian. Apply for NEXUS here . The NEXUS card is a cheaper alternative to a passport for Canadians who are certain that they won’t be traveling to the U.S. by air. In addition, there are dedicated NEXUS lanes at ground border crossings, greatly reducing your wait times.

What is a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card?

The FAST program is available for drivers, carriers, importers who are identified as low risk. The fee is $50.00 Canadian. Apply here.

What is an Enhance Driver’s License (EDL)/Enhanced Identification Card?

It is an acceptable document to present when entering the United States by land and water only. Apply for an EDL here. The fee is $40.00 plus the cost of a driver’s license, making the cost of a Canadian Passport cheaper and a better deal.

Apply for a Canadian Passport here. The fees are $87.00 Canadian for a 24 page passport and $92.00 Canadian for a 48 page passport.