Travelers Between U.S. & Western Hemisphere (WHTI)

The following is an overview of new requirements for travelers between the United States and the Western Hemisphere.

Areas That Fall Under the WHTI


  • Bermuda
  • Canada
  • Caribbean region (includes 17 regions)
  • Mexico

Air Travel


All persons traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Land & Sea Travel


All persons entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry are required to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI compliant document.

Note that the passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. Passport & WHTI Compliant Documents


U.S. Passport


U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land, or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.

Passport Card


U.S. citizens may present a valid limited-use, wallet-size passport card for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.

WHTI Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. Citizen Travel Via Land or Sea


As of January 31, 2008:
  • Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
  • Form I-872 American Indian Card
  • Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
  • State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available)
  • Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
  • U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
For further information, see U.S. Customs and Border protection.

About WHTI


The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.

The goal of the initiative 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.

Disclaimer


The above requirements can change at anytime. Please verify requirements online.

Renewal Passport Fees


Effective July 13, 2010

  • Total fee: $110.00 (check or money order)
  • Expedited Service: Additional $60.00 
  • Overnight Mailing: $22.95

You may use Form DSP-82 if you meet either of the following requirements:
  • You can submit your most recent passport.
  • Your previous passport was issued on or after your 16 birthday and was issued within the past 15 years.
Passport services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Lansing City Clerk's Office, 124 West Michigan Avenue, 9th Floor, Lansing, MI 48933.