Passports & Visa Info

 

 

    FINAL Passport Rule Issued for Land and Sea Borders
Yesterday, the Departments of Homeland Security and of State issued the final rulemaking concerning the requirements of passports for land and sea border crossings under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After years of development following 9/11, this ruling is the end of the process and can be considered FINAL when helping your clients ensure they have the proper identification when traveling.
Effective June 1, 2009, the following rules take effect for cruise passengers:
U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category.
*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State
All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document. For a list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.
The good news for a majority of cruise passengers – American citizens that leave and return on their cruise from the same U.S. port – is that the travel document requirements will remain largely unchanged from how the industry is operating today.
CLIA continues to encourage travelers to obtain passports to allow the broadest travel opportunities. You can visit www.travel.state.gov to obtain information on how to apply at more than 9,000 passport acceptance facilities in the United States.

For the Latest Information  From Homeland Security Click Here http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm

 

New Passport and Border Entry Rules: The Basics

 

Getting a Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States. You will need two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver's license. Acceptance facilities include many federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices.

You'll need to apply in person if any of the following apply to you:

  • You are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time
  • Your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession
  • Your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago
  • Your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or
  • Your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

To find out where you can apply for a passport in person, use the U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page. For more information on getting a new passport, go to the U.S. Department of State's

You can renew your passport by mail if all of the following apply to you:

  • Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged
  • You received the passport within the past 15 years;
  • You were over age 16 when it was issued; and
  • You still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

For more information on how to renew a passport, go to the U.S. Department of State's website: How to Renew a Passport

For Visa Information go to http://zvs.com/