Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - July 2008
Starting next June, land border crossings from Canada to the United States will require more than just photo identification and proof of citizenship. Officials are warning people in Canada to prepare for the implementation of the new regulations.
The new regulations are part of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that was intended to enhance security after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Crossing by land into the U.S from Canada will now require a passport, a Nexus border pass, or an �enhanced� driver�s license. The new documentation has been required for air travel from Canada to the U.S. for over a year now, though the enhanced driver�s license is only applicable in land-crossings.
The introduction of the new air travel regulations last year led to a massive backload in passport applications. Officials, though expecting a similar occurrence next year, are hoping to avoid this by reminding travelers to get their documents in order as soon as possible.
Though many in the travel industry cite the new regulations as cause for the recent drop in American tourism, statistics show that there has been little impact on Canadian travel to the U.S. Officials are hoping that travelers� concerns will be eased once they realize how simple and convenient it is to cross with the Nexus card and the enhanced driver�s license � both of which will be equipped with microchips that can be scanned quickly by border officers.
Source: The Canadian Press
