Passport Rules Change for Student Groups June 1

On June 1, the Western Hemisphere Passport Initiative will take effect. This program changes the requirements for entry or re-entry into the U.S. by land or sea from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Air travel will remain the same; a passport is required.

The current regulations state that when traveling by land or sea, all U.S. student travelers must show proof of identity and of U.S. citizenship using a passport book, passport card, or other approved documents. Students who do not have a single item to prove both identity and citizenship must present both an identification and citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and a copy of a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

Starting June 1, the new rules will require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other approved documents.

Student travelers under the age of 16 will be able to present their birth certificate (original or copy), or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a citizenship card. The same rules apply to travelers ages 16-18 who are traveling as an organized group (school, religious, sports team, or social organization), as long as they are under adult supervision.

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Click here for a complete list of WHTI-compliant travel documents.

To learn more, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport.