the CanadaVisa Team - 21 July, 2015
As of February 1, 2008, Canadians and Americans crossing a land border from Canada to the US will need to show both an official document with photo ID, as well as proof of citizenship. This decision to toughen requirements, announced by American Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, comes less than a month after US Congress delayed a more stringent passport requirement. The requirement that Canadians and Americans carry their passports across US land borders has been postponed by one year until June 2009.
The new rules that require both proof of citizenship and a photo ID will apply to those 19 years and older. Canadians and Americans under 19 will need to show only a proof of citizenship. Currently, landed immigrants in Canada must show a valid passport and a visa if applicable, to travel to the United States. For those who cross the border on pre-approved border-crossing cards in the Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST programs, the new rules will have no effect.
Canadian officials maintain that requiring passports at US land border crossings is expensive and will curtail trade and tourism.
To deal with these new regulations and the passport requirement of June 2009, the British Columbia government has developed Canada's first enhanced driver's licenses to serve as an alternative to passports. The enhanced driver's license will contain proof of citizenship. The government is inviting 500 volunteers to participate in the pilot project. Ontario and Quebec have introduced plans to create similar driver's licenses.
Last November, Chertoff confirmed that these enhanced driver's licenses will be accepted as alternatives to passports at US land border crossings.
