Passports Required for Air Travel Into United States

Eeffective January 23, 2007 (not January 8 as previously announced), citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. All other persons entering the US have always been required to present a passport. The Department of Homeland Security states that this change will increase security as well as efficiency as it significantly limits the number and type of acceptable documents for entry. The only acceptable alternative documents to a passport for air travel will be the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) and the NEXUS Air card. The MMD or “z card” is issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to U.S. merchant mariners and the NEXUS Air card is issued to citizens of Canada and the United States, lawful permanent residents of the United States and permanent residents of Canada who meet certain eligibility requirements.