The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is US legislation that requires all travellers carry a valid passport or other appropriate
secure document, or combination of documents that establish citizenship and identity when travelling to the United States from within the Western
Hemisphere.
Anyone travelling by air between the United States and Canada is required to present a valid passport or NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card (when used at designated airports) to enter or re-enter the United States.
A valid passport OR one of the following documents is mandatory for any person over the age of 16 travelling between the United States and Canada by LAND or SEA/WATER (including cruises and ferries):
- US Passport, Passport Card (not valid for international air travel)
- A NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST Card
- State or Province-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (not valid for international air travel)
- Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card
As of June 1, 2009, US and Canadian citizens under the age of 16, or
under the age of 19 if travelling with a school, religious, or other youth
group, may present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad,
Canadian Citizenship Card or a naturalization certificate. Birth certificates
can be an original, photocopy, or certified copy.
What is NEXUS?
NEXUS is a joint program between the Canada Border Services Agency
(CBSA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that expedites the
border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada
and the United States.
Obtaining a NEXUS card
To become a member in the NEXUS program, you must submit an
application and go through a registration process, satisfy the eligibility
criteria, be admissible in Canada and the United States, and pass risk
assessments by both countries.
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership
identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at
all participating NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.