Thread: New Proposed deadlines for Passports

Link for offical Passsport Info. http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Also, can I ask a question here? I think it was Sailyn that said he always keeps his passport in the safe and takes a copy with him. Sorry if it wasn't you Sailyn. I've seen this advice time and again on the boards.

My question is..why? Is this good advice? See...to me it makes no sense to leave your passport on the ship. I know people are worried about losing it, but you take other stuff you wouldn't ever want to lose either, like credit cards, etc. If for any reason, the ship leaves you behind in port (we all know it does happen), with your passport on it, what good is a copy really going to do? I'm not so sure anyone who really wanted ID or to see your passport for any reason would accept a copy of it.

Personally, I think you should keep your passport on you when you are in a foreign port. That way, if you really need it, you'll have it. I know I feel much safer carrying my passport. What do others think?
kitty

I travel a lot, international and domestic, and carry my passport everywhere... Have you ever gone through the security line in a state other than the one that issued your DL? It can be fun watching TSA in California try and figure out if my Texas DL is real or not. The passport stays in my purse and the copy is with my records in the hotel room. The copy works wonders if you need to replace a passport, but if you are in a 'situation' somewhere that calls for your passport, having the copy on you, and your passport locked up in the room, will not help at all. In many countries you must have your passport with you for any duty free shopping opportunities.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.
In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

• January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

It looks like the only change is moving the initial air-sea
implementation date from 1 Jan 2007 to 8 Jan 2007.

Reggie