|
 irectory
Home Page
Complimentary
Safe PassagesSM
for
Smart Travelers
Get Quotes &
Buy Online
for Travel
Medical Insurance
Request Quotes
&
Information
List of International
Insurance
Plans
Travel Medical Insurance
Global Student Insurance
Long-term
Global Medical Plans
Immigrant Medical
Insurance
Emergency
Evac. Insurance
Prepaid Worldwide Air
Ambulance
Services
Trip
Cancellation Insurance
Prepaid Air
Evacuation for
Motorcycle
Riders
War & Terrorism Insurance
Nationwide
Dental Plans
Global
Disability Insurance
Global Crisis
Assistance
Current
Travel Alerts
Passport & Visa Rules
Global Travel News
Global
Insurance Guide
Travel
Medical Advice
Ask The Expert
Insurance
Glossary
What's New?
About Us
We Are Known
by
The Companies We Keep
Comments and Testimonials
Confidentiality
Contact Us
Home Page
Site Map
Complimentary
Safe Passages
for
Smart TravelersSM
|
Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative Formally Submitted for Public Comment
Washington, DC
September 1, 2005
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | WXYZ
Initiative Designed to Expedite
Travel in the Western Hemisphere While Enhancing Security
The Departments of Homeland Security and State formally submitted the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative proposal for public comment. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
will require all U.S. citizens,
citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of
Canada and Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes
the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States by January 1,
2008.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated that the Secretary
of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, develop and implement a
plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport, or other secure
document when entering the United States.
In the proposed implementation plan, 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:
* December 31, 2006 - 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.
In April 2005, the Departments of State (State) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced a
proposed plan to be implemented in three phases beginning on December 31, 2005 for the
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After further review and considering the delay in
publishing the public notice in the Federal Register, State and DHS recognized that
implementing the December 31, 2005, phase would be problematic for travelers. This new
timeline will simplify the implementation and provide a longer lead-time for travelers to
come into compliance with the requirements.
As previously noted, the passport will be the document of choice for travel within the
Western Hemisphere or re-entry. However, another document that we anticipate will be
acceptable under the travel initiative is the Border Crossing Card, (BCC - or "laser
visa"). Currently, the BCC serves in lieu of a passport and a visa for citizens of
Mexico traveling to the U.S. from contiguous territory. Other documents that we are
considering for acceptance under this initiative are the Customs and Border Protection
Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), NEXUS and Free and
Secure Trade (FAST) program cards.
No currently existing documents other than the BCC, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards are under
active consideration as substitutes for the passport. However, DHS and State are reviewing
new technological developments regarding options for secure travel documents. Acceptable
documents must establish the citizenship and identity of the bearer, and include
significant security features. Ultimately, all documents used for travel to the U.S. are
expected to include biometrics that can be used to authenticate the document and verify
identity.
To provide vital information to the general public, the Departments of
Homeland Security and State are issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
on the plan to the public and requesting input and/or comment on the suggested documents
and possible alternative documents that can meet the statutory requirements. A more formal
rulemaking will be issued ater this year following review of those comments to implement
the first phase of the initiative. This rulemaking will take into account comments
received from the ANPRM as well as soliciting further comments on the rulemaking itself.
Those wishing to comment on the proposal may access the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at
<http://www.regulations.gov/> and follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov <http://www.dhs.gov> or
www.travel.state.gov <http://www.travel.state.gov>
For
Information on How
to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your
Employees, and Your Trips Abroad,
Contact our specialists today.
info@worldwidemedicalplans.com
877-211-3654 or
559-294-0316
Click here
for Instant Quotes & Online Purchase
for Global Travel Medical, Accident
& Life Insurance
Haben Sie eine sichere
Reise!
Abbia un viaggio sicuro!
”Tenga un viaje seguro!
Ayez un voyage sūr!
Have a safe trip!
Thank you for visiting our website.
www.WorldwideMedicalPlans.com
|
Welcome
