Travel Card

[RonS]

This past winter while in RGV, other Winter Texans were talking about a travel card which was coming out ILO Pass Port required to travel to Canada or Mexico for next year. But no one had much information on this subject, some thought it was also a part of your drivers license. Does anyone have information on this subject, as I need to get Passports started before next winter, or if Travel Card cheaper/beter for my needs. Thanks in advance. Ron

[stiles watson]

Passports last for 10 years.

[Dave e Victoria]

We are with Stiles. Both of us have had active passports for the last 30 years or so. They are easy to get and good for travel most anywhere. But thanks for the reminder, we are headed to Canada later this year and i need to put them on our checklist.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

From the US Department of State....

quote:New Requirements for Travelers


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:

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.
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.

AND even the above is subject to change. At this time they are in the talking stage of issuing a federal photo ID card. This ID card would be in place of a Passport and would not expire. The US, Canada and Mexico are all looking at the same type ID cards.
Regardless of what ID is required nothing will take effect for land crossings until January 1st 2008

[jrgwdenner]

You need to have a passport so that you can drop everything and go on a cruise when the notion hits you!

[Parrothead]

Amen to that Judy.
Happy trails........................

[smc]

We saw a sign at the border at Algodones(sp?) Mexico, just south of Yuma AZ, saying passports would be required as of Jan 1 2007. This was at the US side. We were surprised as we have been hearing about the ID cards a lot lately.

[DiananColin]

We always carry passports - easiest way across any border - in fact there are places that our Canadian passport will take us where a US passport would not - being dual nationals we also carry a UK (European Union) passport.

Definitly agree with Judy - cruises are second only to RVs and spending time close to cruise ports it is very handy to be able to hop on a ship whenever we feel like it.

[Montana_5598]

I have to ask a silly question.......sorry
What is RGV ???

Lori

[Joyce H]

RGV = Rio Grande Valley. Many of our members spend the winter months in South Texas so they are just across the border from Mexico. Remember there is no such thing as a "silly" question on this forum!!! Many may wonder but only a few will actually ask, so you are always helping out other members by asking questions as well as answering and sharing.

[richfaa]

Those ID cards will be good for travel between Canada and Mexico starting in 2008,If that is the only two countries you plan to travel to the Id card will be fine.Won't o you any good anywhere else.

[RonS]

Rich - Thanks for the reply. Yes I only want to travel in Canada and Mexico - so where and how do I get the travel cards?

[richfaa]

Don't think you can get them yet but here is the site. http://www.travel.state.gov/

[OntMont]

quote:Originally posted by stiles watson

Passports last for 10 years.

Just for the record, Canadian Passports only last for five years, and cannot be renewed, you must apply again for a new passport.

Although I think most people think of passports as a means to enter foreign countries, they are equally, or perhaps more important, as the means of proving your right to return to your home country.

They can also be very important if you are travelling with children, especially if they are not your own children. Anyone that applies to, needs to check into the current requirements; and make sure that they have all the proper documentation with them.

[richfaa]

If travelling to Canada it would be good to check the list of food items that you can take into and bring back from both countries and some of it is just crazy.Example..Applies to USA.No meat of ANY kind is permitted entry into the USA. That means that you can carry meat purchased in the USA into Canada that SAME meat is not permitted back across the border, you could lose it. dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables cannot enter the US.. Publication RC416(e) from Canada Customs and revenue Agency is good to have and read as is going to the www.travel.state.gov site

[DiananColin]

The only question with regard to food that we have ever been asked at the US border is "have you any beef" other than that never been asked and we have only been asked that once. Diana

[Montana_5598]

This is Great info ! Thanks alot!
I am going to try to keep on the Algodones crossing. I love to go there and try to spend time in Yuma every year.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by DiananColin

The only question with regard to food that we have ever been asked at the US border is "have you any beef" other than that never been asked and we have only been asked that once. Diana

Wonder what would have happened if you said yes..We have decided to not take ANY food with us and buy what we need when we get there. When we go to Canada there will be several hundred FCRV'ers crossing the border within a couple of days and my guess is that the border folks, both sides, may not be in a good humor.