Border and Passport Information for Reno Travelers

Reno travelers to and from Canada can have a smoother trip by knowing the travel document requirements required by authorities on both sides of the border. Here is the information you need (as of summer 2011) as a U.S. citizen to visit Canada and return home. Also included is information for Canadian citizens coming to and returning from the United States. This information is provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)*

U.S. and Canadian citizens age 16 and older must present a WHTI-compliant travel document to enter the United States by land or sea. The document must show both identity and citizenship. Citizens of both countries under 16 must have a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. For more information, visit the WHTI website. Approved WHTI documents include...

• U.S. and Canadian passports.
• Trusted traveler card - NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST/EXPRES.
• U.S. passport card.
• Enhanced driver's licenses (issued by states or provinces, when available).

Travel documents embedded with radio frequency identification (RFID) expedite entry. Such documents include U.S. passport cards, enhanced driver's licenses and identification cards, and trusted traveler program cards such as SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry. For more information about these programs, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(*Note: WHTI is a U.S. law that primarily affects U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States by land or sea.)

Entry into Canada

According to CBSA, requirements for entry into Canada have not changed due to WHTI. A passport is not mandatory for land and sea travel for U.S. citizens visiting Canada or Canadians returning home, but it is a preferred proof of citizenship. Other acceptable ID includes enhanced driver's licenses, birth certificates with accompanying photo ID such as a regular driver's license, permanent residence cards, citizenship cards, certificates of Indian Status, or NEXUS cards or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cards.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency.