New Passport Rules Effective January 23

New requirements are now in effect for travelers flying between the U.S. and the following countries:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Central America
• South America
• The Caribbean
• Bermuda

All travelers are now required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card. Active members of the U.S. military are exempt from the requirement.

The same rules are expected to go into effect in 2008 for land and sea travelers.

The new rules do not apply to U.S. citizens traveling directly between the U.S. and a U.S. territory, as they are not considered to have left the country. U.S. territories included in this exemption are:

• Guam
• Puerto Rico
• The U.S. Virgin Islands
• American Samoa
• Swains Island
• The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands