Passports. Requirements for US citizens

[Floridacargocat]

[/URL]The Bahamas is one of the few countries in the Caribbean basin, that does not require a passport for entry. US citizens have been exempted from passport requirements for more than 50 years, when returning from countries in the Western Hemisphere (Presidential Exemption or Waiver)(certain exceptions apply).
Now certain governments in the Caribbean basin are realising, that the deadline for passports (when traveling by air and returning the the USA) is getting real close, and who has been prepared for that? Lots of US tourists still have to adjust to the fact, that it is the US Government which sets the rules for travel documents to be used by international travelers. The Bahamas Government has set its own rules, and they do not yet reflect the same requirements as the US Government (and as a sovereign nation The Bahamas can do so).
The latest lamenting of Bahamian officials about the passport requirement on the possible effects of a reduction in tourist arrivals/departures by air is coming at a very late stage (considering that the initial deadline was January 2006, which had been postponed to January 1, 2007, which had been postponed now to January8, 2007). The adjustment regarding passports has been posted several times in various threads on the "other" board and this "alternate" board.
Below are some travel requirements (slightly abbreviated extract from this Source: valid for entry into these countries
h[URL="http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html"]ttp://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html (http://abacoforum.com/forums/)
IMPORTANT: THIS LISTING IS PREPARED FROM INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM FOREIGN EMBASSIES PRIOR TO DECEMBER 2005. THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED WELL IN ADVANCE.)
BAHAMAS- Proof of U.S. citizenship, i.e., a passport (if you are using an expired passport it cannot be expired more than 5 years) or original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a photo ID, and onward/return ticket required for stay of up to 8 months. Proof of sufficient funds required. Passport and residence/work permit needed for residence and business. Permit required for firearms and to import pets. Departure tax of $15 must be paid at airport.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Passport is strongly recommended, but tourists may enter with birth certificate and photo ID. A tourist card is required, and can be purchased for $10 at consulate or Dominican airports at entry points. Tourist card permits a legal stay of up to 60 days. For longer stays an extension must be requested at the Migration Department in Santo Domingo. Minors, under 18 years of age, traveling alone, with only one parent, or a third party must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. This authorization must be notarized at a Dominican Consulate.
MEXICO - *Passport, or proof of citizenship (such as original birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and photo ID. Tourist card is required. Tourist card valid 3 months for single entry up to 180 days, $20 fee, requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, and proof of sufficient funds. Visa not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit stay of up to 30 days. Obtain tourist cards in advance from Consulate, Tourism Office, and most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival. Departure tax $10 is paid at airport when not included in the cost of the airline ticket. Notarized consent from parent(s) required for children under age 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else

[SamFamAustin]

The US policies regarding requiring passports will do more to stifle tourist trade with Mexico and the Carribe than any other measure in history. It does not seem to matter that any would-be terrorists came through Canada, not from the south, but that is apparently no matter. The rather galling part is that you may be able to enter one of these countries but not be allowed back into the US without a whole bunch of hassle. If that is "progress" I'll eat my hat. /sam

[AbacoBoy]

I would respectfully disagree with you Sam... I see this as progress because it effectively standardizes entry requirements for entering the US. A chain is only as strong as its' weakest link. What other countries impose as their standards is competely out of US control, and the Bahamas doesn't have the same urgency... the US was attacked.

As Floridacargocat points out, this has been forcasted well in advance. At what point do you quit postponing the inevitable because people have not taken heed?

AB

[coconutscottage]

"It does not seem to matter that any would-be terrorists came through Canada, not from the south,..."

I think that is an over-simplified view (full disclosure: I am Canadian)

[SamFamAustin]

Well this is a sensitive subject and please forgive me for having an outside opinion. No problem; I tend to come from a point of view that the only good thing about the enhanced passport program was that it was delayed several times. Does that make me stupid or bad? Maybe a confused idiot ... I'll give you that! It's really not an Abaco topic anyway, other than some airlines won't issue a boarding pass unless you have a passport. A couple of us Wells have had problem in FTL that way. Oh well, sorry to provoke anyone. Live and let live. :)

[ModeratorTwo]

Easy guys, this why we have this section of the Forum and only our members can keep it going by showing a little respect for other folks opinon. Try this on the other Board and see how far you get! :)

[Abacoparrott]

You're not by yo'self pal. I've had a passport for quite a few years but I do agree with everything you say. I do believe we might be in the minority though. One of the stupidest changes was the reentry procedures by boat. Believe me, NONE of the bad guys are gonna park their boat in a marina, rent a cab 10 miles to the airport in order to present themselves to customs and immigration........betcha they haven't caught ONE person breakin' the law with these new procedures.......whoever proposed this one was standing in left field when the ball was hit to right........whew! I really enjoyed this rant.......ken

[SamFamAustin]

OK, as Mods says, let's be cool. But AbacoParrot you raise an interesting concept. If the passports are coming (they are) and if you travel by boat (many do) why not suggest something constructive?

I mean, in the Abacos we usually tune in one of the Alburies or somebody local and ask about getting a customs inspection, right at the dock. The crew stays on the boat, we fiddle with a flag, you tote your money over to the customs dudes, and they do their thing. Cool, never a problem.

In the US there are no "ports of inspection" for recreatonal boats that I know of; maybe you do. It would be cool if you could set up an appointment and wait by the docks - I mean, wouldn't the customs folks want to see the boat, crew, and goodies if they're doing their security job right? Perhaps this is wishful thinking but if there were designated marinas where this could be done, like a major marine on Fort Lauderdale or something, that would be quite convenient. /Sammy

[Floridacargocat]

I am definitely not the spokesperson for CBP (US Customs), but I would like to mention the efforts of US Customs to have representatives at some major marinas in South Florida during the key holidays, to make the re-entry procedures easier for the boaters. The US Customs (now CBP) inspector on the gound is definitely aware of the possibilities on how to make things easier, but he/she is bound by regulations/ policies and instructions from each and every manager in charge of Port of Entries, and this manager (director) decides, how to do things. Remember, they have a job and mission to do, which is mandated by Congress and the US Government.
Yes, there are still lots of loopholes, but they (CBP) are aware of it.

[coconutscottage]

"It does not seem to matter that any would-be terrorists came through Canada, not from the south,..."

I think that is an over-simplified view (full disclosure: I am Canadian)

I was going to let this go, given that everyone is playing so nice, but I do think I need to call this out.

I know this is the Rant Section and one is entitled to their opinion, however I do believe one should distinguish between fact and opinion.

Mr Austin, is it your opinion that all would be terrorist's came through Canada? Or are you submitting that these are the facts? If only your opinion, then that's fine and I think we can just move on.

Sorry to hijack the thread but as a Canadian living in Toronto, I find this somewhat offensive. I also think this board would like to encourage an international point of view.

Thanks for listening,

Scott

[Island Daze]

Simply put the United States is trying to shove their opinion down every other countries throat.Why is the passport issue such a problem with the Bahamas and others but Rumey wants to pull army blackhawks out of the Bahamas?The war on drugs has been replaced by the war on terrorism and then maybe just misplaced terror on our part.

[SamFamAustin]

Very well put, IslandDaze and to Scott I simply meant that a few wanna-be terrorists were caught entering through Canada although that was minor riff-raff and I sincerely aplogize for any unintended national insult. In fact, my parents are often known to tell people that they are Canadian instead of US, given the worldwide animosities! They do this for self-preservation when out of the country, not pride.

Gosh I had no idea I would make half of Quebec, Montreal, and Toronto upset! I guess I never thought of it that way. The situation with Mexico is fairly bleak, for other reasons - for example many kids cross the border to US schools (legally) and may not be able to with the new passport program that causes delays and expenses. But for most of us who visit the Abacos, we're fairly well off and it is no big deal.

So no worries, friends. Just remember, the Internet is a wonderful communication tool but it cannot substitute for talking, or lacking that a couple hundred words of drivel nobody would want to read. OK, when we show up this winter, you guys get to "roast" me at the venue of your choice, such as Nips. How is that for fair and square? /Sammy

[coconutscottage]

Thanks for the response! Onward.

Now I have to get back to filling out the forms for Canadian passports for our three kids (all under eight years of age), that used to be fine listed on our passports. We connect to Guana through West Palm.

Scott

[Abacoparrott]

OK, for one thing.....get rid of the "present yourself to customs and immigration at the airport" requirement. The only folks who are presenting themselves now are perfectly legal anyway so.....by eliminating this requirement you probably encourage trips to the Bahamas. If I thought for one minute that eliminating this requirement would endanger us, I wouldn't suggest it but it catches ZERO bad guys and is a terrible imposition on the good guys. As for catching the bad guys who are trying to enter by private boat.......no cheap way to inspect everyone but requiring every boat that leaves the US to have a customs decal would be a start. I have one on my boat but I think it is still optional. If everyone was required to purchase one before they leave the country, and display it on their boat, at least the Coast guard would have a way to identify a boat that originated in this country. If it didn't have one then check that boat. Of course a legal vessel could still be boarded and confiscated by pirates and then enter the country but that can happen now. This is by no means a perfect system but I dare say it's a mite better than the one we have now.....also, one would think that marinas selling fuel and renting overnite slips would allow customs to set up an entry point there as it would probably encourage business. I realize that by requiring boaters to report in at the airport saves money....and I can appreciate that but.....it simply doesn't work if your objective is to keep terrorists out of the country......Ken

[mlmp]

I recently renewed my passport. It was so easy. Why is this an issue? I'm not sure I understand.

[PattyB]

My rant is that the original information posted about needing a passport by the beginning of the year has been hidden from unregistered visitors to the forum because it deteriorated into a political debate. Vital information got hijacked by politics.

I agree with mlmp. Why is this an issue? It will be the law, so obey it.

[DrRalph]

Patty, are you saying that unregistered visitors can't see all of this thread? I just logged out and looked at it, all the posts are there.

[PattyB]

Sorry, Ralph. On other boards I visit, when a topic gets hot, and moved to the hot topic forum, it is invisible to visitors. I was assuming that the rant forum was invisible. My mistake.

So let's get back to topic, and rant.

[DrRalph]

OK, just making sure, rant away!;)

[SamFamAustin]

OK, maybe I can explain why some US citizens are a little concerned about the passport requirements coming down the road. I mean really it is no big deal, and true the "rest of the world" already lives with the requirements. I see those sentiments both here and on the AMB forum.

For years I suppose the US enjoyed less restrictive documentation. A driver's license, voter registration card, sealed birth certificate, mariner's ID - and combination of things like that and you could easily cross between the US and Canada, Mexico, and Bahamas, and certain other countries.

It was a casual thing, like crossing the border into Mexico for some cheap meds, a bottle of spirits, a great lunch, and a legendary margarita. If you were in Florida and somebody calls up and says "I've got a spare airplane ticket and spare bed" you could scoot on over to FTL on a whim, and be in paradise within a few hours.

I suppose this is called "impulse" traveling because it was never really planned. Americans at least here in South Texas are divided on the issue, with maybe half saying with the cost and wait times, they'd probably just give up on doing day trips into Mexico. Those in the tourism-related business (e.g., Garcia's in Matamoros, as well as all the shops) fear a major drop in border day crossings, an economy already off by 20-40 percent because of existing issues (homeland security, news of drug wars in Laredo, travel advisories).

In hindsight, I don't think that the Abacos would be affected in such a manner because many of the visitors, second home dwellers, and "frequent fliers" are true international travelers who know the drill and are more prepared. Almost none are "day trippers." And I can understand those who ask "What's the big deal, Sam?"

But suffice it to say that there are some folks in the US who think the new federal requirements for passports and future state drivers ID cards is, well, a little less convenient and a little more expensive. The trade-off between the hassles and security benefits doesn't sound convincing. Can't the expert crooks just steal somebody else's identity and create fake but "real" papers? I've been a victim of identity theft a few times (mainly credit cards and cell phone accounts) and each was not a wonderful experience. Maybe that has a little to do with it.

So I apologize in advance for the rant but there is another side to the story, one which is difficult to back up with facts, but seems to exist nonetheless. Now it's out of my system, have a great day! :) /Sam

[DrRalph]

CNN and AP reported this morning that all passengers returning to the US from abroad (with very limited exceptions) will be required to have a passport, effective Jan 23. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/11/22/passports.air.ap/index.html)

[Floridacargocat]

I was aware of some rumblings (based on newspaper reports) regarding a possible delay of the passport requirement, saw an adjustment on the web pages of DOS and CBP (where they were indicating "in January 2007" and not a precise date as before - January 8, 2007), but now the suspense is over with the date of the upcoming publication in the Federal Register on November 24, 2006.
The US Government has declared, that passports for returning citizens will be mandatory as of January 23, 2007. The rule will be published in the Federal Register on 11-24-6, and will be implemented 60 days later.
Source http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164210249468.shtm.
Originally the plan was for January 1, 2007, then adjusted to January 8, 2007. Now it it will be January 23, 2007.
I sincerely hope, that all concerned passengers take note of this date. Furthermore, all air carriers, as well as CBP ought to have the necessary guidance, so that there is the least amount of confusion.
I am still trying to get some clarification regarding expired passports (5 year grace period).
Airlines might indicate to their customers, that they want to see a passport as early as January 1, 2007, and you might refer them to the upcoming Federal Register publication (publication date November 24, 2006)