Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Program (WHTI)

As a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Reform Act of 2004, a special program was initiated so that U.S. and Canadian travelers are required to present a passport or other documentation that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States. The goal was to strengthen U.S. border security and facilitate entry. In January 2007, it was expanded to include all travelers from Bermuda and Mexico and a passport was mandatory. And in 2009, it was further expanded to include all forms of entry by land and sea travel. Similarly, Canada, Bermuda & Mexico have enacted the same initiatives.