Your passport please? What you need to know about upcoming travel changes.
It’s generally believed that under 23% of Americans own passports, (the world’s standard document identifying one as a citizen of their country). When I travel overseas many people are surprised Americans don’t engage in more global adventures. I explain the many travel opportunities within our country, the beauty of the west, as well as our limited vacation time. It’s completely understandable. Given how spread out our country is, a trip to New York or San Francisco has all the worldliness of Paris or Tokyo. For a New Yorker a trip to Sedona or the hills of North Carolina can be a welcome change from their environment.
Adding to the ease of nearby international travel, many neighboring countries also have common travel agreements, where border crossing frequently occurs. Residents of England and Ireland enjoy relatively simple crossings between their home countries, and as most people know the only documentation necessary for travel between Canada and Mexico from the United States is a driver’s license or birth certificate.
Up until now, visits to our north and south neighbors haven’t required passports. However the end of this year our reciprocal agreement with Canada and Mexico will end. As of December 31st a passport will be required to enter the United States from these countries via air, and on December 31st 2007, a passport will be required for crossings on land, (border checkpoints). It is currently in discussion whether residents in border towns such as El Paso or San Diego will be able to obtain special cards allowing citizens who work or live on opposite sides to cross with an easier process than standard customs control.
Other than some articles I’ve read in newspapers and travel websites, I haven’t noticed people giving it much thought. Most people I know wait until they actually start planning a trip overseas before starting the process of obtaining a passport.
The people that are concerned with this rule are the people whose income will be negatively affected by it: the tourism industry. Mexico and the Caribbean are hot travel destinations. Often these trips are spontaneous, spurred by low airfares and an urge to get away. In fact a high percentage of travel is now planned less than a month before departure. The internet has become the free travel agent of the people, and from our computers we can book flights, get maps, and secure reservations.
So what are the additional costs? A passport fee is normally $65, plus a security surcharge of $12, and an execution fee of $12. A total of $97. For a couple flying south to enjoy a few days of fun in the sun, or a college person planning spring break, that’s a serious chunk of their vacation budget. For a family it multiplies even more. However these new changes won't be retracted, and if any benefits are to be had, it’s that travelers obtaining a passport for Mexico or Canada may be encouraged to travel further overseas and explore new cultures.
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