This InfoSheet is number: 0801
Information on this page was updated on: April 22, 2008
Summary: General information about new rules in place (and soon to be in place) about crossing the USA - Canadian Border by LAND.
See InfoSheet 0802 for general information about crossing the International Border by BOAT.
CLICK to find CONTACTS & PHONE NUMBERS or LINKS to related WEBSITES
The more local people ask about, apply for and use these federal programs, the sooner they will be activated and made known for all to use.
We should keep in mind that regulations should be enforced CONSISTANTLY in each unique LOCAL AREA rather than UNIFORMLY across all northern and southern borders...what is true for one area is not necessarily true for ALL other border areas.
There are two (and soon a third) ports-of-entry across the St. Croix River between Calais, ME and St. Stephen, NB...a port is located across the upper St. Croix between Vanceboro, ME and St. Croix, NB and a fourth 24 hour port is located between Houlton, ME and Woodstock, NB.
IN ADDITION...
two remote ports are open during limited hours between Orient, ME and Fosterville, NB and another between Forest City, ME and Forest City, NB.
U.S. – Canada LAND Border Crossing Notes & Comments
Background Information
Because of the US Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) for the land (and sea) portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires that a Passport or other secure document proving citizenship and identity be presented for border security and facilitating entry into the US. Although not currently widely published, Canadian border officials may also require border-crossers to present identifying documents at any time. The air travel portion of WHTI requirements has already been put into effect and cross-border air travelers must carry and present either a traditional Passport or the new NEXUS credentials when entering the US from Canada by air.
Frequent US Citizen border crossers (and perhaps Canadian Citizens for some programs) who are dreading the day when they'll be required to carry their passport with them every trip will get a reprieve from having to carry a traditional Passport and will have high-tech alternatives approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which lets an immigration agent know a person's identity even before he or she gets to the booth. They'll still have to carry a unique ID (now that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has become law on January 31, 2008, but the final requirements will take effect during the summer of 2008 and maybe as late as June 1, 2009) but they will have the option of using a high-tech alternative approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which lets an immigration agent know a person's identity even before he or she gets to the booth...and it will be able to fit in one’s wallet.
In addition to other credentials issued to specific travelers for specific needs, there will be three documents that an average border-crosser might choose to use...a traditional paper book-style Passport issued by the Department of State of any country for its citizens, one of the new Passport Cards (or PASS Card as they are occasionally called - for US Citizens only) or the new and currently in-use Nexus (Air/Highway/Marine) Card.
Passport - Traditional and internationally accepted identification devise for all travel abroad
The traditional Passport is the most widely acceptible form of identification and proof of citizenship when travelling abroad...it’s also the most expensive and the credential that often takes the longest to obtain. If you plan to travel beyond the northern hemisphere, you’ll need to apply for and obtain a traditional passport which costs about $100.00 per person and is good for 10 years (and renewable within 15 years of issue). Most large US Post Offices can act as application points and can provide passport photos (at additional cost) and are usually the easiest locations to get to. The issue time is six weeks and often longer...but the credential is the longest in use.
NEXUS Card - A Trusted Traveler credential for travel between the USA and Canada along with Mexico and some other North American island nations.
NEXUS credentials are available to all US and Canadian Citizens and have been developed for frequent, trusted US-Canada border travelers. There are three sections to NEXUS travel...all use the same devise, a wallet-size plastic card with an RFID chip...one card, NOT three different cards.The NEXUS AIR portion is used for air travel between the two countries...card holders must have had their iris (eye) pattern recorded in order for the card to be accepted for air travel...highway and marine travelers need not have their iris pattern on record. NEXUS kiosks are located at certain airports used for US-CAN air travel and NEXUS card holders can bypass long lines using those kiosks with their cards.
The NEXUS HIGHWAY portion of the program is useful at most large ports of vehicle entry (including Houlton/Woodstock and Calais/St. Stephen) via marked car or truck lanes and are open usually during specific high-volume travel times. Both the Houlton and Woodstock ports have recently installed the NEXUS-capable equipment as will the new port in the north Calais area when it opens. Smaller, low volume 24-hour ports will not necessarily have special lanes but may have the radio frequency identification readers used to access information once you get to the window. Remote ports such as Orient/Fosterville and Forest City/Forest City won’t have special lanes but MAY be able to read NEXUS Cards. The NEXUS Card alone satisfies identification and citizenship requirements to enter the USA.
The NEXUS MARINE portion of the program is now active on both coasts and in certain areas on the Great Lakes...and recently has been made active for the Chiputneticook Lakes area but only for entry into the USA...boat passengers entering Canada by boat may soon be able to phone-in to clear Customs and Immigration processes. See more about local cross-border boating on the boat crossing page for NEXUS, I-68, Canadian Border Boat Landing Program (CBBLP), Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS) and CanPASS-Private Boat.In any case, the NEXUS credentials will satisfy the requirement to present a Passport to enter the USA for those travelers who apply and qualify to receive them...NEXUS CARD holders will NOT have to carry and present a Passport to enter the USA from Canada.
Anyone interested in applying for all NEXUS program credentials may get information about required documents, instructions about how to apply and may download application forms by visiting: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html or at www.nexus.gc.ca
The cost is currently $50.00 per individual (in both US Dollars and CAN Dollars) and the credentials are valid for a five (5) year term. All frequent travelers including children must receive their own credentials to use NEXUS facilities. Once approved for acceptance into the NEXUS program, applicants must go to an Issuing Center to be photographed and fingerprinted (and have their iris pattern recorded for air travel)...the northern Maine and western New Brunswick Issuing Center is at the Woodstock (NB) Customs Office just east of the Houlton Port on Interstate 95 (866-930-3278 or 506-325-3199 after 9:00 AM Atlantic Time (8:00 am EST). US officers include Gordon Anderson and Phil Hathaway.
Passport Card - sometimes called the PASS Card:
APPLICATIONS WERE ACCEPTED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2008
U.S. citizens may now apply for the new U.S. Passport Card at a participating US Post Office (Houlton does participate), for land border travel documents. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards. The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
To facilitate the frequent travel of U.S. citizens living in border communities and to meet DHS’s operational needs at land borders, the passport card will contain a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. This chip will link the card to a stored record in secure government databases. There will be no personal information written to or stored on the RFID chip itself.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR A U.S. PASSPORT CARD OR PASSPORT, PLEASE VISIT:
[www. ] TRAVEL.STATE.GOVQUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Why a Passport Card?
The Department of State has developed a Passport Card as a more portable and less expensive alternative to the traditional passport book. The passport card is a basic component of the PASS (People Access Security Service) system announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff in January 2006, and will meet the specific requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) to secure and expedite travel. WHTI is the Administration’s plan to implement a provision of the Intelligence Reform Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires citizens of the United States, Canada, and Bermuda to have a passport or other designated document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. According to the Department of Homeland Security, other documents such as registered traveler cards (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards) will be acceptable under WHTI.
How did the Department decide on the cost of the Passport Card?
Consular Fees reflect the cost of providing passport services to the American public. Per regulation, the Department of State employs an independent consultant to conduct periodic and regular cost of service studies to determine the cost of providing consular services. The cost of service study indicated that the Department could issue a card for $20 for an adult and $10 for a child. With the execution fee of $25, the total cost for an adult is $45, or 37.5 cents per month over a ten year period.
Why is there an execution fee?
First time applicants, minors and those seeking to replace a lost or stolen passport must appear in person before a person authorized by the Secretary of State to give oaths to verify their passport applications. In order to offer American citizens convenient locations to apply for a passport, the Department of State authorizes Passport Acceptance Agents to accept passport applications on its behalf. American citizens can apply at more than 9,000 passport acceptance facilities, most of them with the U.S. Postal Service. Other government facilities include many state, county, township, and municipal offices as well public libraries and public universities. The execution fee is to reimburse the acceptance facility for the cost of the service, which provides an incentive for them to act on behalf of the Department of State. The current cost of the execution fee per application will be reduced to $25 beginning February 1, 2008. The execution fee applies to first-time applicants, children and replacements for lost or stolen passports. Since the execution fee does not apply to applications for renewals, adult passport holders will pay only $20 for the card. You can locate the acceptance facility nearest you at: travel.state.gov.
Why can’t I use the passport card to fly to Canada and Mexico?
The passport card is designed for the specific needs of border resident communities and is not a globally interoperable travel document as is the traditional passport book. The passport book is the appropriate travel document for most international travel.
How secure is the card?
Because the wallet-sized Passport Card does not offer as many opportunities to embed security features as a passport book, the Department has decided to use laser engraving and will include state-of-the-art security features to mitigate against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. We are taking every care to ensure that this Passport Card is as secure as current technology permits. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip.
What is RFID Technology?
Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) has been used successfully along our land borders with Canada and Mexico since 1995 in the Department of Homeland Security’s trusted traveler programs, such as NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST. U.S. border officials are able to expedite legitimate cross-border travel and trade of those trusted travelers who carry membership cards with vicinity read RFID chips that link to government databases. Membership in these programs currently exceeds 400,000. RFID technology has been commercially available in one form or another since the 1970s. It can be found in car keys, highway toll tags, bank cards and security access cards. The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who staff the ports of entry, anticipate that the speed of vicinity RFID will allow CBP officers, in advance of the traveler’s arrival at the inspection booth, to quickly access information on the traveler from secure government databases, and allow for automated terrorist watch list checks without impeding traffic flow. In addition, they foresee that multiple cards can be read at a distance and simultaneously, allowing an entire car of people to be processed at once. The RFID technology embedded in documents will not include any personally identifying information; only a unique number that can be associated with a record stored in a secure government database will be transmitted.
Has the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified the Card Architecture as required by law?
As required by legislation (Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, Sect. 546), NIST has reviewed the card architecture of the proposed passport card to be developed by the Department of State in response to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). On May 1, 2007, NIST informed the Departments of State and Homeland Security (DHS) that the proposed card architecture meets or exceeds the relevant international security standards and best practices for the technology that will be included in the card. To accommodate the Department of Homeland Security’s operational needs at the ports of entry, the Department of State passport card will include Generation 2 RFID vicinity read technology. NIST notified Congress on May 3, 2007, that it had certified the security of the card architecture.
Is there a threat from skimming personal information or tracking American citizens?
The RFID technology used in the passport card will enable the card to be read at a distance by an authorized CBP reader mounted alongside the traffic lane. The chip contains no biographic data as is the case with the e-passport. The chip will have a unique number linking the card to a secure database maintained by DHS and State. However, to address concerns that passport card bearers can by tracked by this technology, we are requiring that the vendor provide a sleeve that will prevent the card from being read while inside it.
Passport Card Layout
The Passport Card is formatted according to specifications for TD-1 size travel documents, as described in ICAO Document 9303, Part 3, Volume 1. The card contains both eye readable and machine readable information. For machine reading, information corresponding to personal data is printed in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) [on the back of the card at the bottom].
[The original PDF received by the clN showed a photo of Front of Card with blank artwork and Back of a sample card. The graphics have not been reproduced here.]
Card back artwork, showing “PASSsystem” (in color shifting ink) location and which will include a unique preprinted card number and 3 of 9 1D bar code, and room for the MRZ.
____
It is not clear at this time and from the information that has been received, whether or not a photo will be printed on the actual Passport Card. From the last couple paragraphs, above, "machine readable information" will be printed on the back of the actual card...but it's not clear what kind of information that will be.For more information visit: www.travel.state.gov
Remote Port Entry Program (RPEP) - Another US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program (limited locally to Orient and Forest City, Maine...and some western Maine ports) allows entry into the USA only at specifically equipped remote ports and ONLY at times that those remote ports are closed and abandoned. Gates, sensors, cameras, phone connections and embedded RFID chips allow US CBP officials to securely identify and approve trusted and pre-authorized US and Canadian citizens to enter the USA at certain remote ports when those ports are closed and abandoned. RPEP credential holders access this special system at the closed port of land entry with their chip-embedded card and electronically record their fingerprint pattern when they enter the closed port area and then a CBP officer at a remote location interviews the traveler by phone and camera. Upon his satisfaction, the gates are opened remotely and the traveler may proceed. All passengers in the vehicle must be RPEP credential holders.
RPEP Credentials are generally NOT RECOGNIZED except at the local port where their use is authorized...they are NOT on the list of devises that will be accepted in place of a Passport or other identification devises as a result of WHTI regulations.
RPEP authorized vehicles are fitted with different RFID devises that automatically raise exit gates if the credential holder wishes to leave the USA at a closed remote port that he is specifically authorized to use, HOWEVER, the credential holder must also possess valid credentials to ENTER CANADA if the port on the Canadian side is closed. Individuals who are current holders of still-valid CANPASS cards and who’s data is currently resident on that local Canadian port’s computer system may use that technology to legally enter Canada... travelers not authorized to enter a closed Canadian port are warned NOT to enter Canada illegally even if they hold valid RPEP credentials. Currently, CanPASS credentials are no longer being issued but if held, they are recognized and honored by CBSA.
EDITOR’S NOTE: RPEP equipped remote ports may be used for emergency entry into the USA even when they are closed and the traveler doesn’t hold RPEP credentials. Travelers in an emergency situation should press the “Call” button on the RPEP kiosk at the closed port office and wait for instructions from a CBP officer who will open the gate.
Although the regulations may change,
Documents that are acceptible Proof of Identity and Citizenship under WHTI include:Passport (traditional book form)
Other accepted Trusted Traveler Credentials (RFID embedded chip)
Passport Card (Future) aka PASS Card (Radio Frequency Identification RFID embedded chip)
Nexus Highway US Form I-823 or Canadian Form E 643E
Nexus Air Canadian Form E694E
Nexus Marine Canadian Form E695E
Sentri Highway US Form I-823S (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection)
Sentri Pedestrian US Form I-823S
FAST - Limited to Commercial Truck Traffic (Free And Secure Trade)
PAL Form I-866
Low Risk enrollment system Form CBP 823A
State issued Enhanced Driver’s LicensesWashington State (citizenship must be indicated - RFID Chip embedded)
Arizona (citizenship must be indicated - RFID Chip embedded)
New York (citizenship must be indicated - RFID Chip embedded)
Vermont (citizenship must be indicated - RFID Chip embedded)Other valid credentials probably include:
Valid Merchant Marine Documention (when on Maritime business)
Valid US Military ID Card (when travelling on official orders or permit)
American Indian Card Form I-872
Permanent Resident Card Form I-551 for Alien Residents, Refugees and AsyleesSpecial Purpose Credentials - Good (only) at certain closed Remote Ports (incl. Orient & Forest City).
RPEP Form I-823S (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) embedded chip)
EDITOR’S NOTE: The RPEP card is not listed among authorized alternative entry credentials but might be accepted at those remote ports.
During the transitional period from January 31, 2008 when US Legislation became effective and the future date that ONLY the above listed documents are accepted, cross-border travelers MAY USE BOTH:
A Government Issued photo ID such as a State Issued Photo Driver’s License or a Department of Justice Issued CanPASS Card or perhaps a CBP Issued RPEP Card
AND
Proof of Citizenship such as a Certified copy (or perhaps a photocopy) of one’s Birth Certificate or a naturalization certificate
OR...for Lawful Permanent Residents, Refugees and Asylees
Alien Resident Cards (Form I-551 or the so called “Green Card” ) issued by DHS.
Special Flexible Treatment of Minors will be given during the transitional period:
Children, age 15 & under, may use a Certified Copy of the child’s Birth Certificate
Children, age 16 to 18, may use a Certified copy of the child’s Birth Certificate when travelling under adult supervision with a group: School - Religious - Social - Cultural - Athletic Teams.
Passports and alternative documents MAY be waived for US Citizens in certain individual cases on a case-by-case basis for:
Emergency Medical Treatment
Fire Fighters responding to a fire call
Emergency workers responding to a natural disaster
Medi-vac Cases
Shipwreck
Plane Crash Survivors
Humanitarian Interest
National Interest
AND Seconday screening at the port may be required by CBP Officials
Canadian Customs Border Security Agency officials
MIGHT ACCEPT
any of the above listed credentials for entry into Canada
OR MAY REQUIRE
another document issued by Canadian Agencies.
US Customs & Border Protection - Department of Homeland Security
Houlton Office Main Desk 207-532-2131 and FAX 207-532-6622
Customs Area Security Center (CASC) 207-532-2131 e219
For RPEP - Credential-issuing agents include Gordon Anderson and Phil Hathaway
For an appointment 866-930-3278 or 506-325-3199 after 9:00 AM Atl Time (8:00 am Eastern Time).
Credentials are issued at the Houlton CBP Office on I-95, usually in the afternoon.For CBBLP/I-68 Credentials issuing agents include Clay Quint or Barry Smith ...contact them at the main Houlton CBP phone, above.
To report a boat landing in Maine under CBBLP or I-68 and under NEXUS (Marine) phone 207-532-2131 e255
To report a boat landing by e-mail under NEXUS Marine CASC-Houlton@cbp.dhs.govChris Sullivan, Houlton Region Port Director 207-532-2131 e240
Tom Horton - FAST, NEXUS and RPEP 207-532-2131 e244
Keith Fleming - US CBP Area Director, Portland 207-771-3610 (Debbie Dwearcan, Asst. PDir)
Tony Woo, NE Region Public Affairs Spokesperson, Boston - 617-565-6331Orient, ME CBP Office 207-448-2427 - Paul Thomas, Senior Officer
Forest City, ME CBP Office 207- 448-2288
Canadian Customs Border Services Agency - Agence des services frontaliers du Canada
1403, Route 95, Belleville, NB E7M 4Z9Woodstock/Belleville Office 506-325-3181 Fax: 506-328-4850
David J. Andow, A/Superintendent / A/Surintendant - 506-325-3178
e-mail: David.Andow@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Steve BedePat Gallvan - 506-328-9211
Regional Program Service OfficerDominick Mallette - Halifax
Regional Manager for ProgramsNexus Issuing Center - Woodstock/Bellevue, NB
866-930-3278 or 506-325-3199 after 9:00 AM Atlantic Time (8:00 am EST).
US officers include Gordon Anderson and Phil Hathaway.Fosterville, NB CBSA Office - 506-894-2281 - Debbie Farrell, Senior Officer with Ellen Crandelmere
Forest City, NB CBSA Office - 506-894-2452
Automated Customs Information Service (ACIS)
800-461-9999 in Canada
506-636-5064 from outside CanadaCBSA Traveler's Division - 204-983-3500
Ottawa K1A 0L5
CANPASS Programs
Denis Bourgoin
Atlantic Regional Program Officer
506-739-1373 - ? EdmundstonCANPASS Processing Centre, Montreal, PQ 514-283-9900
NEXUS Information
866-NEXUS26 - same as 866-639-8726
To Report Suspicious Cross-Border Activities
888-502-9060
800-BE-ALERT
US State Department - Travel Information
www.travel.state.govUS Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
http://www.dhs.gov and http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
http://www.cbp.gov
Canadian Border Security Agency (CBSA)
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
NEXUS (USA and CANADA Joint Program) - Instructions and Application Form
www.nexus.gc.ca
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html
NEXUS Marine
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/ae-ve/2006/nexus_mar-eng.html
Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS)
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/oars.xml
Remote Port Entry Program (RPEP)
No RPEP page could be found
Canadian Border Boat Landing Program (CBBLP) Form I-68
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/cbbl.xml
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_locations/new_england.xml
CANPASS - Private Boats
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/rc4074-eng.html
Passports
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
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