Effective Jan. 23, 2007, all Canadians flying to the U.S. must have a valid passport. (CBC)

A change in American policy has created huge headaches for Canadians who feel the urge to travel south of the border from time to time. Since Jan. 23, 2007, Canadians flying to the U.S. have had to possess a valid passport.

The new rule — part of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — led to long lineups at passport offices across the country and a huge backlog as Passport Canada was inundated with a surge in the number of applications.

The initiative requires citizens of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Bermuda travelling by air to the U.S. from other countries in the western hemisphere to present a valid passport, a Merchant Mariner's Document or a card issued under the NEXUS Air frequent traveller program.

The second stage of the initiative takes effect Jan. 31, 2008, when those who travel to the U.S. by land or water will be required to show valid identification when they cross the border. Verbal declarations will no longer be accepted.

Travel documents that will be accepted include:

• A combination of government-issued photo ID (like a driver's licence) plus a birth certificate or citizenship card.
• A passport.
• An enhanced driver's licence, like the one being rolled out in British Columbia.
• An Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card.
• A NEXUS or a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card.
• A birth certificate only, for those 18 and under.

Related

• Government ad explaining changes (pdf)

Passports or similar documents will eventually be required for land and sea travellers to the U.S., but no earlier than June 2009.

Canadians aged 15 and younger have received an exemption to this passport rule at land and sea crossings. Teenagers aged 16 though 18 who are with school, religious, cultural or athletic groups and are under adult supervision will also be exempt.

These children will be allowed to cross the border at land and sea entry point with certified copies of their birth certificates instead of passports.

Canada is also seeking exemptions for seniors and registered aboriginals.

The application, simplified

As of Aug. 15, 2007, renewing a passport became a little easier. Applicants still must submit two new passport photos, their expiring passport and the application fee.

But they can fill out a shorter form and no longer have to resubmit a number of documents, including proof of citizenship and a declaration from a guarantor, as long as:

• They lived in Canada when they applied.
• They lived in Canada when they applied for their expiring passport.
• They were 16 or older when they applied for their expiring passport.

As well, their previous passport:

• Must have been valid for five years.
• Must have been issued after January 31, 2002.
• Must not have been damaged or reported lost or stolen.
• Must have been issued under their current name.

For Canadians applying for their first passport, the government says one key change simplifies the process. As of Oct. 1, 2007, most Canadian adult passport holders are able to act as guarantors for first-time applicants, as long as they hold a five-year Canadian passport that is valid or has been expired for no more than one year. The guarantor:

• May be a family member.
• May reside at the same address as the applicant.
• Must have known the applicant for at least two years.
• Must be a Canadian citizen 18 or older and must have been at least 16 when they applied for their own passport.

You can renew your old passport — or apply for your first one in person at a passport office, by mail, or through receiving agents (such as travel agents).

Security features added in 2002

Passport Canada's stipulation that only passports issued after Jan. 31, 2002, be eligible for the streamlined renewal process is due to security features that were introduced that year. They include:

• The passport photo is digitized and printed directly on the passport page so it cannot be removed.
• Like credit cards and money, the passport now includes holograms as a security measure.
• The passport is printed in optically variable security ink that changes colour under special lighting.
• A "ghost photo," a copy of the passport photo, is printed in another part of the passport and appears only under ultraviolet light.
• The personal information and signature are printed digitally on the passport page so they cannot be altered or removed.

New photos

The passport office also has strict rules for photos. For adults the photo must have been taken in the 12 months before the passport is issued. For children the photo must have been taken in the previous month.

Standards for photos:

• Colour or black and white originals.
• Taken against a uniform white or light-coloured background
• It must use a full frontal view of the head and shoulders.
• If tinted prescription glasses are worn, the eyes must be clearly visible.
• False hairpieces or "other cosmetic devices" are acceptable if they don't disguise the natural appearance of the face.
• A hat or other headcovering is not acceptable. In the case of religions that prohibit removal of head covering, the full face must still be visible.
• Oh - and no saying "cheese" for the passport photographer. Your face must show a "neutral expression with the mouth closed."

[an error occurred while processing this directive]