(NSI News Source Info) May 30, 2009: It's a brand new world for Canadians wanting to head across what used to be called the world's longest undefended border, as of June 1, 2009.
A passenger holds his Canadian passport before boarding a flight to the United States, at the Ottawa, Ont. airport. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)
A passenger holds his Canadian passport before boarding a flight to the United States, at the Ottawa, Ont. airport. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)The vast majority of Canadians heading south — whether it's for a day of shopping, a weekend getaway or a family vacation — do it by car. Getting past customs used to be a matter of showing some ID — a driver's licence or a birth certificate — and answering a few questions.
No more. Rules that went into effect more than two years earlier for people flying into the U.S. now cover those who enter by land or sea. You'll need a WHTI-compliant document.
What's a WHTI-compliant document?
Under WHTI — the U.S.-legislated Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative — anyone from the Western Hemisphere entering the United States must produce a document that contains photo identification and proof of citizenship.
Compliant documents include a passport, a NEXUS card, a FAST card, an enhanced driver's licence, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.
If you're 15 or younger, you'll only need proof of Canadian citizenship. Accepted documents are an original or photocopy of a birth certificate or a citizenship card. If you're 18 or younger and travelling with a school or other organized group — under adult supervision and with parental consent — you can also get through with just proof of citizenship.
Before the legislation was passed, a birth certificate or photo ID was usually enough.
It's estimated that around 50 per cent of Canadians hold a passport. For Americans, it's closer to 20 per cent.
How long does it take to get a passport?
Passport Canada estimates that it will take up to two weeks if you submit your application in person and up to four weeks if you apply by mail, through a receiving agent or a mobile passport unit.
However, if you're applying in person and you need your passport sooner, you may be able to speed up the process by paying extra fees and providing proof of impending travel.
The passport office says applications have been up in the past two months. Passport Canada receives an average of around 21,000 applications daily. The average in the months preceding that was around 19,000.
Can anyone get a NEXUS or FAST card?
No, it's not automatic. The NEXUS and FAST programs were set up under the Smart Border Declaration and Action Plan. Both were designed to make it easier for low-risk, pre-approved travellers to cross the border between Canada and the U.S. The application process takes much longer than applying for a passport. Canadian applicants will be interviewed by American border protection officials. You will be fingerprinted during the interview. If accepted into the program, the officer will take a digital photo of your irises to verify your identity each time you enter Canada or the United States by air and use the self-serve kiosks. The officer will also take a digital photo of your face.
A NEXUS card will allow you to use special lanes when you cross the border by land. You might not have to stop - but you might be pulled aside at random for more detailed questioning.
FAST is similar to NEXUS in that it's designed to expedite the process for frequent travellers. However, FAST is designed to keep commercial traffic flowing smoothly. It was set up for drivers, carriers and importers.
Under FAST, an acronym for Free And Secure Trade, customs officials can be notified of the cargo's arrival up to an hour before it gets to the border. The pre-approved carriers and drivers use a dedicated lane to cross between the two countries.
As of the end of April 2009, 295,000 people were enrolled in the NEXUS program. By the end of March, 81,000 had enrolled in FAST.
What makes a driver's licence 'enhanced?' 
Quebec Premier Jean Charest displays an enhanced drivers licence. (Canadian Press)
Quebec Premier Jean Charest displays an enhanced drivers licence. (Canadian Press)Enhanced licences contain a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that points to information in a secure database stored at the Canada Border Services Agency. The information can confirm a person's identity and proof of citizenship. The chip itself does not contain any personal information.
Currently Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia either issue or are in the process of issuing these licences. They are not mandatory in those provinces. If you want one, you have to pay a fee on top of what you pay for the privilege of having a driver's licence.
Where can I get a Secure Certificate of Indian Status?
You can't — yet. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada says it's not yet ready to provide a specific date when the new cards will be available.
The new card is being designed to be less prone to forgery or counterfeiting than the cards currently in use. The old card is a laminated paper document.
You are entitled to a Certificate of Indian Status card if you've registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act.
Do the same rules exist for Americans?
If they're entering the U.S. from Canada, yes. Americans will be required to produce an approved document that verifies identity and citizenship.
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