What Document are Considered to be a WHTI Documents?

WHTI documents are government-approved travel documents that meet the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. These documents are required for travelers entering the United States from countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

The WHTI was implemented to strengthen border security while providing standardized, secure identification for land, sea, and air travel into the U.S.

What Is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a U.S. travel regulation enforced by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

It requires travelers to present specific secure documents that establish both identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

Why Are WHTI Documents Required?

WHTI documents are required to:

• Verify citizenship
• Confirm identity
• Improve border security
• Reduce fraud at U.S. ports of entry

Without a compliant document, travelers may be denied entry, delayed, or subject to secondary inspection.

Primary WHTI-Compliant Documents

The following documents are officially recognized as WHTI-compliant.

U.S. Passport Book

A U.S. passport book is the most widely accepted WHTI document.

• Valid for international air, land, and sea travel
• Required for all international flights
• Issued by the U.S. Department of State

This is the best all-purpose travel document and has no geographic restrictions.

U.S. Passport Card

A U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized alternative to the passport book.

• WHTI-compliant for land and sea travel only
• Valid for entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda
• Not valid for international air travel

Passport cards are popular for frequent border crossings.

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)

An Enhanced Driver’s License is a WHTI-approved document issued by select U.S. states.

WHTI-compliant EDLs are currently issued by:

• Michigan
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington
• Minnesota

EDLs are valid for:

• Land and sea travel only
• Entry from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean destinations

They are not valid for air travel.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards

Certain Trusted Traveler cards issued by the Department of Homeland Security qualify as WHTI documents for land and sea entry.

These include:

• NEXUS
• SENTRI
• FAST

These cards:

• Are valid for land and sea crossings
• Require pre-approval and background checks
• Are not valid for international air travel

WHTI Documents for Children

Children traveling under WHTI rules may use different documents depending on travel method:

• Air travel: Passport book required
• Land/sea travel:
  • Passport book
  • Passport card
  • Birth certificate (U.S. or Canadian, under specific circumstances)

Requirements can vary based on age and destination.

Documents That Are NOT WHTI-Compliant

The following do not meet WHTI requirements:

• Standard driver’s licenses
• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates alone (for adults)
• School IDs
• Expired passports
• Photocopies of documents

Using a non-compliant document may result in entry denial.

Closed-Loop Cruises and WHTI

Some cruises departing and returning to the same U.S. port (closed-loop cruises) may allow:

• Passport cards
• Birth certificates (with photo ID)

However, a passport book is strongly recommended in case of emergency or unexpected international disembarkation.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a WHTI Document?

If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry without proper WHTI documentation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection may:

• Delay your entry
• Conduct secondary inspection
• Issue warnings
• Deny entry in serious cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What are WHTI documents?

WHTI documents are approved travel documents that verify identity and citizenship for entry into the United States from the Western Hemisphere.

Is a passport card considered a WHTI document?

Yes. A passport card is WHTI-compliant for land and sea travel but not for air travel.

Can I fly internationally with a WHTI document?

Only a passport book is valid for international air travel.

Are Enhanced Driver’s Licenses WHTI-compliant?

Yes, but only for land and sea travel and only if issued by participating states.

Do children need WHTI documents?

Yes. Children generally need a passport for air travel, but land and sea rules may allow alternatives.