Embassy of the United States

December 8, 2006

The United States State Department continues to encourage American citizens to apply for passports as the January 23 passport requirement of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) approaches.  During November, the CBS television network ran a two week advertisement on its electronic billboard screen on 42nd Street in Times Square, New York City that displayed four images with the WHTI message, compliments of staff from the New York Passport Agency.

The ads compliment other efforts being made by the U.S. government to encourage citizens to get passports for travel in the Western Hemisphere.  Beginning January 23, 2007, citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda will be required to present a passport to enter (or re-enter) the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.  Currently, American citizens need only show proof of citizenship and identity for air travel to the United States from the Western Hemisphere.