As of Jan 23, 2007, tomorrow, you must have a passport to reenter the U.S when flying and as of Jan 1, 2008 you must have a passport to reenter when driving or on a cruise ship. You guys may already know this, I didn't, I thought the new rule began next year.
I knew about the law change, but gosh... I did not know these things cost so darned much! We have to get 4 passports to go to BILs wedding in April (Puero Vallarta, Mexico). It's going ot cost almost $400 just for the passports!
Might cost a lot - but they are good for 10 years and it makes the lines flow more smoothly if everyone has one. Takes less time then birth certificates - voters card etc.
Once you get over the hurdle (and expense) of getting them you will like it.
Might cost a lot - but they are good for 10 years and it makes the lines flow more smoothly if everyone has one. Takes less time then birth certificates - voters card etc.
Once you get over the hurdle (and expense) of getting them you will like it.
Well... I understand it as you have no choice but to have the passport... right? They won't let me just use a other forms of ID.
Really, we have little to no plan of going overseas any time in the near future. It just really bothers me that I have no choice but to pay an extra $400 just to go to Mexico for the weekend.
That would have a tendency to bother me as well - if it makes you feel any better - I have friends going on a cruise next month to South America - they have a one day stop in Rio - Brazil. They have had this cruise booked for months and a couple of weeks they were informed they need to get a visa for Brazil to the tune of $186.00 each. Granted the visa is good for 6 mos - but they are on a cruise ship and will be there only one day. :shock: :shock:
Maybe with a little luck you will be able to use the passport again some time soon. I have a passport that hasn't been used in a while and I can't wait until it gets a workout again. I love traveling.
This is going to massively screw up the land crossing points. Back before 9-11, if you were going between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, you didn't even have to bring your car to a complete stop at the border, just mention to Border Patrol that you were heading over the river for "dinner".*
*dinner in that case also covered hitting the bars because the drinking age was 19 in Ontario, or gambling at the casinos, or visiting the "Windsor ballet"