Entering British Columbia - Canada Visitors Information

American and Canadian citizens entering the United States through air terminals, land or sea borders must have a passport or other federally approved ID, such as Washington state's enhanced driver's license, starting June 1, 2009.

The new requirement will affect Washingtonians driving home from a Vancouver, B.C., weekend trip; those taking a ferry back from Vancouver Island; or Seattle-Alaska cruise passengers whose ships call at British Columbia ports. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the ID rule, which is the final phase in requiring more standardized and secure border-crossing ID between the U.S. and Canada

All travelers between the two countries must have a passport after June 1, 2009.

For decades, U.S. and Canadian citizens could travel between the two countries and simply declare their citizenship verbally or show a driver's license. That's been steadily tightened in recent years, especially since the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, through what's called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative USA.

Canada - http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html

There are, however, some federally approved exceptions to a passport for land/sea travel between the U.S. and Canada.

Among them:

• Washington state residents who don't want to pay for a passport (it costs $100 for an adult first-time passport) can instead get the new Washington enhanced driver's license. It's been approved as an alternative to a passport at land and sea border crossings between the U.S. and Canada, serving both as ID and proof of U.S. citizenship. It's also valid for Mexico land/sea travel, but not for any international air travel. Washington has issued 6,400 of the new enhanced licenses (which contain radio-coded ID) since the program began in January. It costs $15 more than a normal driver's license, and Washington also offers a similar enhanced ID card.

• U.S. and Canadian citizens under 16 will be able to present a birth certificate instead of a passport for crossing land/sea borders between the U.S. and Canada once the stricter ID requirements begin in June 2009. There also will be special provisions for children traveling in school, sports or other groups.

• Travelers who have been prescreened can use "trusted traveler" cards issued by the federal government, including Nexus cards that can be used by motorists at fast-clearance lanes at the Blaine border crossing on Interstate 5.

• The new U.S. passport card — a cheaper ($45 for an adult) but more restricted document than a passport — is available for land/sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

U.S. Passport office: For details on obtaining a U.S. passport or a passport card, www.travel.state.gov/passport or 877-487-2778.

Washington enhanced driver's license: www.dol.wa.gov/. Phone 866-520-4365 to make an application appointment.

Department of Homeland Security: For more details on the new passport requirement, see www.dhs.gov/.

Canadian Immigration: www.cic.gc.ca

U.S. Custom & Immigration: www.cbp.gov or www.customs.com

Canada Border Services: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

Canadian Air Transport Authority : http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/

See http://www.amcits.com/enter_canada.asp for more info and Application for Rehabilitation for those with past criminal records wanting to enter Canada.

Customs and Immigration officials from both the United States and Canada are now required to inspect all vehicles, trains, buses and airlines for contraband and for immigration purposes. Visitors or returning Canadian Citizens are required to know what documentation they need ( receipts for all purchases of goods being transported) and there is a list of items that cannot be taken across the border (such as certain meats, all plants and all fruits). This list changes freqently.

The CBSA is an integral component in enhancing Canada's national security. We will build on the success of the Canada-United States Smart Border Declaration to ensure the twin goals of public safety and economic security.

Note: Increased security is resulting in longer delays at entry points to Canada and United States. Please allow plenty of time for crossing border points. Firearms - Permits must be obtained to import firearms for competitions and for transit to Alaska. See Canada Firearms Service for details. Many weapons are restricted. Please check with Customs before you arrive at the border, or you may be refused entry or have your weapons confiscated.

The Canadian monetary system is based on dollars and cents. US money is accepted at the current exchange rate. All establishments accept US dollars at slightly lower rates than banks. Be sure to check at the cashier before making any purchases for the daily rate. Traveller's cheques are the safest to carry money and are accepted by banks and major establishments. To get the best rate when exchanging currency, it is recommended that visitors use one of the chartered banks, or currency exchanges. Visitors from other countries should exchange enough money prior to departure if possible to allow time to get to a currency exchange. Use Credit Cards wherever possible. Note that many establishments accept only VISA or Master Card. Hotels will generally accept a wider range of cards. Most banks will have branches open on Monday to Saturday and there are ATM's at many locations throughout BC. Most 24 hour convenience stores have an ATM, but will charge a service charge on each transaction ranging from 1.50 to 3.00. Many shops and hotels now have online credit card validation with debit (bank) card capability.

BC is on Pacific Daylight Time from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. the same as west coast of US. The clocks are advanced 1 hour from Pacific Standard Time. There are five time zones in Canada. Remember that the rest of the country is ahead of BC. If travelling to Toronto or Montreal, remember to set your watch forward three hours.