US Cancels Caribbean Passport Requirement

The U.S. Government has cancelled the passport requirement for the Caribbean, which was to start as of December 31, 2005.

Under pressure and criticism from the Caribbean Tourism Association, and island officials, Americans will not be required to have a valid passport for entry to most Caribbean islands.

The CTA and island government officials complained the Caribbean was being singled out, while Mexico and Canada were both being given until 2006.

Barbados, and seven other Caribbean islands already have passport requirements in place, so this cancellation does not affect Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, St Eustasius, Trinidad and Tobago. If you plan on traveling to any of the above islands, a valid passport is required.

The cancellation applies to the Caribbean islands not listed above, and a certified (raised seal) birth certificate is required to prove citizenship and gain entry.

I have updated our the current edition of the Caribbean Travel Newsletter, and sent all newsletter subscribers this information.

I applaud our government for making this decision. Since the majority of Americans do not possess a passport, this has caused much confusion with a proposed Caribbean deadline of December, 2005 and a project deadline for Mexico and Canada of December, 2006.

All governments have the right to choose their own passport requirements, however in this case a new passport requirement should be rolled out for the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and Canada for the same date.

It's obvious there will be a passport requirement for Americans traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada, and I project the new deadline will be December, 2006.

Millions of dollars have been spent marketing and advertising this now cancelled policy. It was obivious to me it was not well thought out when first released over six months ago. The U.S. Passport Office is overwhelmed with applications from travelers who were trying to meet the December, 2005 deadline.

I guess the good news is whenever the new passport requirements actually come into place, many more Americans will already have their passports.

Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean

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