WHTI is the rule set that determines which documents U.S. citizens need to re-enter the United States and, in many cases, what's accepted when traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and most Caribbean locations. It's not a card or a membership-just the rules.
On This Page
Key Takeaways
- International flights: you need a U.S. passport book. A card/EDL/Trusted Traveler card won't board you on international air travel.
- Land & eligible sea ports (WHTI area): the passport card, an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or certain Trusted Traveler cards (see below) can work-but only for specific borders and port types.
- Cruising? Closed-loop cruises sometimes allow a birth certificate + government ID, but I still recommend carrying a passport book in case you must fly home or your itinerary changes. See: Cruise Passport Policies.
- When in doubt, get the book: it solves diversions, medical emergencies, and last-minute flights-worldwide.
Border Test: Air / Land / Sea Matrix
| Document | Air (International) | Land | Sea | Where Valid / Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Passport Book | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Worldwide. Best all-around option; covers diversions & emergency fly-home scenarios. |
| U.S. Passport Card | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | WHTI land/sea only: U.S. ? Canada/Mexico/Bermuda/many Caribbean ports. Never for flights. |
| Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | U.S.-Canada (land/sea). Issued only by MI, MN, NY, VT, WA. Verify the specific port accepts EDL. |
| NEXUS Card | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | U.S.-Canada only. Not valid for international flights. Use in dedicated NEXUS land lanes and for expedited processing at participating Canadian airports, but you must still present your passport to fly-NEXUS is not a stand-alone air travel document. |
| SENTRI Card | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | U.S.-Mexico land only. Dedicated SENTRI lanes at land ports of entry. |
| FAST Card (commercial drivers) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Commercial trucking in FAST lanes at U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico land borders. |
| Global Entry Membership | ◐ (expedites) | — | — | U.S. arrival airports: speeds entry when you use kiosks with your passport/LPR. Not a stand-alone border document. |
| Global Entry Card | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | U.S. land/sea re-entry (WHTI). Not valid at airport kiosks; not for NEXUS lanes into Canada. |
| REAL ID Driver's License | ❌ (U.S. domestic ID only) | ❌ | ❌ | TSA ID rule. Helps board domestic flights; not a border document. |
| TWIC | — (ID only) | ❌ | ❌ | Maritime facility access credential; can serve as ID, not for border crossing. |
| Birth Certificate (Minor U.S. Citizens) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | WHTI minor exception: Under 16 (or under 19 with supervised school/religious/youth group) for U.S. ? Canada/Mexico/Bermuda/Caribbean by land/sea. |
| Closed-Loop Cruise (Adult: BC + Gov't ID) | ❌ | — | ◐ (limited) | Closed-loop only (same U.S. port start/end). Cruise line policies vary; passport book strongly recommended. |
Legend: ✅ = Accepted | ❌ = Not accepted | ◐ = Limited/conditional use | — = Not applicable
Notes: NEXUS does not replace a passport for air travel. Always verify your carrier's and destination's entry requirements. U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands) are domestic travel for U.S. citizens; TSA-acceptable ID is still required to board flights.
Important Exceptions
- Minors by land/sea: U.S. citizens under 16 (or under 19 with an adult-supervised school/religious/youth group) may use an original/certified birth certificate for U.S. re-entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and many Caribbean locations.
- Closed-loop cruises: Some lines allow a birth certificate + government photo ID, but I recommend a passport book in case you must fly or your itinerary changes.
Practical Tips
- Flying soon? Skip the guesswork-start with the passport book. It's the one document that works everywhere.
- Driving or cruising only? Consider the passport card as a wallet-friendly backup for land/sea days. If there's any chance you'll need to fly, bring the book.
- Need it fast? Compare options: Expediting by mail, regional passport agencies, or a vetted passport expediter. Same-day/next-day results are possible in urgent cases-start here: Get a passport in 24 hours.
- Costs: Plan your budget with current passport fees.
WHTI: Questions & Answers
WHTI is the set of U.S. re-entry rules for the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and most Caribbean locations). It defines which documents are acceptable at air, land, and sea ports of entry. It's not a membership or a physical card.
Yes. For any international flight to or from the United States, you must use a valid passport book. A passport card, EDL, or Trusted Traveler card won't get you on an international flight.
For most land and eligible sea entries involving the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and many Caribbean destinations. It's not valid for flights. Many travelers carry it as a wallet-size backup alongside a passport book. Learn more: Passport Card Guide.
No. REAL ID is a TSA domestic screening rule. A REAL ID license helps you board domestic flights, but it does not replace a passport, passport card, EDL, or Trusted Traveler card at the border. See: Which Travel ID Is Best?
Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDLs are WHTI-compliant for land/sea border crossings and are also REAL ID-compliant for TSA. Details: Enhanced Driver's License.
Yes. U.S. citizens under 16 (or under 19 when traveling with an adult-supervised school/religious/youth group) may use an original or certified birth certificate for land/sea entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and many Caribbean locations. Airlines still require passport books for international flights.
On cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port, many lines allow a birth certificate plus government photo ID. I still recommend a passport book in case of diversion, medical evacuation, or a need to fly home unexpectedly. See: Cruise Passport Policies.
- NEXUS: U.S.-Canada program for land and sea entry using dedicated lanes/kiosks. Not valid for international flights. At participating Canadian airports, NEXUS can speed processing, but you must still present a valid passport to fly.
- SENTRI: Expedited lanes at the U.S.-Mexico land border; land use only.
- FAST: For commercial truck drivers using designated FAST lanes (U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico); not for leisure travel.
Membership speeds U.S. air arrivals when you use your passport/LPR at kiosks. The card is WHTI-compliant for U.S. land/sea entry but not valid at airport kiosks and doesn't replace a passport for flights.
No passport is required for U.S. citizens traveling between the states and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Airlines still require a valid TSA-acceptable ID to board flights.
It's smart if you cruise/drive often. Use the book for flights and as your "solve any scenario" document; carry the card as a wallet-friendly backup for land/sea days ashore.
No. TWIC is a maritime-facility access credential. It can serve as ID, but it's not valid for international border crossings.
Related Guides
- How to Get a U.S. Passport (Book)
- How to Get a Passport Card
- Passport Fees (Updated)
- Passport Expediting (2-3 Weeks)
- Regional Passport Agencies (List & How to Book)
- Directory of Registered Passport Expediters
- Get a Passport in 24 Hours
- Types of U.S. Passports (Book vs Card)
- Which Travel ID Is Best? (REAL ID vs. Passport Book/Card)
- Cruise Passport Policies
Comments: Have Your Say
Leave us a comment in the box below. Please do not include phone numbers or e-mail addresses.