Worldwide Bus Travel Tips

Do I Need My Passport When I Take the Bus in the USA?

So, you’re traveling to Canada or Mexico from the US. You bought your bus ticket, you’re packed up and ready to go. But do you have all the essential paperwork with you? And do you know whether or not you need a passport to travel to Mexico or Canada by bus?

Passport

Your Passport to Get to Canada and Mexico by Bus

Implemented in the summer of 2009, The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a legislation that requires US, Bermudan, Mexican or Canadian citizens to present a passport or another valid Photo ID when entering the USA.

Citizens from Canada, Bermuda, Mexico traveling to the US or US citizens returning to their home country have to present one of the following documents:

  • A valid passport
  • An Enhanced Driver’s Licence or Enhanced Identity Card
  • A Trusted Traveler Program Card, like: NEXUS or FAST enrollment cards. FAST cards are valid for use at land or sea ports of entry. NEXUS cards can also be used at kiosks at participating airports.

Here is a fact sheet from the US Customs and Border Protection for more info.

Passport

Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) need to present their passport at any port of entry so this applies to bus trips as well. Passports issued between October 26, 2005 and October 26, 2006 have to contain a digitized photograph and passports issued after that must be e-passports with integrated computer chips.

Passports must be machine readable and valid for at least another six months. Also, in order to enter the USA under the VWP program, passengers must intend to visit the USA for 90 days or less for business or pleasure, have a valid return ticket, and be cleared by the ESTA system. Visitors intending to stay longer than 90 days or from countries not participating in the VWP program need a non-immigrant visa before arriving in the USA.

If you have any questions, we’d be thrilled to help you! Contact us at + 1-888-988-5185 and we’ll do our best to find a solution for your travel plans.

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