The WHTI, or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, takes in most of North America and the Caribbean. Passport requirements for travel in this area differ from those governing travel between the United States and countries outside the WHTI area. However, for air travel the only valid form of passport is a passport book for the vast majority of travelers.


The United States, Canada and Mexico make up the three largest countries of the WHTI, but the area also takes in most of the Caribbean region. This means many tropical island vacation destinations lie within the WHTI. The full list includes: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Dutch Caribbean, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Passport Requirements For Air Travel

For most travelers, a valid passport book is the only acceptable form of identification for air travel within the WHTI. This is true for both adults and children, and even newborns must hold a valid passport book to fly in the WHTI area. Apply for your passport book at any passport acceptance facility in the United States -- find the facility closest to you by using the online search tool on the State Department website (


A small number of exceptions exist to this rule. For example, you won’t need to show a passport book if you are a member of the United States armed forces and are traveling on active service -- your military identification is enough. Likewise, a Merchant Mariner document is acceptable for merchant mariners whose journey is related to maritime business. If you hold a NEXUS card, you can use it for air travel between the United States and Canada, so long as the airport you’re traveling through has a NEXUS kiosk. Finally, if you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States and hold a permanent resident card, or a refugee holding refugee travel documents, you can use these for air travel within the WHTI area.

Land and Sea Travel

The identification requirements for land and sea travel within the WHTI area are more relaxed than those for air travel. Passport books remain accepted forms of identification for these journeys, but you can also use a valid passport card. If your journey is from the United States to a U.S. territory, you can use any form of valid photo identification whether you’re traveling by land, air or sea.

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