Can I use a passport card for land border crossings?
February 18, 2008
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
U.S. PASSPORT CARD
U.S. PASSPORT CARD APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1
U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.
The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
To facilitate the frequent travel of U.S. citizens living in border communities and to meet DHS’s operational needs at land borders, the passport card will contain a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. This chip will link the card to a stored record in secure government databases. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip itself.
U.S. Passport Card Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passport card?
The passport card is a wallet-size card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea.
Why can’t I use the passport card to fly to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda?
The passport card is designed for the specific needs of the northern and southern border resident communities and is not a globally interoperable travel document as is the traditional passport book. While the passport card has limited use, the passport book will remain the premier internationally accepted travel document.
Didn’t Congress just pass a law delaying passport requirements for land border crossings and sea travel until June 2009?
Questions about the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) must be referred to the Department of Homeland Security, which is the federal agency charged with deciding and implementing the documentary requirements. Our role in WHTI is to produce passport books and passport cards for international travel. Please check the Department of Homeland Security website at http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/index.shtm for the latest information on travel document requirements.
Does the passport card contain an electronic chip?
To facilitate the frequent travel of Americans living in border communities, and to meet the Department of Homeland Security’s operational needs along the land borders, the passport card will have a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. With this technology, Customs and Border Protection inspectors will be able to access photographs and other biographical information stored in secure government databases before the traveler reaches the inspection station.
Won’t this chip violate Americans’ privacy?
There will be no personal information written on the electronic chip itself. The chip will have only a unique number linking the card to a stored record contained in secure government databases.
How secure is the card?
The Department has decided to use laser engraving and will include state-of-the-art security features to mitigate against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. In addition, to mitigate any possibility that the card could be tracked, it will be issued with a protective sleeve that will prevent the card from being read when not in use.
We are taking every care to ensure that this passport card is as secure as current technology permits. There will be no personal information written to the RFID chip.
What is RFID Technology?
Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) has been used successfully along our land borders with Canada and Mexico since 1995 in the Department of Homeland Security’s trusted traveler programs, such as NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST. U.S. border officials are able to expedite legitimate cross-border travel and trade of those trusted travelers who carry membership cards with vicinity read RFID chips that link to government databases. Membership in these programs currently exceeds 400,000.
RFID technology has been commercially available in one form or another since the 1970s. It can be found in car keys, highway toll tags, bank cards and security access cards. The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who staff the ports of entry, anticipate that the speed of vicinity RFID will allow CBP officers, in advance of the traveler’s arrival at the inspection booth, to quickly access information on the traveler from secure government databases, and allow for automated terrorist watch list checks without impeding traffic flow. In addition, they foresee that multiple cards can be read at a distance and simultaneously, allowing an entire car of people to be processed at once.
The RFID technology embedded in documents will not include any personally identifying information; only a unique number that can be associated with a record stored in a secure government database will be transmitted.
When will the passport card be available?
We anticipate that the passport card will be available sometime in the spring of 2008. However, beginning February 1, U.S. citizens will be able to apply in advance for their passport cards.
At this time, we cannot give a specific date as to when production will begin on the passport card. We will continually update our website, http://travel.state.gov, with information on the production start date.
Why are you accepting applications for the passport card before it is being produced?
We are aware that some Americans, particularly along the borders, will want to have the passport card as soon as it is available. For those customers, we want to give them the opportunity to apply for it in advance.
Where do I apply for a passport card?
First time applicants can apply at any one of our 9,300 Passport Application Acceptance Facilities across the country. Applicants can locate a facility nearest to them by checking our website at http://travel.state.gov.
Can I apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application?
Yes.
What documents will I need in order to apply for a passport card?
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the U.S. citizenship and identity of the bearer. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their U.S. citizenship and identity such as birth and naturalization certificates.
First time adult and minor applicants under the age of 16 will need to submit a completed Form DS-11 "Application for a U.S. Passport", 2 photos, evidence of citizenship, the application fee for the passport card and the execution fee. These applicants must apply in person at a Passport Application Acceptance Facility.
Adult applicants with fully-valid passports can apply for the passport card by mail by submitting Form DS-82 "Application for a U.S. Passport By Mail", 2 photos, fully valid passport issued within the last fifteen years, and the passport card application fee. Please check our website, http://travel.state.gov for complete details on applying for the passport card.
How much will the passport card cost?
For first time applicants, the passport card will cost $45 for adults and $35 for children under the age of 16, which includes the execution fee of $25. Adults with fully-valid passports issued within the last fifteen years can apply for the card by mail using Form DS-82, at a cost of $20.
Why is there an execution fee for the passport book and passport card?
First time applicants, minors, and those seeking to replace a lost or stolen passport must appear in person before a person authorized by the Secretary of State to give oaths to verify their passport applications. In order to offer American citizens convenient locations to apply for a passport, the Department of State authorizes Passport Acceptance Agents to accept passport applications on its behalf. The execution fee is to reimburse the acceptance facility for the cost of the service, which provides an incentive for them to act on behalf of the Department of State. Effective February 1, 2008, the execution fee per application will be reduced from $30 to $25. Applicants applying for both the passport book and card simultaneously pay only one execution fee.
How did the Department of State decide on the cost of the passport card?
Our fees reflect the cost of providing passport services to the American public. Per regulation, the Department of State employs an independent consultant to conduct periodic and regular cost of service studies to determine the cost of providing consular services. The cost of service study indicated that the Department could issue a passport card at $20 for an adult and $10 for a child. With the execution fee of $25, the total cost for an adult is $45 or 37.5 cents per month over a ten year period.
How long will it take to receive a passport card?
Once the passport card is being produced, the processing and issuance time will be the same as for the passport book. For instance, the current turnaround time for routine service passports is 4 to 6 weeks. Up-to-date processing times are located at http://travel.state.gov.
Can an applicant request the $60 expedited service for the passport card?
Expedited service is not available for the passport card at this time. Once we begin producing the passport card, we anticipate being able to offer applicants expedited service.
Can an applicant request overnight return delivery service for the passport card?
Neither overnight return delivery service nor Priority Mail service will be available for the passport card. Passport cards will be mailed to applicants using First Class Mail service.
Will the payment of one $60 expedite fee serve to expedite both the passport book and passport card, if applied for at the same time?
Currently the passport card is not in production. Once the passport card is in production then only one $60 expedite fee for the passport card and passport book will be collected if applied for at the same time. If the passport card and passport book are applied for at different times, the applicant would need to pay separate $60 expedite fees if requested.
If an applicant already has a fully-valid adult passport book issued within the last fifteen years, what form should be used to apply for a passport card?
The applicant can apply for the passport card using either Form DS-82 or Form DS-11. If the applicant chooses to apply using a DS-82, he/she must submit, along with the application, the fully valid passport issued within the last fifteen years, 2 passport photos, and payment to the Department of State in the amount of $20.
If the applicant chooses to apply using a DS-11, he/she must submit a completed Form DS-11 "Application for a U.S. Passport", 2 photos, evidence of citizenship, the application fee for the passport card and the execution fee. These applicants must apply in person at a Passport Application Acceptance Facility. This may be preferable to the applicant if he/she has frequent international travel requiring the use of the passport book.
How many photos are required when applying for the passport card?
Two photos are required, same as for a passport book.
How many photos are required when applying for both the passport book and passport card on the same application?
Two photos are required.
Can the passport card be used to apply for the passport book?
Yes.
What about passports for Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean?
UPDATE as of December 5, 2007
Traveling to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda by Air
U.S. citizens and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter (or depart) the U.S.
Traveling to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda by Land/Sea
Beginning January 31, 2008, the Department plans to move towards WHTI implementation at land and sea ports of entry by ending the routine practice of accepting oral declarations of citizenship alone.
Citizens of the United States, Canda, Bermuda and Mexico will need to present the following to enter or depart the United States by land or sea:
U.S. and Canadian Citizens
- Ages 19 and older: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
- Children ages 18 and younger: proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
Citizens from Bermuda
- Passport issued by the Government of Bermuda or the United Kingdom.
Citizens from Mexico
- As under current entry requirements, Mexican nationals, regardless of age, must present a passport issued by the Government of Mexico and a visa, or a valid Form DSP-150, B-1/B-2 laser visa (Border Crossing Card).
- Trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
Passport Requirements
All citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are now required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport as of January 23, 2007. This includes:
- Children of any age, including children of Legal Permanent Residents who are United States citizens.
- Mexican citizens who have a Border Crossing Card (BCC) when entering the United States by air. (The BCC is still valid in lieu of a passport and visa for land border crossings within the border region.) The BCC may be used as a visa.
Other Acceptable Documents
In some cases, other documents may be accepted when entering or departing the United States by air.
A limited number of travelers may present either:
- Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, Legal Permanent Residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by the Department of Homeland Security, or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.
- Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) or “z-card” issued by the U.S. Coast Guard that will be acceptable for use under WHTI by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business.
- NEXUS Air card in conjunction with the NEXUS program at designated NEXUS sites. The NEXUS program is limited to citizens of Canada and the United States, lawful permanent residents of the United States and permanent residents of Canada. See information on enrolling in the NEXUS program.
- U.S. Military Traveling on Orders. There are no changes proposed for members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on active duty. Currently, an individual traveling as a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty is not required to present a valid passport to enter or depart the United States. Note: Spouses and dependents of these military members will be required to present a passport (and valid visa, if applicable) when traveling into the United States under WHTI.
Traveling To and From U.S. Territories
U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Swains Island
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Presenting Insufficient Documentation
For the general public, people who apply for entry but do not have appropriate documentation will likely be referred for secondary screening at the port. In secondary, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will evaluate any evidence of citizenship or identity the individual may have and will verify all information against available databases.
For foreign nationals, a determination will be made at that time whether to admit the individual or not. However, to prevent delay at the ports of entry, we would encourage all travelers to obtain the appropriate documents before they travel.
In addition, the State Department has processes to assist U.S. citizens overseas to obtain emergency travel documentation for those with lost or stolen passports.
Effective Jan. 31, 2008, New Requirements for Entry at Land and Sea Ports from Canada
Effective Jan. 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens (19 and older) will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as 1) a passport or 2) a birth certificate or naturalization certificate supported by a government issued photo ID, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry from Canada. Children ages 18 and under are only required to present proof of citizenship (without ID), such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or passport. If a birth certificate is presented, it must be a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state. A photocopy of a birth certificate will only be accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if the original has been sent to the Department of State in support of a passport application. In such case, the traveler must obtain and provide proof of passport application. These changes are significant as compared to the current and long-standing policy that allows CBP officers to accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. Effective Jan. 31, 2008, oral declarations will not be accepted.
Travel agents should remind all customers traveling by land or sea to Canada to take either a valid passport or a government issued birth certificate and photo ID beginning Jan. 31, 2008. All travelers by air should be reminded to bring a passport. The passport requirement for air travelers entering the U.S. from Canada has been on the books since Jan. 8, 2007. Please note that travelers holding NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
Eventually, at an unspecified date in mid-2008, the Department of State will require passports, or soon-to-be announced passport alternatives, from ALL travelers at ALL points, including air, land and sea, within the Western Hemisphere. Prior to the effective date, the State Department intends to make available a Passport Card, which is specifically designed for land and sea travel from neighboring countries. The primary advantages of the Passport Card are that it will be less expensive and smaller than a traditional passport. In addition, several states including Washington, Vermont and New York are creating an Enhanced Driver_s License that will, according to the CBP, also fulfill the proof-of-citizenship requirement at land and sea borders. Further details of these alternative products are unknown. However, CBP says that ample notice of the exact date of implementation will be provided to ensure travelers can obtain the appropriate documents.
Since passports are the gold standard for entering and exiting the country from all foreign destinations, ALL travelers, including those traveling by land or sea in the Western Hemisphere, should be encouraged to obtain, and travel with, a passport. The current turnaround time for a passport is four to six weeks. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/. To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/.
Canada can refuse allowing you to set foot onto their soil--did you know this?
Note: this issue has been widely reported but we don't know if it is true. Before traveling to Canada be sure to check this website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/rehabil.html
Here are some of the articles--
Going to Canada? Check your past
Tourists with minor criminal records turned back at border
C.W. Nevius
Friday, February 23, 2007
There was a time not long ago when a trip across the border from the United States to Canada was accomplished with a wink and a wave of a driver's license. Those days are over.
Take the case of 55-year-old Lake Tahoe resident Greg Felsch. Stopped at the border in Vancouver this month at the start of a planned five-day ski trip, he was sent back to the United States because of a DUI conviction seven years ago. Not that he had any idea what was going on when he was told at customs: "Your next stop is immigration.''
Felsch was ushered into a room. "There must have been 75 people in line," he says. "We were there for three hours. One woman was in tears. A guy was sent back for having a medical marijuana card. I felt like a felon with an ankle bracelet.''
Or ask the well-to-do East Bay couple who flew to British Columbia this month for an eight-day ski vacation at the famed Whistler Chateau, where rooms run to $500 a night. They'd made the trip many times, but were surprised at the border to be told that the husband would have to report to "secondary'' immigration.
There, in a room he estimates was filled with 60 other concerned travelers, he was told he was "a person who was inadmissible to Canada.'' The problem? A conviction for marijuana possession.
In 1975.
Welcome to the new world of border security. Unsuspecting Americans are turning up at the Canadian border expecting clear sailing, only to find that their past -- sometimes their distant past -- is suddenly an issue.
While Canada officially has barred travelers convicted of criminal offenses for years, attorneys say post-9/11 information-gathering, combined with a sweeping agreement between Canada and the United States to share data, has resulted in a spike in phone calls from concerned travelers.
They are shocked to hear that the sins of their youth might keep them out of Canada. But what they don't know is that this is just the beginning. Soon other nations will be able to look into your past when you want to travel there.
"It's completely ridiculous,'' said Chris Cannon, an attorney representing the East Bay couple, who asked that their names not be used because they don't want their kids to know about the pot rap. "It's a disaster. I mean, who didn't smoke pot in the '70s?''
We're about to find out. And don't think you are in the clear if you never inhaled. Ever get nabbed for a DUI? How about shoplifting? Turn around. You aren't getting in.
"From the time that you turn 18, everything is in the system,'' says Lucy Perillo, whose Canada Border Crossing Service in Winnipeg, Manitoba, helps Americans get into the country.
Canadian attorney David Lesperance, an expert on customs and immigration, says he had a client who was involved in a fraternity prank 20 years ago. He was on a scavenger hunt, and the assignment was to steal something from a Piggly Wiggly supermarket. He got caught, paid a small fine and was ordered to sweep the police station parking lot.
He thought it was all forgotten. And it was, until he tried to cross the border.
The official word from the Canadian Border Services Agency is that this is nothing more than business as usual. Spokesman Derek Mellon gets a little huffy when asked why the border has become so strict.
"I think it is important to understand that you are entering another country,'' Mellon says. "You are not crossing the street.''
OK, but something changed here, didn't it?
"People say, 'I've been going to Canada for 20 years and never had a problem,' '' Lesperance says. "It's classic. I say, 'Well, you've been getting away with it for 20 years.' ''
A prior record has always made it difficult to cross the border. What you probably didn't know was that, as the Canadian Consulate's Web site says, "Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offense in Canada.''
So it isn't as if rules have stiffened. But what has changed is the way the information is gathered. In the wake of 9/11, Canada and the United States formed a partnership that has dramatically increased what Lesperance calls "the data mining'' system at the border.
The Smart Border Action Plan, as it is known, combines Canadian intelligence with extensive U.S. Homeland Security information. The partnership began in 2002, but it wasn't until recently that the system was refined.
"They can call up anything that your state trooper in Iowa can,'' Lesperance says. "As Canadians and Americans have begun cooperating, all those indiscretions from the '60s are going to come back and haunt us.''
Now, there's a scary thought. But the irony of the East Bay couple's situation is inescapable. Since their rowdy days in the '70s, they have created and sold a publishing company, purchased extensive real estate holdings and own a $3 million getaway home in Lake Tahoe.
"We've done pretty well since those days,'' she says. "But what I wonder is how many other people might be affected.''
The Canadian Border Services Agency says its statistics don't show an increase in the number of travelers turned back. But Cannon says that's because the "data mining'' has just begun to pick up momentum.
"It is too new to say,'' he says. "Put it this way. I am one lawyer in San Francisco, and I've had four of these cases in the last two years, two since January. And remember, a lot of people don't want to talk about it (because of embarrassment).''
Asked if there were more cases, attorney Lesperance was emphatic.
"Oh, yeah,'' he says. "Just the number of calls I get has gone up. If we factor in the greater ability to discover these cases, it is just mathematically logical that we are going to see more.''
The lesson, the attorneys say, is that if you must travel to Canada, you should apply for "a Minister's Approval of Rehabilitation" to wipe the record clear.
Oh, and by the way, if you don't need to travel to Canada, don't think you won't need to clear your record. Lesperance says it is just a matter of time before agreements are signed with governments in destinations like Japan, Indonesia and Europe.
"This,'' Lesperance says, "is just the edge of the wedge.''
Who would have thought a single, crazy night in college would follow you around the world?
Rules for getting into Canada
For more information on offenses that prohibit entry to Canada, go to the Canadian Consulate's Web site at geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/seattle/visas/inadmissible-en.asp.
For more information on visiting Canada, go to cic.gc.ca.
C.W. Nevius' column appears regularly. His blog, C.W. Nevius.blog, can be found at SFGate.com. E-mail him at cwnevius@sfchronicle.com.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/23/MNGCAO9NSB1.DTL
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US Today also covered this issue; you can read about it here:
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Persons who are inadmissible to Canada
Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted of MINOR OFFENCES (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal substances, etc.), or of INDICTABLE CRIMINAL OFFENCES (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) are considered Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offence in Canada.
Those who have received TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS (including parking/speeding tickets, etc.) and other minor violations (i.e. littering, etc.) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada. Similarly, those who have JUVENILE CONVICTIONS (convictions for crimes committed while under age 18) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have been tried as an adult for their offences.
TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT, APPROVALS OF REHABILITATION, AND PERMISSION TO RETURN TO CANADA:
Those who have been convicted of an offence IN CANADA who wish to return to Canada must first apply for a PARDON from the CLEMENCY AND PARDONS DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL PAROLE BOARD. A Pardon permanently erases the Canadian criminal record, and any consequences of inadmissibility resulting from it. Those unable to obtain a pardon may still apply for a TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT. For more information on pardons, contact:
NATIONAL PAROLE BOARD,
Clemency and Pardons Division,
340 Laurier Avenue West,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0R1.
Those who have been convicted of an offence OUTSIDE CANADA, and have had 5 years elapse since the termination of the custodial portion (if any) of the sentence imposed (not the sentence served), may apply for a Minister's APPROVAL OF REHABILITATION. The Minister's Approval will permanently remove the inadmissibility caused by conviction.
If less than 5 years have elapsed, or if persons are only seeking entry to Canada for a single or limited period, then they may apply for a TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT.
Those subject of a previous DEPORTATION ORDER FROM CANADA require PERMISSION TO RETURN TO CANADA before they can enter Canada. As well, those who have been subject of an EXCLUSION ORDER within the past 12 months require Permission to Return to Canada before they can re-enter Canada.
**NOTE: In general, applications for Temporary Resident Permits, Approvals of Rehabilitation and Authorization to Return to Canada take into consideration the nature of the offenses committed by the applicant, the number of offenses on the applicant's record, the length of time since the last offense, reports from parole or probation officers, the purpose for which entry into Canada is sought, and the applicant's standing in the community.
APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT, APPROVAL OF REHABILITATION, OR PERMISSION TO RETURN TO CANADA:
Persons may apply for a Temporary Resident Permit, Approval of Rehabilitation, or Permission to Return to Canada either in Canada or at one these CANADIAN VISA OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES:
**NOTE: Be sure to visit the website of the Canadian Visa Office that will be processing your application to confirm hours of operation, processing times, documents/forms required, and other instructions. Application Forms may be obtained from the above offices.
DOCUMENTATION THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY A CANADIAN VISA OFFICE TO PROCESS TEMPORARY RESIDENT PERMIT OR APPROVAL OF REHABILITATION APPLICATIONS:
- POLICE CERTIFICATES from the jurisdictions where the applicant has lived since his/her 18 birthday (or for the last 10 years).
- THE APPLICANT'S OWN STATEMENT OF CIRCUMSTANCES leading up to his/her conviction.
- COURT RECORDS relating to the applicant's conviction(s).
- REPORTS OF PROBATION OR PAROLE OFFICERS.
- A COPY OF THE STATUTE under which the applicant was convicted.
- THREE LETTERS FROM PERSONS OF STANDING IN THE COMMUNITY who know the applicant personally, and who can attest to the applicant's rehabilitation.
What are the best procedures for flying with batteries?
DOT Needs Travel Agents’ Help in Raising Safety Awareness Among Traveling Public
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is working to provide the public tips on safe carriage of batteries and battery-powered devices such as cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs and power tools. As batteries become more powerful and use a wider variety of technologies, they are becoming more risky and dangerous. A front-page story in USA Today recently highlighted the dangers of flying with batteries and battery-related equipment. DOT_s safety measures can prevent in-air fires and other incidents. The DOT is asking travel agents to help them by sharing safety tips with their clients so that they may travel safely with these items. Here is the DOT's message:
http://safetravel.dot.gov/
If you're planning a trip, bring your laptop computer, cell phone, camera, personal digital assistant, or other battery-powered device along. These items are safe to fly with!
Batteries pose little risk contained in the devices they power. Taking the battery out of the device does not enhance safety. To be safest, carry the device with you, not in your checked baggage. Do not remove the battery!
Carry your battery-powered devices or spare batteries in your carry-on baggage. In the passenger compartment, flight crews can better monitor safety conditions to prevent an incident, and can access fire extinguishers, if an incident does happen.
Finally, if you must carry a battery-powered device in your checked baggage, package it to prevent inadvertent activation. Cordless power tools, for instance, should be packed in a protective case, with a trigger lock engaged.
Many travelers like the convenience of readily available spare batteries. It's safe to travel with spare batteries, as long as you follow these simple spare battery tips.
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Pack spare batteries in carry-on baggage. In the passenger compartment, flight crews can better monitor safety conditions to prevent an incident, and can access fire extinguishers, if an incident does happen. |
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Keep spare batteries in the original retail packaging, to prevent unintentional activation or short-circuiting. |
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For loose batteries, place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals. Isolating terminals prevents short-circuiting. |
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If original packaging is not available, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating spare batteries from contact with other batteries and metal. Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package. Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, or jewelry. |
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Use only chargers designed for your type of batteries. If unsure about compatibility, contact the product manufacturer. |
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Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a high degree of pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating. |
What You Should Know About ATMs
Wherever you travel in the world, cold hard cash is your most essential necessity. This is true if you're buying a cup of coffee in Los Angeles, a silk scarf in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar or a bracelet off a street vendor in Hong Kong. That is why the first thing many travelers look for when they step off the plane in a foreign country is an ATM machine.
ATMs usually solve the traveler's dilemma of where to safely and quickly obtain local currency. All cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, which is usually a few percentage points better than the rate at a local exchange counter. Plus, these machines are practically everywhere — ATM cards linked to the PLUS or Cirrus networks can be used in more than 135 countries — which makes them the convenient choice of cash-strapped travelers.
Yet some travelers are running into ATMs that, like stingy uncles, refuse to give them money, usually when they try using their debit cards. Recently, debit cards have been the targets of international frauds, prompting banks to block out entire countries where these frauds occur most often. Travelers usually don't even know a block is currently in place until they are standing cashless in front of an ATM, mildly cursing at their debit card that no longer seems to be working.
Countries that have recently been blocked by various banks include England, Thailand, the Philippines, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Singapore and Japan, though different banks utilize different criteria when selecting countries. Also, some banks block PIN-based transactions, while others block signature-based transactions; it all depends on their risk threshold.
Unfortunately for travelers, banks are not required to inform their customers about these bans, for they do not want to tip their hand to the countermeasures they're employing to criminals. Travel agents urge you to call your bank or check out its Web site before you leave to find out if your debit card will work at your destination.
Here are some additional tips from travel agents concerning the use of ATMs when traveling abroad:
» Take a variety of payment options, such as credit cards, debit cards, traveler's checks and currency, to be prepared for all circumstances.
» Go to a bank if you have problems withdrawing cash from an ATM. Many debit cards can also function as a credit card, which will allow you to get a cash advance (though at a higher interest rate than a normal debit transaction).
» Bring your bank's contact information when you travel, just in case your card fails to work like you expect.
» If your PIN number is longer than four digits, go to your bank and have it changed. Many ATM's abroad, especially in Europe, do not accept PIN numbers longer than four digits.
» If your PIN number is based on letters, translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country. Many ATMs abroad only have numbers on their keypads.
» Always have your travel agent's contact information with you. It's good to have an ally back home you can call whenever a problem arises.
With these tips and a little TravelSense, you should be able to freely explore the world without standing in long lines at the bank trying to access your money.
More Advice--Using Credit Cards and Other Currency Issues
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Pre-vacation research can reduce currency-conversion fees |
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USA Today--Updated 5/30/2006 8:10 AM ET |
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Planning to travel outside the USA this summer? Take a dollar out of your wallet and tear it in half. That will prepare you for the wretched exchange rate you'll encounter on the other side of the pond.
Short of staying home, there's not much you can do about an unfavorable exchange rate. But by planning ahead, you can reduce the cost of converting your U.S. dollars into a foreign currency.
The cost of using credit cards outside the USA has risen in recent years as more banks have tacked on "currency-conversion" fees of up to 2%, according to Bankrate.com. These fees come on top of the standard 1% fee that Visa and MasterCard charge for foreign purchases. So you could end up spending an additional 3% on every credit card purchase. Many travelers aren't aware of the fees until they get their bills, says Greg McBride, senior analyst for Bankrate.com.
Not all banks impose an additional 2% fee. Providian Financial, for example, charges only 1% on top of the MasterCard or Visa fee, according to Bankrate.com (see chart). Capitol One Financial absorbs the entire MasterCard and Visa fee, so card holders pay no currency-conversion charges. The fees may also be lower for credit cards that are issued by smaller banks and credit unions, says Ed Perkins, author of Business Travel: When It's Your Money.
Unless you're planning an extravagant trip, opening a new credit card account just to avoid a 2% surcharge might not be worth the hassle. But if you already have several credit cards, you can cut costs by using the one with the lowest conversion fees.
Even with the currency-conversion fee, you'll save money by using credit cards instead of cash for foreign purchases, says Linda Sherry of Consumer Action, a consumer group that rates credit cards. Credit card issuers can negotiate a better rate than you can get at a bank, exchange bureau or hotel. Those establishments may also tack on surcharges that will add to your costs.
A 2005 Consumer Reports survey of transaction costs found that converting dollars into euros at an exchange bureau cost 10% more than using a Wells Fargo Visa with a 3% conversion fee. Exchanging dollars at a five-star hotel cost 22% more. "It's still a bargain to use a credit card," Sherry says.
When you need cash
Credit cards work fine for most purchases, as long as you resolve to pay off your balance. But you'll still need cash for tips, cabs and cappuccinos. Fortunately, the proliferation of global ATM networks means you can use your ATM or debit card to get foreign currency almost anywhere in the world.
As is the case with credit cards, the exchange rate is usually better than you'll get at a foreign currency exchange. But again, you have to keep an eye on fees.
Banks use different methods to charge customers for foreign ATM withdrawals. Some impose conversion or withdrawal fees ranging from 1% to 3% of the amount withdrawn. Others charge a flat fee of up to $5 per withdrawal. Some banks charge both a flat withdrawal fee and a percentage of the amount withdrawn. "You want to stay away from those," Perkins says.
You can reduce or eliminate withdrawal fees by doing some research before you go, Perkins says. Check your bank's website to find out which brands of ATMs are in its network and how much they charge. For example, Bank of America customers who use ATMs with the Global ATM Alliance network can withdraw money from ATMs for free, according to Bankrate.com.
Likewise, if you use a debit card issued through Visa or MasterCard, you can check their websites for partner banks in different cities, Sherry says. |
