Rule changes affect international travel

In the airline security field, the most recent change is the current ban on cigarette lighters both in carry-on luggage and in checked bags. Passengers are allowed to carry up to four books of safety matches in their carry-on luggage, but strike-anywhere matches are prohibited. Lighters, with their small butane tanks, are considered a risk for explosion on board planes.

The major changes, however, center around passport requirements. U.S. citizens will, in the future, be required to carry passports to pass immigration at countries that have previously only required a birth certificate and a picture ID. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all citizens of the U.S., Canada, Bermuda and Mexico to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. The requirement changes are spread over a three-year time line beginning Dec. 31, 2005 with passports required for travel on the following schedule:

Dec. 31, 2005 – For all air and sea travel to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

Dec. 31, 2006 – For all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

Dec. 31, 2007 – For all air, sea and border crossings for the above destinations.

Information about these changes may be found on the Internet at the Department of Homeland Security’s Web site, www.dhs

.gov, and questions about first passports or passport renewal can be answered at http://travel.state.gov/passport.

The current fee for a new passport is $97 for persons 16 years of age and over, $82 for persons under 16. The renewal fee for an existing passport is $67.

One of the extra benefits of a passport is that it allows a traveler to register with the State Department in advance of travel. If you should run into problems during your trip, the American Embassy at your destination will know you are there and will have information on hand to offer assistance. You can register on the Internet at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

We recommend that current passport holders renew the passports if there is less than six months’ validity remaining. Many countries will not issue visas to persons with passports that will expire in less than six months. Applications for new passports may take up to two months to process, so plan ahead if you will need a passport soon. Renewals usually will take two weeks or less, not including mail time.

If you have any travel dreams or plans, you should now have a passport in hand as the new rulings dictate the need for proper documentation when entering and leaving the United States.

Your passport can open the door to travel. So consider applying for or renewing your passport soon and you won’t miss the opportunity for taking a last-minute trip or have to delay a planned journey.

Linda and Dr. Don Overend are principals in The Travel Group, a full-service travel agency.