Beginning in 2008, Iowans will have to pack a passport along with their luggage and fishing gear when they head north to Canada. Tighter border controls will require the showing of a passport upon reentering the U.S. Pete Schultz, at the International Falls Visitors Bureau, says applying for a passport could be an eye-opener for some travelers. Schultz says “Sometimes people show up at the border intending to go into Canada and they’re not allowed to progress because they’ve carried a D-U-I on their record which is distinctly against the law for entry into Canada. And they don’t know that in advance and if nobody tells them they might be quite surprised at the border, but if they are applying for a passport they might be informed of that in advance.” Schultz says he doubts the new requirement would slow the flow of visitors. He says “People who are savvy travelers to Canada and pass through our area with that in mind already know that there’s a delay at the bridge and sometimes a delay coming back. So checking a passport is only an inconvenience in terms of applying for it in advance.” It’s not just Canada, but American travelers who are reentering the U.S. from Mexico, Panama and Bermuda will also have to show their passports.
Iowa's Radio News Network
