The
Turks and Caicos has joined the Bahamas and Jamaica in easing
passport requirements for U.S. travelers in accordance with the
revised Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Under the
temporarily relaxed travel rules, U.S. citizens who have applied
for but not yet received passports are now allowed to leave and
re-enter the U.S. by air. Travelers must present proof of passport
application and government issued photo identification (such as a
driver's license or voter identification card).
Through Sept. 30,
visitors may travel to the Turks and Caicos under the new passport
rules.
Lindsey Musgrove,
director of tourism, said that the destination "is pleased to join
our fellow Caribbean nations in accommodating and welcoming
travelers onto our shores."
Travelers must file
an application for a passport prior to travel in order to qualify.
Official proof of applications for a U.S. passport can be accessed
and downloaded from the State Department Web site at http://travel.state.gov.
For official
notification on what is required by all Caribbean nations,
travelers are advised to check with each destination's tourism
board or consulate office.
To contact the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail
to Gay Nagle Myers at [email protected].