In order to fulfill the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the United States Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is in the process of developing a passport card system. The WHTI aims to strengthen border security by making it mandatory for visitors and United States citizens to provide secure and reliable documentation which identifies the individual and his or her citizenship. The WHTI is based upon the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop an identification plan for individuals entering the United States.

Also referred to as PASS card, a passport card is to be valid only for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. This card will be especially suitable for business travelers and other persons who live in border communities and travel frequently (by land or sea) between the United States, Canada and Mexico. The PASS card will also be a cheaper option for cruise ship passengers who travel from the United States to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The new passport card is to be lightweight and easy to carry; like your driving license, it will fit comfortably into your wallet. That is why it is so convenient for travelers who are required to frequently cross borders between Mexico, US and Canada. The limited-use passport card will be adjudicated to the same standards as a traditional passport book. The wallet-sized card would cost $10 for children and $20 for adults, plus a $25 execution fee.

The PASS card or the passport card will be a new addition to the current list of acceptable proofs of identification, which include passports, the Mexican laser visa, and the SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST cards used along the northern border. Senior US government officials claim that the passport card will be a traveler-friendly solution to the tightened border credential requirement of today. The card is to be issued by the United States State Department. The responsibility of designing the technology will, however, be determined by the Department of Homeland Security. The proposed PASS card or passport card is likely to use long-range, or vicinity, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to link the card to a secure U.S. government database containing biographical data and a photograph. The card itself will not contain any personal information, and DHS will implement protections to keep the database secure.

Only United States citizens can have the PASS card. Those who are yet to acquire United States citizenship can apply for U.S. citizenship as soon as possible.

The WHTI has two implementation phases: January 23, 2007 and January 1, 2008. The first one (Jan 23, 2007) only involves air travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America. United States citizens must possess a valid passport after January 8, 2007 to be allowed boarding. The second one (Jan 1, 2008) is the proposed date from when all United States citizens will have to possess a valid passport so that they can travel to any foreign country by land, sea and air.