Activate your enhanced identification card

You must activate your enhanced identification card (EIC) before you use it to enter the U.S.

• Activate your EIC at least 72 hours before you use it to cross the border. This allows sufficient time for ICBC to notify border officials that your card has been activated.
• Activate your EIC as soon as you receive it in the mail. A card activation date is printed on the letter you receive with your card. You have 30 calendar days from the printed date to activate your card.

What you'll need

When you activate your EIC, you'll need two numbers:

• the card activation number you received at the end of your application appointment, and
• the serial number from the back of your EIC, underneath the bar code.

How to activate your card

The easiest way to activate your card is to use the online Enhanced Card Activation System:

Hours: Available 4 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to midnight on Sundays.

You can also call the EDL Customer Line at 1-866-972-6888 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you don't activate your EIC within 30 days

You may be denied access into the U.S if your EIC isn't activated within 30 days—unless you have other acceptable ID with you.

If your EIC isn't activated within 30 days you may be required to:

• book a new appointment, and
• go through the application process again to use your EIC for cross-border travel (normal replacement fees apply).

If you misplace your card activation number

Call the EDL Customer Line at 1-866-972-6888.