Here's my story. I recently applied for a renewal for my passport which expired last fall. Sent the form in, got back my old passport and my passport card about a month later. Did not get the new passport, however. I called the passport office (in Virginia, I believe) , got a tracking number (they wouldn't track it for me) and discovered my renewed passport was supposedly delivered by the Post Office on the same day I actually got my old passport returned to me. So I went through the trash and recycle bin; to no avail. Nearly two weeks later, still no new passport, I cancelled the passport online thinking it was lost or stolen. The very next day one of my neighbors came by and annouced they found some of my mail in their junk mail "pile". Turns out my new passport was in this pile; envelope looking every bit like a routine piece of junk mail unless you read it carefully. Problem is I cancelled the passport. I recalled the passport office and they finally put me on the phone with a supervisor who told me my passport was irretrievably cancelled and I would have to reapply (in person, not online or by mail) and pay all the fees again.
About two weeks ago, I brought in my mail and found a familiar looking envelope. This time it was a neighbor's passport (down the street) whom I immediately hand delivered the passport to.
Yikes.
About two weeks ago, I brought in my mail and found a familiar looking envelope. This time it was a neighbor's passport (down the street) whom I immediately hand delivered the passport to.
Yikes.
4
Hey Gov't Haters: I have always used the govt passport service - mail-in regular service and super fast window service - and have always received my passport quickly and (relatively) cheaply. People love to bash the govt across the board but in my experience the passport service works great.
7
I agree - have gotten great service from the passport service. If you've worked in a lot of developing countries as I have, you know that our government services actually work quite well in the vast majority of cases. Believe me, it can be much worse!
3
Paper passports and visas seem very quaint, very 19th century -- and, unfortunately, very prone to loss or theft or fraud.
In this day and age of biometrics, is there no discussion among governments of moving to some international database of fingerprints or iris scans? Surely we can do better than paper travel documents.
In this day and age of biometrics, is there no discussion among governments of moving to some international database of fingerprints or iris scans? Surely we can do better than paper travel documents.
I very recently went to a regional passport office for expedited service on a passport renewal (due to urgent business trip) and got same day service. This is quick of a turn around is not usual, so don't expect it, but who says our government doesn't work?
3
All the "privatizers" say our government doesn't work, and when they get political power, they make sure to engineer policies which make sure that government doesn't work so as to implement privatizing. Similar routines apply to healthcare, especially medicare ("Advantage" plans, for example.
It's like a sidewalk game of hiding a coin under "shells" that you have to keep track of to win. The American public doesn't win -- the big bucks do.
It's like a sidewalk game of hiding a coin under "shells" that you have to keep track of to win. The American public doesn't win -- the big bucks do.
Visas for travel to China must be applied for in person. If your nearest city has no Chinese embassy, you must travel to a city that does. The application must be completed on the digital download, then printed. Bring your passport plus a color copy of your passport. If everything is completed, your visa should be issued within a few days. We found lots of advice on Yelp and Trip Advisor that we were glad we followed.
Not correct. Just used a third party service and got it within 6 business days. We fedexed everything to the visa service company.
3
> must be applied for in person
Wrong.
Wrong.
1
Missing piece of this article-infants and children under 5 require a passport. Yes even if they are only a few months old they require a passport to travel abroad. The passport for infants or toddlers entails a certified birth certificate, both parents present as well as infant and of course the criminal background check.
7
Silly article - people who have a passport know how to get one and know that you need at least 6 months.
I always use a service. I'm usually an economical person but I think the service fee is money very well spent. I don't want to put my passport in the mail and I don't want to be without it for SIX WEEKS in case I want to leave the country.
I also use a service to get my visas. They know how to get the paperwork done so that it won't be rejected. Again, money well spent.
For Tokyo Tony who asked about getting a new one while living outside the US, I actually found that much easier! When I lived outside the US, I walked over to the US consulate and had a new passport a few days later. The last time I was getting ready to renew my passport, I seriously considered doing it while on vacation.
I always use a service. I'm usually an economical person but I think the service fee is money very well spent. I don't want to put my passport in the mail and I don't want to be without it for SIX WEEKS in case I want to leave the country.
I also use a service to get my visas. They know how to get the paperwork done so that it won't be rejected. Again, money well spent.
For Tokyo Tony who asked about getting a new one while living outside the US, I actually found that much easier! When I lived outside the US, I walked over to the US consulate and had a new passport a few days later. The last time I was getting ready to renew my passport, I seriously considered doing it while on vacation.
3
It silly to pay for the service
5
Totally disagree with you on the 6 month thing...I never heard about this until last year when I was trying to get my boarding pass for a flight to Germany. I was able to go to a passport office and get a passport the next day and make my flight (Great Job, Detroit Passport Office!), but after mentioning this to all my friends, NONE knew that a passport that is still valid does not allow you fly if it's within 6 months of expiration....
3
Susie,
On the contrary, I found this article to be a helpful reminder about passport renewal. Many years ago pre 9/11 as I cleared passport
control in the UK (with my UK passport) the immigration officer handed me my passport and said "your passport expires today".
Remember that not every US citizen is an experienced jet setter like you!
On the contrary, I found this article to be a helpful reminder about passport renewal. Many years ago pre 9/11 as I cleared passport
control in the UK (with my UK passport) the immigration officer handed me my passport and said "your passport expires today".
Remember that not every US citizen is an experienced jet setter like you!
2
My passport was expiring in October so I sent it in for renew this month. The last couple of times I used an Agency but I wasn't in a hurry this time so filed directly with the State Department. I selected the expedited service thinking it would take 3-4 weeks. I had my new passport within a week. I received my old passport back a week after that. It is a lot easier and less of a hassle than getting a drivers license renewed in Texas when you actually have to go into the TX DPS office.
As an added suggestion, if you haven't applied for TSA Pre, you might want to check into it.
As an added suggestion, if you haven't applied for TSA Pre, you might want to check into it.
12
I just got mine back in 10 days using the regular service.
1
Check for the six-month rule here - https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html
When it is time to renew your passport consider the passport card for an additional $30.00 - the size of a drivers license and valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and for domestic air travel and not valid for international air travel.
When it is time to renew your passport consider the passport card for an additional $30.00 - the size of a drivers license and valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and for domestic air travel and not valid for international air travel.
5
Seems like, after reading Comments, there is the need for a website spreadsheet listing all countries with VISA requirements/deadlines, plus pertinent links to official websites for obtaining VISAs and passport renewals.
Done. How about an App, software developers?
Done. How about an App, software developers?
4
A piece of advice this article missed entirely: If all your Visa pages (where the passport is stamped) are nearly full of stamps get extra pages (you need to send your passport to the State Department for them to be inserted). Countries can deny you entry if there is not sufficient blank space on your visa pages for stampis.
14
The US no longer adds extra pages to passports. If you do not have sufficient blank space for visa stamps/stickers you will need to obtain a new passport book.
13
Extra pages are no longer available.
Three weeks ago, I used express mail on a Monday to send my renewal to the State Department and paid for expedited service. I did not pay for (or receive) express mail for the return of my passport. My new passport was delivered by regular mail on the following Monday.
7
Unfortunately, this article provides no information on passport renewal for US citizens living outside the US. How long does it take? Can we use the on-line tools? Can we pay the fee in the local (foreign) currency?
1
Don't travel to UAE or Israel (or visa versa) then expect to go to the other as they'll reject your passport at the border and NOT let you in.
3
if you ask them not to stamp in Israel, they won't stamp it.
1
The UAE requires an entry visa. These in turn require a local 'sponsor.' Hotels routinely sponsor guests with reservations
1
Renewing a US passport overseas at an embassy is the fastest, I've always found. Two weeks and you've got it in hand with no extra fees for expediting. I'm guessing they don't want to risk you wandering around with out a valid passport. Very thoughtful!
Also, don't forget to check the option for a LARGE passport at the top of the application. This gives you a passport with about double the pages of the default one, for no more money. If you travel a lot, it's a big mistake to forget this...
But my real question is, when do the new US passport designs come out? I was not a fan of the current design, though it's grown on me. Initially, I thought it was a bit overwrought and insecure. Now I see the new Irish passport and it's genuinely beautiful. Not something I've ever found myself saying about a government document...
Also, don't forget to check the option for a LARGE passport at the top of the application. This gives you a passport with about double the pages of the default one, for no more money. If you travel a lot, it's a big mistake to forget this...
But my real question is, when do the new US passport designs come out? I was not a fan of the current design, though it's grown on me. Initially, I thought it was a bit overwrought and insecure. Now I see the new Irish passport and it's genuinely beautiful. Not something I've ever found myself saying about a government document...
4
I'm in the process of applying for a visa to Vietnam (from Australia), and there's a curious twist: one can apply for a visa six months in advance, but the dates of travel must be supplied, so one has to time this so the visa is still valid at the end of the trip. Read the small print when applying for visas, and remember--sometimes visa rules (and costs) change suddenly, so it pays to be on top of things. Safe travels everyone!
2
One key item to remember at all times is that immigration and emigration are considered privileges, not entitlements, in the eyes of United States Code. One who has enough money to travel and acquire a passport needs to be humbled accordingly, and the bureaucracy may still kick in enough wait time and other obstacles to ensure this occurs. Similarly, other countries don't have to let one in, and do not owe the traveler an explanation as to why.
4
Emigration is not a privilege. You actually do not need a passport to leave the US as far as the government cares. Airlines will however check for passports when you are leaving for an international destination because if you are not allowed into that destination absent a passport, the airline will have to fly you back to the US at their cost
2
I renewed my passport in June. Got the application in my local post office, new photo, paid regular fee and sent it by regular mail. Four weeks later the new passport came; a few days later my old passport arrived separately.
3
Is it possible to get a passport renewed while traveling if one doesn't have a permanent home address or home base? I'm planning to travel for years from country to country using Airbnb. My passport will expire during that time and I simply won't have a mailing address that does anything more than scan my mail and allow me to view it online.
2
Yes, or at least it used to be. I once had my passport extended in Brunei - while I waited for it
4
There is nothing that prevents you from renewing a passport early. Even if it has a year or two left on it, renew it before setting off on your trip and you will be able to travel for 10 years before worrying about it again.
5
What I like about this article is an advice that says,a passport should be valid for a minimum six months from your date of travel. Few months ago I made a mistake; I booked a ticket for myself and didn’t checked that my passport had only months validity remaining. Thankfully I got one site https://www.thepassportoffice.com/ where they renew my passport very quickly and it was a great thing for me.
4
American tourists can obtain a visa for Australia, called Electronic Travel Authority, in about 10 minutes at australianvisaauthority.org.
8
Yes, but I would not use that site. That is not the official government site. The official government site is at eta.immi.gov.au and the cost is 20 Australian dollars, or around $16 USD and normally issues the ETA practically instantaneously once you submit your application online. (The whole thing is done electronically and the ETA is electronic; you don't get a stamp in your passport. So you do not need to submit your physical passport, unlike a normal visa.). This website states the normal fee of $20 for a tourist ETA, but then charges an extra $50 for an "expedited" 1-hour turnaround application. That looks like a scam to me.
14
Canada is not one of those countries requiring at least six months passport validity for entry. After checking ahead with the specific Canadian port of entry, I recently traveled to Canada with less than a month left until my passport expired with no problem.
2
My son traveled to Canada with his Dr. license, a print out of his passport, SS card and a utility bill. Canada requires proof of residency and proof of citizenship. Not sure that all ports of entry would allow what he did but he did not have his passport in his possession so a printout was all he could provide.
1
I drive to Canada to shop -- less than an hour away -- and use my enhanced drivers' license. No passport required.
1
And, just try entering Canada with a DUI on your record and see how far you get. Were Justin Bieber an American, Canada would never let him in.
Mexico is a hot spot for US citizens traveling by land. Contrary to popular belief, no passport is required. Land only. Not plane, boat, or some other way. Yes, the guy in the both will say "passport please," but you say I don't have one and show him a library card or whatever and there is no problem. Mexico doesn't do any checking of anything where I cross the border from California. Now and then they ask if the dog has his shot records, I say no, and the say bring it next time. Border security!! You can check this info at the passport web site. WITTI compliant documents are required. Not a passport!!!
5
The problem may be re-entering the US.
...and when you return to the US, what about US Border Patrol? Don't they ask?
Make a note to run this article again on the first Wednesday in November.
85
Good one - actually it'll be the second Wednesday because election day is November 8.
2
By then, Canada may need a visa....
My tip from experience if you need a passport in a rush and don't want to waste money on an expediter: get to Hudson Street passport office by 7am (after that the line grows a lot) with all your paperwork, photos and proof of travel and you'll have your passport by 2pm the next day for hundreds of dollars less than the expediters (whose agents you will see waiting on the very same line as you). When they tell you your passport will be ready the next day by 10am, it may really take until 1 or 2pm. Good luck and don't freak out!
6
You advise applying for your visa asap. But China requires that you get yours visa no earlier than 90 days prior to your trip. I'm not sure if other countries have similar requirements.
3
Also it should be mentioned that Brazil has waived its visa requirement through September.
3
What a worthless article. We travel a lot internationally, and the major issue we run into are the different time periods foreign governments have to apply for visas.
For Chinese visas, visitors need to apply within 90 days of entering the country. This created a timing issue earlier this year, as I had a Europe trip 45 days before China. Expedited processing worked great. The good news is Chinese visas are good for ten years.
Visas can be obtained for Vietnam and Cambodia six months prior to entering the country, but are not available for multi year time periods.
So how about writing an article that describes visa application timelines and rules for various countries, rather than a generalized, non-specific write-up that contains little practical information?
For Chinese visas, visitors need to apply within 90 days of entering the country. This created a timing issue earlier this year, as I had a Europe trip 45 days before China. Expedited processing worked great. The good news is Chinese visas are good for ten years.
Visas can be obtained for Vietnam and Cambodia six months prior to entering the country, but are not available for multi year time periods.
So how about writing an article that describes visa application timelines and rules for various countries, rather than a generalized, non-specific write-up that contains little practical information?
17
No need to worry if you are a frequent traveler. You can get a second active passport. It's only good for two years (not 10), but it's worth the price (same price as for a regular passport) just for the peace of mind. All you have to do is submit your original passport and processing fee, provide a written statement as to why you need two passports, and also provide evidence (e.g., flight itineraries) supporting your written statement. Processing time is about 6 weeks (but can be expedited). I used my second active passport two weeks ago. When I used the Global Entry machine at immigration on my return to the USA, my new passport worked even though I hadn't "linked it" to my Global Entry authorization.
"Forgetting about these essentials is a common mistake, even for frequent travelers, according to Jason Miller,..."
Good ol' New York Times. Creating a straw man to justify a stupid article.
I've been traveling for over 50 years. Never had a mistake. Gee, I must be a member of the 1%.
Good ol' New York Times. Creating a straw man to justify a stupid article.
I've been traveling for over 50 years. Never had a mistake. Gee, I must be a member of the 1%.
8
I thought so too until I my flight check in reminder came, and when entering the passport details, I realized that my son's passport had expired two weeks earlier.
However, I'm not sure why the Times needed to ask Mr. Miller whether people make stupid mistakes...
I can tell you yes, yes they do.
However, I'm not sure why the Times needed to ask Mr. Miller whether people make stupid mistakes...
I can tell you yes, yes they do.
4
I used to have an intercontinental trip every two weeks on average for 33 years and yes, I did forget once and arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle with an expired passport (on a holiday weekend to make it worse)
3
The government should be able to process passports in two weeks on an everyday basis without charging for an expedited service.
5
That would be accurate if the State Department has a sufficient number of employees and up to date computer programs to make this work efficiently. Also let's not forget the politicization of immigration issues and its effect on the "vetting" of those seeking new or renewed passports. The only "easy" answer is to be diligent and not let your passport expire or be on the cusp of expiration.
2
Brazil has waived visa requirement for U.S. Citizens traveling to the Olympics.
3
Um, the part about expediting visas and how to do that if you need to is a bit wanting, don't you think?
7
While its important to understand all your options when applying for your passport the traditional approach is using the post office , county clerk or even the regional offices. All now require appointments to visit these facilities. Then there is all the expediting services online and honestly it's very difficult to choose the right Expeditor. RushPassportCenter.com has proven to be a solid resource to choose a passpoer and visa Expeditor online to meet your rush travel needs.
1
India offers visa over the internet and email now a days. So does Australia. Didn't check the others.
9
You can get a same day passport issued at any federal building. It's a $60 rush fee and proof of travel within 48 hours. There is absolutely no need to pay a passport service e for this of you are at all near a federal building.
17
@Dana--Surely, not at ANY federal building. Most federal buildings don't have State Department offices that could issue passports. I worked in federal buildings most of my working life and I think I never worked in a building with a passport-issuing office.
2
we did this in 2010 when my daughter lost her passport 3 days before travel. Worked great.
This article neglects to mention the fastest (and probably least expensive) way to get a new passport when you need it immediately: contact your congressional office. Assuming they know what they're doing, there's a system in place for them to contact the State Department on behalf of constituents and you can have a new passport in a matter of hours (I speak from experience, and had no special connection to my Member of Congress).
29
I wish the article was posted a week ago. My passport had recently expired and my trip to Italy got cancelled couple of days ago.
You can get passport in 24 hrs in NYC or pay an agent 300 dollars, you don't have to wait a minute in line they get you the new passport in 24 hrs
You can get passport in 24 hrs in NYC or pay an agent 300 dollars, you don't have to wait a minute in line they get you the new passport in 24 hrs
4
What a relief! I've had my passport valid for the last nine years, accompanyied by a a horrendously awful photo of me and the only reason I didn't change it was for the assumed prohibitive cost. Now, I won't have to hide my passport from the view from others. "Vanity of vanity, all is vanity."
2
I thought the same thing, Roberto21. Then my passport expired, and when I received the new one, I compared the two photos, saw the ravages of the past 10 years, and thought "I didn't look so bad ten years ago after all".
17
I have all my passports, from the time I got my first one way back in the late 1960s. It is indeed "interesting" to see the panorama of my aging self!
1
My experience in March of this year was, sent my passport in for renewal with priority mail paid online, printed label from my printer and within 2 weeks received my new passport. Not clear if the 6 weeks is really the case.
1
Hi Ben, Six weeks is the current processing time. Summer is actually the "high season" for passport renewals, plus there's a surge of renewal applications this year.
Here's more info: https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2016/02/passport-processing-time-inc...
Here's more info: https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2016/02/passport-processing-time-inc...
2
Same here and in summer. Back in two weeks. I was told it may be because of my age tho I find that hard to believe because of my travel history to non standard East European countries.
1
Got mine in 2 weeks; applied online in late July
1
Many visas require you show proof of round trip flight purchase into and out of the country, so getting your visa before "booking your trip" often is not an option.
8
What is not mentioned here, that if your passport has expired for a several years, I think it is five, one has to apply for a brand new one, and the process takes quite a bit longer.
7
The process is no longer than renewal. Had my photo taken and filled out the form at the local U.S. Post Office. Received my passport in under three weeks (last month.)
1
Spend the extra $30 and get a Passport Card when you renew. It's not valid for air travel (land and sea only for Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean), but serves as a very high security federal government ID that's valid for ten years.
Various states' driver's licenses are either not now Department of Homeland Security compliant for domestic travel or will become non-compliant later this year. The Passport Card allows you to avoid this issue without the need to carry the somewhat inconveniently-sized conventional Passport. In addition the Passport Card does not include your address so you can use it as a general ID without subjecting yourself to unwanted mailings.
In my opinion the best reason for getting a Passport Card is that it allows you to avoid the possibility of losing your Driver's License as you fumble your way through airport security. (My nightmares include arriving in Los Angeles without the ability to rent a car. You might as well turn around and go home.)
Various states' driver's licenses are either not now Department of Homeland Security compliant for domestic travel or will become non-compliant later this year. The Passport Card allows you to avoid this issue without the need to carry the somewhat inconveniently-sized conventional Passport. In addition the Passport Card does not include your address so you can use it as a general ID without subjecting yourself to unwanted mailings.
In my opinion the best reason for getting a Passport Card is that it allows you to avoid the possibility of losing your Driver's License as you fumble your way through airport security. (My nightmares include arriving in Los Angeles without the ability to rent a car. You might as well turn around and go home.)
17
My Passport Card (which I use instead of a driver's license as proof of who I am...it has no personal identifying information except my passport card number, my DOB and that I am a US citizen so retail establishments can't access my contact information) expires five years after my passport does. I keep both of them current. That way, when one is in for renewal, I can use the other one for travel.
I don't fly outside of the US (and I drive or take a ferry to Canada) so this may not apply to you. But folks who, like me, live close to the Canadian border and drive or take a boat to cross it at least once a year (I'm thinking of Buffalo, Detroit, Portland, and other places like that) should spend the money to get a passport card with an expiration date at least a couple of years after (or before) your actual passport).
I don't fly outside of the US (and I drive or take a ferry to Canada) so this may not apply to you. But folks who, like me, live close to the Canadian border and drive or take a boat to cross it at least once a year (I'm thinking of Buffalo, Detroit, Portland, and other places like that) should spend the money to get a passport card with an expiration date at least a couple of years after (or before) your actual passport).
1
It figures that someone who's living inside the Beltway is pushing for a national ID card.
I live as far as you can from the beltway in the lower 48 so this is nonsense.
Quick comment. The mention of visas for Brazil is likely to worry travelers to the Olympics. Brazil put in a place a visa waiver program for the Olympics for US citizens from June 1 to September 18th -- tourism visitors need no visa. See http://www.portalconsular.mre.gov.br/estrangeiros/qgrv-simples-ing-12.05...
1
Be wary of using an online expediter unless you absolutely can't get to a state dept office --- they just get the same appointment/service you are entitled to if you go to the office and need expedited service. We used one once, and missed our trip. The expediter delayed it one day (apparently because they had too many customers for the date we paid for, thinking we'd get it on time a day later), and incredibly Fed Ex got snowed in at Memphis, so our passports got stuck there and did not get back to us in time to make our trip. We were able to recoup our expedite fees, but lost money on the trip, and missed the trip completely.
5
What great advice from a savvy traveler.
Just popped in to my post office Friday morning to get a new passport to replace the old one from the 1970's. Took 20 minutes -- from photo to signature -- and was told it would arrive in 2 to 3 weeks. $110 plus $40 for the USPS service and photo fees.
I don't need visas, so can't join that conversation.
I don't need visas, so can't join that conversation.
6
P.S. As promised, I received my new passport before the end of July. Not even three weeks!
Funny thing about passports. I last renewed mine in 2009 when my old one expired. Then I didn't go anywhere. But early this year, I took a cruise from Florida to Italy, with stops at the Madiera Islands (Portugal), and two stops in Spain. Upon cruise departure, Holland America inspected my passport. But on the day excursions, there was no passport control at the ports. Upon reaching Italy, the final destination, it was a Sunday morning, and there was no one there to see passports on entry to the country. I then traveled by train through Austria, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France, where I flew home via Icelandair. Some hotels wanted to see the passport, as did Icelandair on departure. The first time an actual government passport control sought to see my passport was when changing planes in Iceland.
So there I was, 5 weeks from home, traveling through Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Iceland. And not one passport stamp. I feel like I missed out.
So there I was, 5 weeks from home, traveling through Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Iceland. And not one passport stamp. I feel like I missed out.
22
I know how you feel. After 9/11 when passports were required for travel to Canada my wife and I each got a passport for the first tie. When she and my daughter, who already had a passport, went to Canada my wife was rather annoyed that they did not ask for her new passport.
5
On the way out of the US, I guess they may not ask. But on the way back to the US, they will.
I used to ask the officials to stamp mine when it would be viewed. There was some sighing and eye rolls but most did it.
For the record, while it's not guaranteed that a visa can be rushed, many countries do offer express service for visas. China was listed by the NY Times, and you can get a visa the same day (drop off before 12PM, pick up at 2:00PM). (The Chinese are very efficient in this.) On the other hand, I know of one colleague who got into serious trouble because he sent his passport off by FedEx to the Indian embassy for 'express service', and after 3 weeks he had overstayed his visa in the country because he still hadn't received his passport! So ask around how reliable the staff at an embassy are as well.
17
If you are obtaining a new passport, you can get additional pages at no extra cost. Good insurance for visas you may get in the future or for a cranky border official.
20
Actually, I slightly regret getting my passport with the additional pages. There are certain visa applications and background checks that ask for a complete copy of the passport, so that takes twice as long to prepare. Additionally, it just gives more pages and travel history for people at the border to flip through and ask dumb questions about, as well as being just that little bit thicker and bulkier.
In future, I'll opt for the standard size, and replace it when I need to.
In future, I'll opt for the standard size, and replace it when I need to.
2
Actually, no. There is an extra fee. And the State Department is doing away with this option anyways.
1
Actually, the State Department no longer puts extra pages in American passports. Instead, if you run out of pages in your passport, you need to get a new passport. The good news is that you can now get 52 page passports that last a lot longer!
3
You can save time and money by using an online photo tool at the State Department site to size and submit a separately taken digital photo.
23
I did this for my son's passport photo last week and saved $15. Here are the steps:
1. Shoot the photo using the government's simple guide.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photograp...
2. Use the online tool to automatically crop the picture to a 2 x 2 size.
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/passports/FIG_cropper.swf
3. Your pharmacy will not print the 2 x 2, so you need to convert it into a 4 x 6 format which will contain 4 pictures. There are several websites that charge for this but a free site that does a great job is Idphoto4you.
4. Upload the 4 x 6 to your favorite store to print (or print it on your printer). It cost me 32 cents at Walgreens.
The lady at the post office was disappointed that I did not get photos from her but she accepted mine all the same.
1. Shoot the photo using the government's simple guide.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photograp...
2. Use the online tool to automatically crop the picture to a 2 x 2 size.
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/passports/FIG_cropper.swf
3. Your pharmacy will not print the 2 x 2, so you need to convert it into a 4 x 6 format which will contain 4 pictures. There are several websites that charge for this but a free site that does a great job is Idphoto4you.
4. Upload the 4 x 6 to your favorite store to print (or print it on your printer). It cost me 32 cents at Walgreens.
The lady at the post office was disappointed that I did not get photos from her but she accepted mine all the same.
1
Be careful submitting a "digital" photo that you took yourself. If you read the restrictions on the admissible photos it is not that easy to take a photo that will be accepted
I got my son's new passport in the mail yesterday - no problems at all.
I wouldn't lump Australia in with the other countries listed. For Americans, an Australian visa consists of logging into a web site, providing some details about you and your journey, and paying a nominal fee. Approval normally is a matter of days.
There should be no need to hire a specialist to speed up the Australian paperwork process. Also, the airlines are electronically linked into the Australian system. If you haven't done this paperwork in advance, you will be denied boarding.
There should be no need to hire a specialist to speed up the Australian paperwork process. Also, the airlines are electronically linked into the Australian system. If you haven't done this paperwork in advance, you will be denied boarding.
13
You include Australia in the list of countries that require a visa and say 'getting one in a hurry isn't always an option.' But Australia uses e-visas - you can literally get one in minutes online.
37
You don't need to pay $500 to an agency to expedite a last minute passport if you live near one of the state department passport offices located in major US cities. Simply show up in person prepared to pay the standard expedited passport fee ($170) and they will probably squeeze you in if you have inmenent international travel (possibly even without an appointment). I suspect this is exactly what the independent agencies do. We once did this for my wife when we realized that her passport had less than six months of validity left two days before our flight.
17
In fact, you can, at least sometimes, replace a lost passport on the day of the flight in person.
2
We are traveling to the UK in November for about 10 days. No plans to stay any longer.
Our passports expire in March, 2017.
Do I really need to get them renewed because they expire in less than 6 months?
Our passports expire in March, 2017.
Do I really need to get them renewed because they expire in less than 6 months?
5
Yup. You sure do.
2
Why chance it?
6
6 months is recommended but your passport just needs to be valid during your stay. You can always check requirements at this site: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/united-kingdom.html
1
The visa section is a bit murky.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of visas: E Visas that you apply for online, and then your classic visas where you have to give your passport to the consulate and they put a stamp in your passport.
India and Australia, for example, use E Visas which are just about always approved within 48 hours. All they do is verify that your passport is valid.
Things get a bit more complicated with countries like China because you have to handover your passport to your region's consulate. If the consulate happens to be 1,000 miles away and you don't have a friend who can drop off and pick up your passport (along with your paperwork), then you have to pay someone to do that for you, which generally costs $100 to $150 including shipping (most companies will only ship back your passport with the most expensive FedEx option).
In my experience countries process tourist visas pretty quickly. The bigger headache are some of the requirements, such as having to book your flight and hotels before you apply for the visa (though I know a lot of people who have booked a hotel, applied, then canceled the hotel reservation so they could keep looking for a lower rate, and never run into a problem with the government).
Broadly speaking, there are two types of visas: E Visas that you apply for online, and then your classic visas where you have to give your passport to the consulate and they put a stamp in your passport.
India and Australia, for example, use E Visas which are just about always approved within 48 hours. All they do is verify that your passport is valid.
Things get a bit more complicated with countries like China because you have to handover your passport to your region's consulate. If the consulate happens to be 1,000 miles away and you don't have a friend who can drop off and pick up your passport (along with your paperwork), then you have to pay someone to do that for you, which generally costs $100 to $150 including shipping (most companies will only ship back your passport with the most expensive FedEx option).
In my experience countries process tourist visas pretty quickly. The bigger headache are some of the requirements, such as having to book your flight and hotels before you apply for the visa (though I know a lot of people who have booked a hotel, applied, then canceled the hotel reservation so they could keep looking for a lower rate, and never run into a problem with the government).
11
Australia does a bit more than just check your passport's validity. They are doing an advance background check against various watchlists and other security related databases.
12
If you travel a lot make sure you get what is called a 52 page book, not the 28 page one.
Since you can no longer get extra pages to insert (which cost almost as much as a new passport anyway) if you run out of pages you have to apply for a new passport. Obviously, the 52 page book will save you money and time.
Since you can no longer get extra pages to insert (which cost almost as much as a new passport anyway) if you run out of pages you have to apply for a new passport. Obviously, the 52 page book will save you money and time.
34
Next article - what exactly does it mean to run out of pages? Does every country need its own page? It looks like border officials go to a specific page to stamp - one for entering a country, one of exiting. As for visas, I think I Chinese visa, for example, takes up a whole page. Do they paste new visas over old ones?
1
When I recently renewed my passport the only option was the larger, 52-page book. I think they may have discontinued the smaller book.
1
Good timing - since my passport expires next March.
I'll soon have a daughter living in the UK. Is there anything you can do to expedite the process AFTER you've sent your passport in for routine renewal? That is, if something unexpected should happen during those six weeks and you need to go overseas immediately, what can your do?
I'll soon have a daughter living in the UK. Is there anything you can do to expedite the process AFTER you've sent your passport in for routine renewal? That is, if something unexpected should happen during those six weeks and you need to go overseas immediately, what can your do?
1
I sent mine in for renewal ($110 standard fare - not expedited) and got my new one in 8 days.
16
Yes. Call the National Passport Information Center.
6
I got it in the middle of this July, so I think I still have current information.
You don't have to pay anybody anything extra. It's just a SCAM.