U.S. Passport Renewal…do it as early as possible

1.) Expired Passports and Travel Plans: During the pandemic, many found their passports had expired. After all, who was traveling anywhere internationally? Many people traveled within their own countries, and national parks and state parks saw a massive spike in visitors.

2.) Renewal Delays and Cancellations: Due to pent-up demand and a lack of resources, passport renewal waiting times increased significantly, leading to canceled international trips due to expired passports and the lengthy renewal process. Travel agents have long advised allowing a few months for U.S. passport renewals. The timeline became significantly longer when the pandemic showed signs of finally getting under control, with new vaccines and safety protocols being established and borders beginning to open.

3.) Current Processing Times and Advice: Currently, passport processing times are estimated at 6 to 8 weeks for mailed-in applications. Allow extra time for renewal, especially for international trips requiring six months’ validity beyond your return date. Each country can decide to accept/decline entry based on the expiration date of your passport. Travelers are advised to renew their passports well in advance of any planned trips. I would begin the process at least 3 months (12 weeks) ahead of your departure date. Consider the time required to send in your (non-expired) passport to a consulate or embassy to get a tourist/business visa to enter a country. This buffer will hopefully give you plenty of time in case something happens. You would be surprised at how many passport applications get ‘lost in the mail’!

4.) Unusual Volumes and Staff Efforts: The State Department reported “unusual volumes of applications” due to pent-up travel demand. They have increased staff capacity, hired additional contractors, and assigned more staff to reduce processing times. It’s important to note that processing times begin when the passport is received at a passport agency or center, not when the application is sent. Processing times do not take into account mailing/courier shipping schedules.

5.) Expedited Services and Urgent Travel: Expedited processing ($60) takes around 2-3 weeks. For those with urgent travel needs, in-person appointments are available, though they are highly competitive and difficult to secure. Emergency options are available for life-or-death emergencies or travel within 72 hours. Appointments must be scheduled by phone through the National Passport Information Center. Check different agencies to see which one can handle urgent requests.

6.) Creative Solutions and Third-Party Services: Travelers are advised to contact their local passport offices (US Post Offices are easy to find and begin the process in person). Third-party services are available for faster renewals, though they come with high fees. For example, RushMyPassport offers a basic ‘Smart Service’ (60 days) for $150, ‘Expedited’ (21 days) for $ 210, ‘Priority’ (7-9 days) for $365-$430 or you could go nuclear and get the ‘emergency” (2-4 days) for $ 600. A Wash DC based service, GenVisa offers standard service 7-9 weeks for $ 150, 7-10 day service for $400, 3-5 day service for $ 500. ALL service fees are PLUS the government fees of $ 211.

Other creative solutions could be:

A) Contact local U.S. senators or congressional representatives for assistance. B) Track application status online within two weeks of submission. C) Take a photo of the passport before mailing for renewal and store in the cloud.

7.) Domestic Alternatives and Final Tips: If renewal isn’t possible in time for an international trip, consider a domestic getaway. Always take a photo of your passport before mailing it in for renewal to have a reference in case it gets lost. You can still travel outside the continental US to territories where you do not need a passport. There are plenty of amazing destinations that are passport-free.

8.) Conclusion: Passport renewals spiked immediately post-pandemic but seem to be back to normal now. All passport renewals take time, so plan well ahead of time. While passport renewal processes are improving, travelers should remain proactive in checking expiration dates and allowing ample time for renewal to avoid potential disruptions to their travel plans. The situation continues to evolve, and it’s advisable to check the most recent updates from the U.S. Department of State before planning international travel. Even if you are not traveling anytime soon, now would be the best time to begin the process since there is no hurry. Remember, once you have a valid passport (non-expired or about to expire), the next step could be sending your passport to a consulate or embassy for a VISA for your destination. This also takes time. Avoid last-minute scrambling and prepare for your much anticipated vacation/business travel with peace of mind. Most of all, avoid canceling a trip because your passport is expired or about to expire. That mistake could cost you dearly with no recourse. Travel insurance will not cover that!

Links to the U.S. State Department passport pages:

US Passport Page at State Department

Direct Link to Passport Procedures

Original Article Posted Here: https://sergiophototours.com/u-s-passport-renewal/