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Long delays in obtaining a new US passport have decreased since earlier in 2023 but have not yet returned to their pre-pandemic baseline.
As of Nov. 6, the U.S. State Department was processing routine passport applications in seven to 10 weeks, the agency said. It processes expedited applications – which cost more – in three to five weeks.
Travelers who applied for a passport between March 24 and October 1 – the peak of the backlog – waited 10 to 13 weeks for routine passport processing, and five to seven weeks for an expedited application.
After factoring in additional shipping time, the State Department recommended travelers apply at least six months before planned travel or passport expiration.
“Passport processing times are definitely shorter than they used to be,” said Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet. “(But) it’s still a very long time if you’re trying to jump on some kind of last-minute airfare deal” like those usually offered on “Travel Tuesday,” which falls on Nov. 28 this year.
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Record passport demand prompts delays
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Delays in passport processing have resulted from high demand for international travel as pandemic-era quarantines and travel restrictions ease.
The State Department issued more than 24 million passport books and cards between October 2022 and September 2023, a record number for a federal fiscal year.
The agency has tried to reduce the backlog by “aggressively” recruiting and hiring across passport agencies and centers, having passport employees log “tens of thousands” of overtime hours a month, and opening a satellite office to help process applications, it said.
“As more Americans travel internationally again, we are directing resources to meet the unprecedented demand seen so far in 2023,” the State Department said.
Although delays have improved, they are still not back to normal.
Before the pandemic, it took two to three weeks for expedited passports and six to eight weeks for routine passport processing, the State Department said.
“It’s always been quite a while,” said French. “You always had to plan well in advance to get that passport.”
The State Department anticipates further updates on processing times later this year.
Passport demand generally fluctuates throughout the year. Processing times are usually faster during the slower season from October to December, according to the State Department.
How much does a passport cost?
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A traditional passport — a passport book — costs $130. One-time applicants must pay an additional admission fee of $35.
Travelers can pay more for faster service. Expedited passport processing costs an additional $60.
Travelers can purchase expedited delivery of a new passport book by mail — for delivery in one to two days — for an additional $19.53.
They can also send an application faster by purchasing Priority Mail Express service from the US Postal Service. The price varies according to the area of the country, according to the State Department.
In some circumstances, travelers may be able to speed up the process.
A Life or Death Emergency Service is available for people traveling abroad in the next three working days who have a qualifying emergency. Urgent Travel Service is for those traveling abroad within 14 calendar days.
Why an unexpired passport can still cost you
US passports are generally valid for 10 years. They are valid for five years if issued before the age of 16.
In some cases, Americans may not be allowed to travel even if their passport has not yet expired. Some countries prohibit entry if the passport’s expiration date falls just a few months after the end date of travel.
For example, the Schengen Area, which encompasses 27 European nations, requires that a US passport be valid for at least 90 days after your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.
Many countries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions require at least six months of validity for permission to enter. Other areas, such as Hong Kong and Macau, require one month.
This is among the reasons why it is generally wise to consider renewing a passport a year after it expires, French said.
You may also need to apply for a separate visa to enter certain nations, a process that requires additional time and planning. The State Department has information on passport and visa requirements for specific countries.
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(tagsTo Translate)Passports and visas