There has been a huge uptick in international travel, as Americans have been eager to return to the skies and take those long-awaited international trips that were delayed for several years due to the pandemic.
But passport processing delays continue to increase, as the backlog of requests escalates. That has left many would-be travelers frantic as they try to work past passport processing delays and expedite passport approval, secure alternative ways to apply or renew a passport, or even consider postponing their trip.
My Facebook feeds and group boards have been inundated this year with friends and neighbors who are urgently looking for a quick way to get or renew their passport, often with disheartening responses.
That’s often because people remember when getting a passport (new or renewal) used to be quick and easy and didn’t consider passport processing delays. It used to be simple: apply, pay, and get it back in about two-three weeks. But that timeframe is no longer a reality, and reasons are due to both understaffing as well as the sheer volume of applications.
According to the U.S. Department of State, 2023 is proving to be a year of “unprecedented demand” and on track to set the record for the highest number of passport applications ever. For comparison sake, the previous record was set in 2022 with 22 million passports issued.
Currently, the department is receiving around 400,000 passport applications each week! With those numbers, it’s no surprise there are passport processing delays.
In addition to knowing exactly when your passport is set to expire and planning accordingly, it’s important to know that some countries require your passport to be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip, and airlines could deny boarding.
I’ll talk more about that in a minute, as that is something I was unaware of until this year as well.
There are three important areas of information about travel to be discussed in this blog: 1. How long a passport is good for; 2. passport application process and passport processing delays currently affecting travel; and, 3. the six-month rule with travel on valid passports.
The Lifespan of a Passport
If applicants are age 16 or older, passports are good for 10 years. But for children under the age of 16, it is only good for 5 years. It’s an important distinction that many families may not realize—until it is too late.
As Texas residents as well as being parents of three children, we have enjoyed quick trips to Mexico to partake in their glorious beaches and all-inclusive resorts. As a result, getting passports for us and our kids is something we made a priority once Mexico began requiring them for entrance by air in 2009.
For years, it was a challenge juggling adult expirations vs. child expiration dates, especially since our oldest child was about 9 years older than our youngest. But, luckily, I’m an organized person and tracked expiration dates.
I was always told that you should never let your passport expire, because the process is more streamlined and straightforward if it is still valid. While I’m sure there are exceptions to this practice, it is considered best advice and one that I’m sticking with.
Passport Application Process and Passport Processing Delays
According to the passport website, processing times for a routine application or renewal are 10-13 weeks. And that’s not counting all the potential issues for passport processing delays.
For example, many individuals did not know that mailing times are not included in processing times. The total time includes both processing and mailing times, and could take up to two weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, and up to the same time to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed.
That up to another four weeks to add to the time.
There are some possible workarounds with passport processing delays, but it will cost you. Expedited times are available for extra money, but still take 7-9 weeks.
In addition, there are two additional levels above expedited, including urgent travel (non-emergency) for international trips, and emergency travel considered life-or-death.
With the desire for travel not expected to dissipate, most travel advisors recommend starting the process for renewal of a passport about a year before expiration to minimize the risk of passport processing delays.
Even if you don’t have an international trip planned, if you think you might ever want to travel internationally for up to 10 years in the future, avoid the possibility of passport processing delays and go ahead and apply for a passport now so you have it in hand.
The only consideration to make when trying to renew up to a year in advance is making sure you won’t need it for any upcoming trips during that time period.
For frequent international flyers, it could be a bit more of a challenge. But for occasional travelers, the window is a bit easier to plan and manage.
If you have a passport currently and are eligible to renew it by mail, that is considered the best way to do so at present.
The caveats to renewing a passport by mail is that it was never lost or reported stolen, was issued within the past 15 years and in your current legal name, and if it is not damaged.
In addition, the State Department is trying out a new process to help some travelers to help avoid passport processing delays.
Passport acceptance facilities such as post offices, libraries, and local government offices are hosting Special Passport Acceptance Fairs across the country.
These in-person fairs are mostly focused on first-time customers and children and not for passport renewals.
New dates and locations are added weekly, so check back often if you qualify and would like to pursue getting a first-time passport at one of these events.
Countries Who Won’t Let You Enter If Passport Expires Within Six Month
It is true that some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip, and some airlines may not even let you board your plane if you don’t meet these requirements.
How this applies may differ by country. Some base the rule on the date you arrive in their country. Others, however, base it on the date you are scheduled to leave the country.
Depending on the length of your trip, the time period for the 6-month passport expiration rule may differ significantly based on where you are headed.
The six-month rule isn’t an international standard, by any means, either. Some countries have variations to the rule in which they deny entrance to individuals whose passports expire within three months.
Some say one month. Some don’t have this rule at all as long as the passport is valid.
Why do countries do this? It’s because they don’t want to risk travelers to their country overstaying their passport validity.
Countries with the six-month passport expiration rule are mostly in Asia, South America, and the Caribbean while Americans traveling to Europe can be affected by the Schengen Agreement.
Because the rules are confusing and may differ or change, The State Department recommends Americans to have at least six months before their passports expire before traveling internationally in general to avoid any potential travel challenges or passport processing delays.
To be safe, make sure you read up on travel requirements and information for any country you will be visiting. The State Department maintains travel requirements and information for each country on its website as a reference.
The Takeaway for Passport Processing Delays and Woes?
Travel advisors agree that international travelers must plan ahead and avoid procrastination. And that goes for numerous aspects of their trip. From booking flights, hotel rooms, in-country transportation, tours, and even popular restaurants, the key is to do the research and make plans early.
If something changes, you can often cancel or rebook something. But you can’t book something if no space is available at all.
And with international travel on the mind for so many of us, it’s not to early to begin planning that trip of your dreams and avoid highly stressful and potentially trip-ending passport processing delays.
After all, you’ve most likely waited a while to make this trip come true.
Make sure you make it the trip of your dreams and minimize the chances for things to go awry by checking your passport and avoid passport processing delays.
Other Travel Tips For Once You Get There
* What You Should Know For Senior Travel Trips With Extensive Walking
* Using Senior Rewards Programs
Questions or Comments?
