U.S. Passport Wait Times Just Got Shorter: New Processing Times Announced
Good news for U.S. travelers! Now, they have cut passport processing time in half which means Americans will have a far easier and faster path to getting a passport.
Faster processing of Passports
Starting Thursday, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has chopped two weeks off passport processing times. This means that the wait is now half of what it was with both online and paper applications having a timeline of 4 to 6 weeks. Nevertheless, an expedited application will be processed in just 2-3 weeks, enabling the faster turnaround for those on a tight schedule.
Online Passport Renewal is being started full fledged
The State Department also did away with in-person renewals of passports last month. If finalized, this change is likely to streamline the renewal process for many U.S. persons.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken commended the move, saying in a statement: The online passport renewal system is an important step toward allowing Americans to more quickly and easily access passport services.
In order to apply for the renewal online, you have to —
Be at least 25 years old
Current or 10 year-old passport
Keep your passport book with you
Apply from within the US or a US territory.
Steps to Address Passport Delays
The shorter wait times are part of larger efforts to tackle passport backlogs that have plagued many travelers in recent years. Democratic lawmakers last year introduced the PASSPORT Act, a measure that would reduce application backlogs and improve communication with passport holders. The legislation outlines push alert notifications a year ahead of a passport’s expiration, prompting flyers with their passport requirement when they book an international trip.
On March 19, the printing of regular overseas english language passport applications was paused worldwide due to COVID-19.
The processing of passports has been heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing widespread delays and long waiting times. The State Department only announced last December that it was returning to normal passport processing levels prior to the pandemic.
Conclusion
Wait times have shrunk overall in recent months, and U.S. citizens now have the ability to renew their passport entirely online. If you will be going on an internationally holiday or are required to get a passport for work travel, this most recent simplified method could very well let you acquire your passport a lot faster.