|
appleaddict
|
 |
« on: August 11, 2007, 04:08:05 PM » |
|
Hi everyone,
I have just been accepted to my first international conference. Yea! I'm very excited.
However, my passport is expired. Will I be OK to travel by October if I apply for it at the beginning of the week? I am a little worried that I will not have it in time.
Thanks!
AA
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
malcha
Creepy Lit Critter, Undead Language Lover,
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,474
posting live from her FCFU
|
|
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2007, 04:10:40 PM » |
|
I think they have a backlog at the moment because of the (now postponed) new requirement for Canada and Mexico.
You can get a faster processing time for more money. Be safe and do that. The peace of mind will be worth it.
And congrats.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
appleaddict
|
|
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2007, 04:18:01 PM » |
|
Thanks! I will definitely pay more money. I don't care---I don't want it to be the day before and not have my passport. I would die.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
kissa_mau
Frequently Napping
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,212
Purrrvocative Posing
|
|
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2007, 06:57:54 PM » |
|
I recently got my passport renewed and the lady at the counter said 6-10 weeks with non-expedited processing.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Cat! I'm a kitty cat. And I dance, dance, dance and I dance, dance, dance.
|
|
|
dale1
Eventually, if you hang around long enough, they'll make you a
Senior member
Posts: 405
My mother-in-law would point out God's gray hairs.
|
|
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2007, 07:03:32 PM » |
|
I'm planning a trip to India in early spring (or late winter, depending on how you think of it!), and chose the expedite delivery of my documents to and from, and pay for expedited processing. This was the first passport I'd ever applied for. It took about 2 weeks (not even 3, in any case) to do the entire process.
You may need a visa, so be sure to expedite all processes if you can to get everything settled in time.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Dale (original)
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 11,084
This space for rent
|
|
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2007, 07:16:34 PM » |
|
The deferment on the need for a passport for travel to Canada/Mexico/Caribbean ends on Sept 30, I believe and there will probably be another big backlog again in the next few weeks. So definitely expedite but even with expediting you may have a longer wait than might be expected. You might want to consider one of the services that further expedites the passport process.
And as dale1 mentions, find out now whether you will need a visa and include that information with your passport application. From the way the process was working when the backlog first occurred, it seemed like passports were being handled with priority based on time of departure, with earlier travel dates getting passports faster than those who submitted weeks earlier. So if you have a ticket showing date of departure, plus a letter explaining the time needed to get your visa, it might help speed things along. Even back then, most people I know were getting their passports in time, but one person I know received his just hours before his departure. Very stressful!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone.
"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
|
|
|
|
appleaddict
|
|
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2007, 07:44:59 PM » |
|
OK--how do I know whether I need a visa? I haven't flown internationally since 2000.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 11,084
This space for rent
|
|
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2007, 07:49:07 PM » |
|
Check this site, select your country and read Exit/Entry Requirements: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone.
"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
|
|
|
nightowl
Not a
Senior member
Posts: 739
|
|
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2007, 11:55:31 PM » |
|
Most places in Europe will not require you to have a visa before arrival, a tourist visa is stamped in your passport upon arrival with payment of a fee or sometimes there is no fee. But there are some places where you must get the visa in advance, like India and China or you will not be allowed to enter the country.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
- Epictetus
|
|
|
|
appleaddict
|
|
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2007, 07:11:55 AM » |
|
Just an update--I got it taken care of yesterday, finally (I had to get a new driver's license here first). They said there was NO WAY it would ever come on time, and to contact a passport expediting agency. I did, and it will be here September 7.
But I had to pay $245. OUCH. I guess you have to do what you have to do, but that hurt.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
nightowl
Not a
Senior member
Posts: 739
|
|
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2007, 08:15:11 AM » |
|
That's good news appleaddict. Have a great trip and a successful conference presentation.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
- Epictetus
|
|
|
|
monkfish
|
|
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2007, 10:55:04 AM » |
|
I guess its too late now, but that is shocking to me (that it wouldn't come by October)! I just got a new passport for my kid, and it took about 5 days (expedited).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
nightowl
Not a
Senior member
Posts: 739
|
|
« Reply #12 on: August 19, 2007, 12:05:16 PM » |
|
I guess its too late now, but that is shocking to me (that it wouldn't come by October)! I just got a new passport for my kid, and it took about 5 days (expedited).
This is now the second story I have heard about the kids getting passports quickly. I have not heard of the same thing happening for adults. I guess kids don't have a long paper trail for the Homeland Security office to investigate for terrorist connections. ;o) So far, everyone I know waiting for passports except one, has received them in time, but some just-in-time. The government even started refunding people earlier who paid for expedited passports because they were too overwhelmed by expedited passports to process them quickly. Once they catch up from this new requirement, I hope we will return to the 4-6 week turn around time they used to promise for non expedited passports. And appleaddict, just think of the $245 you spent divided by 10 years validity. You are paying $24.50 per year for permission to travel. Now you just have to be sure to travel at least 10 times in that 10 years to get your money's worth. Of course it would have been better if you could have paid the usual $10-$13 per year. Do you know how much some people have to pay, just for the privilege of applying to come to the US? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
- Epictetus
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 11,084
This space for rent
|
|
« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2007, 01:12:42 PM » |
|
So Appleaddict, let us know if you got your passport by Sept. 7 as promised.
Here is an update on passport applications -
U.S. Passport Services Back to Standard Processing Time
The Department of State announced September 7, 2007 that passport service has been restored to the standard six to eight week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service. In the fiscal year 2007, the Department has already issued 3.9 million more passports than in fiscal year 2006. The Department plans to expand passport facilities and continue to hire more passport specialists in order to increase production capacity and meet rising passport demand expected in coming years, as passport requirements are extended to land and sea borders.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone.
"When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."
|
|
|
|
appleaddict
|
|
« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2007, 01:14:00 PM » |
|
I got it before 9/7, and that was with a problem with my birth certificate! I was very impressed. I haven't picked it up yet but it's in. YAY. So Appleaddict, let us know if you got your passport by Sept. 7 as promised.
Here is an update on passport applications -
U.S. Passport Services Back to Standard Processing Time
The Department of State announced September 7, 2007 that passport service has been restored to the standard six to eight week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service. In the fiscal year 2007, the Department has already issued 3.9 million more passports than in fiscal year 2006. The Department plans to expand passport facilities and continue to hire more passport specialists in order to increase production capacity and meet rising passport demand expected in coming years, as passport requirements are extended to land and sea borders.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
