Passports

While we can't get you a Passport, we can provide you with information that can help you along the way. Below are links and tips for applying for your passport (or VISA).

Apply or Renew your passport visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Do you need a VISA? (A VISA is not required for all international travel, so make sure)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

Passport Application Tips

Apply Now - the longer you wait, the longer it will take to get it back.

Apply for the Book (or Book and Card). You can get extra pages in your Passport for no additional fee by selecting the non-standard large book.

The process can get complicated; follow the instructions and gather all the required documentation. You may need to apply in person, usually at a local post office (it is best to make an appointment). You can renew online. Make sure you meet the requirements.

We recommend paying the extra fee for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping of your application/documents and the additional fee for 1-2 day delivery of your Passport.

If your Passport has yet to arrive and you are four weeks or less from your travel date, contact your congressman's office. Their website may have details to help expedite your Passport application.

There are options for emergency approval for the same day, but this requires an in-person visit to a Passport agency and center. There is no fee for making an appointment; you should contact your congressman's office for assistance.

You may find services, for a hefty fee, that will assist with Passports. We recommend contacting your congressman's office first if you need a Passport quickly.

Traveling with a Passport

The name and date of birth on your passport should match your travel documents (airline tickets etc). If it doesn't, the tickets could be invalid or require a change fee.

Please make sure your passport is current and valid for at least six months while you travel and has your signature.

Carry copies of your Passport ID page and foreign visa (if needed) with you. Email a copy to yourself.

Never give your Passport to anyone for safekeeping. Report your passport immediately to the nearest embassy or consulate if it is lost or stolen.

Learn about travel regulations, local laws, and customs for your destination at travel.state.gov.

Make sure your health insurance covers you while overseas, and consider supplemental travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Some credit cards have limited travel insurance.

Customs and Immigration

Each time you enter a country, you will go through customs and immigration. Sometimes, it is very quick and easy; other times, there might be a bit of a wait.

Immigration is usually the first section you visit, and they decide whether or not you're allowed to enter the country.
Customs is the section that keeps you from bringing illegal things into a country.

Immigration = people
Customs = things

Immigration

During your wait in immigration, get your passport ready, and don't be on your phone or take photos. The officials here are serious, no joking. If you have a small group/family, you can go together to one official if traveling and staying together. Answer their questions without elaborating. For example, they may ask:

Why are you visiting (business or vacation)?
Where are you staying while visiting?
How long will you be here?
What items have you brought in your luggage (fruit, seeds, wood, etc)?

You may be directed to a computer screen to answer questions. When you are approved, you may get a passport stamp. Some locations have discontinued passport stamps.

Note: There is a Mobile Passport Control (MPC) App for your phone that might shorten the wait when entering certain cities in the USA.

Customs

A declaration form may be required, depending on the country. You will need to collect your checked bags to pass through Customs. You might see a sign that says "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare." If you have a question, it's okay to ask.

Customs agents may or may not randomly search your bag. Their job is to ensure that nothing illegal or unsafe enters their country, so it's not you. They could be looking for fruit, nuts, meat, wooden items, tobacco products, etc. Each country is different, and some countries don't have a visible designated customs section.

When you clear customs, if you are not at your final destination, you will drop your checked bag off (at the airport) and continue your travel. If you have arrived at your destination, congratulations—you made it. Enjoy your vacation.

TSA

The TSA oversees USA's security measures for aviation and all other modes of transportation. Since the rules for travel are always changing, its best to visit the TSA website and view their checklist.

TSA PreCheck® (Fee and Registration) is a government program that usually offers a shorter and smoother security screening process in the US with no need to remove laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets. You will receive your Known Traveler Number, which will appear on your boarding pass with TSA PreCheck; make sure to add it to your airline reservation.

Global Entry is expedited immigration into the USA (Fee and Registration). This U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. This service requires fingerprinting, a background check, and a fee.

Clear (fee service to expedite through security) is owned by a private company. Clear is more expensive than TSA PreCheck.

Some credit cards will reimburse you for these fees.

The information on this website and the resources available through it are for educational and informational purposes only.

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