Tagged: passports

If You Need a US Passport in the Next Year, You'd Better Apply Now

The last time the United States faced major disruptions in the federal government, wait times for passports soared. Starting in March 2020, pandemic-related understaffing in the U.S.…

What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for Air Travel, National Parks, and Passports

When the U.S. Congress can't agree on a budget before federal funding expires, the government goes into shutdown mode, ceasing all operations deemed nonessential and furloughing…

Which Countries Do Not Require 6 Months of Passport Validity? 12 Options for Renewal Procrastinators

One of the annoying things about passports is that the expiration date you'll find printed inside isn't necessarily the date up to which you can use the passport for international…

How to Apply for a U.S. Passport or Visa

Last updated April 6, 2022  Jump to: First-Time ApplicationsJump to: RenewalsJump to: Passport CardsJump to: FeesJump to: Passport AgenciesJump to: Passport & Visa Expeditors All…

LOOK: Belgium's New Passports Feature the Smurfs and Tintin

Belgium's new passport design, which debuted earlier this month, pays tribute to the country's rich history of comic strips.  The 34-page travel document features illustrations of…

Passport Processing Is Taking Forever. Here's How to Hurry Things Along.

UPDATE, July 23, 2021: The U.S. State Department has temporarily suspended its online system for booking last-minute appointments for passport centers in order to ensure that the very…

Prisoners in Their Own Country: Three Ways America's Government Is Betraying the Freedom to Travel

July 30, 2020 When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to assert their government has dissolved its responsibility to the service of their rights, a…

Our Travel Podcasts: Travel Bans and Flight Plans

Each week, Frommer's brings you two fresh podcasts stuffed with travel tips, news, and inspiration. Recordings are made from our weekly call-in show on WABC-770AM in New York and our…

McEmbassy? Every Austrian McDonald’s Now Offering Travel Help for Americans

Thanks to a unique and, for those concerned about commerce meddling in government, somewhat unsettling partnership between McDonald's Austria and the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, all 194 of…

Will Americans Soon Need a Visa for Europe? What We Know So Far

The European Union has considered requiring a visa for tourists from the United States for some time. After all, the U.S. has required special authorization from visitors from European…

Arthur Frommer: Make Sure To Check Your Passport Dates Before Travel

You are about to leave on an international trip, and you have carefully checked the contents of your suitcase, wallet or purse to make sure that everything—especially your passport—is…

Tour Operator to Pay Passport Fees for Travelers Age 18–35

More than half of Americans age 18–35 don't have passports, according to Contiki, a tour operator specializing in that very demographic.For a limited time, Contiki is offering some…

To Visit This Island Paradise You Have to Pledge to Protect the Environment

In order to enter the island nation of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean, visitors must now sign a "passport pledge" to protect the environment.The mandatory vow was enacted to…

Now Is the Best Time to Apply for or Renew a U.S. Passport, Says State Department

If you need to apply for or renew a U.S. passport, the best time to do so is right now, according to the U.S. State Department.Processing times are shortest between September and…

Eight Observations About Travel That May Be of Use for Your Next Vacation

JULY 21, 2017Here are eight random thoughts about travel that may have a bearing on your next trip: A Worldwide Airbnb: Smart travelers should realize that the services of Airbnb are…

TSA May Soon Stop Accepting Driver’s Licenses from These Nine States

Some airline passengers may be in for a rude awakening next January if they live in one of the nine states where driver’s licenses do not comply with the REAL ID Act, a federal…

Why You Should Renew Your Passport ASAP

Getting a new or renewed passport could take longer than normal this year. U.S. government officials are anticipating a higher volume of renewals in 2017 because a whole bunch of…

Bulletproof Wall Around the Eiffel Tower, U.S. Passport Time Crunch, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning, everybody! Today's update is all about entry requirements and restrictions. * BULLETPROOF WALL SOON TO SURROUND BASE OF EIFFEL TOWER (Condé Nast Traveler)A wall is being…

No More Glasses in Passport Photos, Cruising with Pets, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's museums, cruise ships, and designated passport-acceptance facilities.  * NO MORE GLASSES IN PASSPORT PHOTOS (Washington…

No More Glasses in Passport Photos

As of yesterday, November 1, the State Department will no longer accept passport photos of applicants wearing glasses. You'll have to take them off for your pic, even if you wear…

The Strange Case of the Expired Passport....

There was once a time when Americans traveling to and from Canada could do so with little advance preparation other than a hotel reservation. Almost any form of identification would…

Expiring Passports Should Be Renewed Early

On the Frommer's Travel Show, our weekly radio broadcast, we recently interviewed Brenda Sprague, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Passport Services for the U.S. State Department,…

River Cruises, An Improved Chicago, Memorials to Terrorism, Airbnb Besieged, and Passport Renewals: The Stuff and Substance of Travel

      The commercials for Viking River Cruises, which appear on Downton Abbey and Homeland, are certainly the most beautiful and successful of all such advertising. But their…

Was I Right or Wrong to Recommend That You Leave Your Passport in the Hotel Safe While Traveling Abroad?

       No recent bit of travel advice has generated more controversy than my recent suggestion to leave your passport in the hotel safe when you leave to go sightseeing on a…

New Kiosks Cut Border Control Waits By a Third, But Your Airport Must Ask for Them

In June, Chicago's O'Hare installed 32 kiosks that scan documents for incoming passengers. Right away, despite the fact summer travel was at its peak, wait times were chopped by…