PassportsPassports are obtained through the Passport Services Division of the State Department. You can apply for a passport from your local passport acceptance agent, usually found at the Post Office, as well as renew or replace a stolen or damaged one.
Traveling Overseas
You've got your passport and you're ready to go on your trip, right? Not quite. You still have to check with the country or countries you'll be visiting to determine whether or not you'll need a visa. A visa grants you permission to enter certain countries and comes in the form of a stamp in your U.S. Passport. You typically have to mail your passport to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you'll be visiting to obtain this, so allow plenty of time to accomplish this.
For information on foreign entry requirements, click here.
Also, check the State Department website for travel warnings. They also issue Consular Information Sheets for every country, which include information on health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
In response to passport processing delays, the U.S. government just announced a change to entry requirements for U.S. citizens who have applied for a passport but have not yet received one. Through September 30, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda can enter the U.S. with a valid, government-issued photo I.D. and proof of passport application. Children under the age of 16 traveling with parents or legal guardians need only show proof of their passport application for entry.
For more information on the new rules click here.
Passports in a hurry
It typically takes 30-40 days to receive a passport. For an additional fee you may expedite this process. This may be completed at your local passport acceptance facility. For locations near you please refer to the U.S. Department of State at the following web address: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.
Temporary Visitors to the U.S.
International travelers come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment, and for certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is detrmined by immigration law and correlates with the purpose of your travel. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications on the USCIS website. The Consular Officer at your embassy or consulate will decide what kind of visa you need when you apply.
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