Passport and Visas

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PASSPORT and VISA INFORMATION

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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency.

This page will give you the information you will need to apply for a passport and a visa. Just click on the title below to go to that subject area of this page!

General Passport Information
Interesting Links for Passport Information

PASSPORTS REQUIRED OF ALL AMERICANS
TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES - CLICK FOR INFORMATION!

General Information on Visas
Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Offices

Applying For A Passport
Applying For A Passport In A Hurry!

Passport Links
Other Travel Links

What will I need to get a passport and what will go on my passport?
Books and Other Resources

At Travel Smith you�ll find packing lists for your trip including lists for different types of trips (walking tours, for instance, or cruises) as well as lists geared to specialized regions (the tropics, say, or northern Europe)

Planning a trip abroad and need a passport? We can help! Official Travel Documents offers a variety of U.S. passport services designed to quickly and easily guide you through the order process. Using our expediting services, your U.S. passport is just a few clicks away!

When using Official Travel Documents to expedite your U.S. passport request, we not only save you time, we also professionally review your passport application for accuracy and completeness. We then personally hand-deliver your passport application to and from the Passport Office and ship it to you via traceable express service, helping ensure your U.S. passport is received in time for your trip!

Along with Passports Official Travel Documents can also get your Visas and, if you cannot find your original birth certificate, they can even get you a Birth Certificate.

To learn more about the benefits of using Official Travel Documents for your passport request, please CLICK HERE

The Complete Guide to Offshore Residency, Dual Citizenship and Second Passports
ABC's of Travel

I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

Shop Amazon for Travel Books and Maps!

Passports

United States citizens need valid passports to enter any European country and toe re-enter the United States. Be sure that your passport is current and will not expire while you are out of the country. Returning to the U.S. with an expired passport may result in a fine. And, some countries will not allow entrance if the holder�s passport will expire in less than six months. Keep it current!

Whenever you enter a country you want to be sure to carry proof of financial independence, such as a return-flight airline ticket, enough money to cover your living expenses, and sometimes, a visit to the next country on your itinerary. And, always dress neatly when you are entering any foreign country.

If your passport becomes lost or stolen it may take weeks to process a replacement, and your new passport may be valid only for a limited time. In addition, any visas stamped in your old passport will be lost. If this happens, immediately notify the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate of the United States. To expedite a replacement, you will need to know all information previously recorded and show identification and proof of citizenship. Some consulates can issue new passports with two days if you give them the correct information. And, if this is not possible, ask them for immediate temporary traveling papers will permit you to re-enter the United States.

Suggested things to do before you leave the United States!
Hopefully, nothing will happen to your passport while you are traveling. However, here are a few suggestions that can help you if you do need a new passport. First, photocopy the page of your passport that contains your photograph and identifying information, especially our passport number. Second, secure an official copy of your birth certificate. You can normally request a duplicated birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics in your county or state. And third, have two additional passport-sized photographs made. Then, carry these with you when your travel overseas in a safe place apart from your passport, such as in your money belt. Do not leave them in your luggage in your room at the hotel. Also, if you have an expired passport, keep it with the other three items mentioned above. You might also want to keep a copy of the photocopy of your passport and a copy of your birth certificate at home with someone who can provide them for you if you should need them. Replacing a passport will be much easier if you have this information.

PASSPORTS REQUIRED OF ALL AMERICANS TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES
Did you know that by 2007, all traveling Americans returning to the United States will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport? It's true. And the new rules will be phased-in as early as January 2007.

Going forward, a Passport will be required for U.S. Citizens who travel by air and sea to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America, Canada and Mexico. Subsequently, Passports or other accepted travel documents will also be required for U.S. land border crossings to and from Canada or Mexico. Without a Passport, you will not be able to travel outside of the U.S. - including cruise travel. In addition, after the implementation date, cruise vacationers who arrive at the Port to embark on a cruise without a valid Passport, will not be permitted to board the ship.

For more information about applying for a Passport, U.S. Citizens may visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign Nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain details regarding current Passports requirements and application procedures.

Before you begin, here are a few sites you may find helpful and interesting:
AOLs Passport Information Page
Traveler's Resource Center from AOL
US Customs Information
Surviving Customs by AOL

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Applying for a Passport
United States citizens may apply for a passport, valid for 10 years (or 5 years if under 18) at any federal or state courthouse or post office authorized to accept passport applications, or at a U.S. Passport Agency. Passport applications are available from authorized post offices, clerks of court, or passport agencies. You can request an application by mail � Form DSP-11 for a new passport and Form DSP-82 for a renewal � from Passport Services, Office of Correspondence, Department of State, 1111 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20511-1705, or just click on this link. (U.S. Passport Information) To hear recorded passport information, to report a lost or stolen passport, or to amend a passport, call 202/647-0518.

What follows is a hand-out I give to anyone who is going to travel with me. Perhaps it will be of interest and benefit to you also.
If you need a passport in a hurry, you can use the link at the right, or click on Passport Agencies For People In A Hurry!

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PASSPORT INFORMATION
What you will need when filling out the application
Here is some information you may need about passports. A passport will be needed anytime you leave the country. I even recommend taking a passport with you whenever you travel in Canada or Mexico. Even though you don't specifically need it, it is good for identification purposes. For travel to some foreign destinations you will need a visa. Contact me if you want a visa list and I will send one to you.

You can get a passport application at some city/county offices and some post offices. If you cannot find an application in your area, contact the State Department's Office of Passport Services information line at 202/647-0518. You should also contact them for current information as to fees, documentation requirements, visa information, or other general information. Before you return your application, be sure you have completely filled out the application and have (1) PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP, (2) PROOF OF IDENTITY, (3) TWO PHOTOGRAPHS, and (4) FEES.

Proof of Citizenship � For proof of citizenship you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, a Report of Birth Abroad, or a Consular Report of Birth or Certification of Birth if you claim citizenship through birth abroad to U.S. citizen parents.

NOTE: I recommend you make a copy of your birth certificate and keep it with you when you travel. It can come in quite handy if you need to replace a lost passport. Be sure to keep it somewhere separate from your passport.

You must establish you identity to the satisfaction of the agent. To do this you should be prepared to show the agent items that show both your name, signature, and your physical description or photograph. Examples would be a driver's license (not a temporary or learner's license), or a government identification card. If you cannot prove your identity, and if you are not personally known to the acceptance agent, you must appear with an identifying witness who is a U.S. citizen. Your witness must prove his or her identity and complete and sign an Affidavit of Identifying Witness form and you must still submit some identification of your own.

You will have to have two identical photographs of you alone that are sufficiently recent to be a good likeness. Photographs must be a clear, front view, full face, taken in normal street clothing. They also must be black and white. The best place to get them in Douglasville (where I live), and to make sure they comply with all of the rules and regulations, is at Garrison's Photography, 8667 Hospital Drive, 949-2600. I'm sure you can find a good place in your town by looking in the Yellow Pages.

NOTE: I recommend you have two additional photos made and keep them with the copy of your birth certificate. Again, this will expedite your having to replace your passport if it is lost.

If you are 18 years or older you will have to submit $65 along with your application and your passport will be valid for 10 years. If you are under 18 years of age, the application fee is $40 and the passport will be valid for 5 years. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you are nearing your 18 birthday, and you would like to have your passport valid for 10 years instead of 5, you may want to wait until just after your birthday to get your passport. However, don't wait too long. There will be no refunds for those who cancel because they did not get their passport in time!

When filling out the application form, be sure to write (either type or print in ink) in the white areas only.

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VISA INFORMATION

Most European countries don�t require a visa for American or Canadian citizens. Most European union countries require only an identity card for citizens of other EU members.

But the big question always is, "When will I need a Visa?"
Visas are official permits that allow you to enter another country. And, although not as common as they used to be, there are some countries where you will need a Visa in addition to your Passport. And, unfortunately, you cannot always depend upon your travel agent or the airline to let you know in advance that you will need a visa. And, without it, you'll be turned away from your flight!

So, how do I find out?
Check the State Department Web Site for a list of countries that require a visa. Among the countries that will require one are Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam. Although you will need a visa fro China, you will not need one when traveling to Hong Kong. And, if you will be doing a cruise in the Greek Isles with a stop for a quick excursion in Turkey (say to Ephesus) you will probably not need a visa. However, be sure to check with the cruise line and your travel agent.

Well, how do I get a visa?
I will admit that sometimes getting a visa on your own can be difficult. First, you have to locate the consulate that represents your area, and that may be quite a ways away from where you live. And then, consulates normally have limited hours and may take only cash or certified checks. However, for a fee (Isn't America great!) you can find a service to do it for you. Passport and Visa Express (1.803.344.2810) charges between $50 & $100 to do the paperwork (and the leg work) for you. This does not, however, cover the charges for the visa itself. Actual visa fees vary widely -- and, some are even free. The process takes about two weeks.

But I just found out I will need a visa and I leave in less than a week. What will I do?
Just to be on the safe side, find an agency that can do it in about 24 hours (Plan somewhere between $200 - $300 to have it done for you in this manner.). Your travel agent can help you find a good agency to take care of it for you when you are really in a hurry.

Where can I find additional information?
The U.S. Department of State�s Bureau of Consular affairs publishes a booklet called Foreign Entry Requirements. You may request a copy by sending your name, address, and 50 cents (coin or check) to the Consumer Information Center, Dept. 371B, Pueblo, CO 81009. For current information on visas you can call 202/663-1225 (Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), or contact them on the Web. (Visa Information)

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