You can’t travel internationally without a passport, but obtaining one is not the simplest process. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced iBestTravel team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. You’ll get all the latest news first, but we will publish many forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
The State Department is facing a deepening backlog in processing passports. It’s now taking 10 to 13 weeks for passport applications to be completed, not including mailing time, says the agency. That’s up from pre-pandemic timelines of six to eight weeks. The delays are being blamed on a surge in international travel. The State Department is hiring more agents and approving tens of thousands of hours of overtime to process an expected 25 million passports this year, versus 22 million in 2022.
Ideas to Ease Passport Processing Delays
- A 12-week requirement for processing time
- A tracking system for applicants to monitor their application status
- Expanding in-person appointments at regional passport offices
- Prodding airlines and travel booking companies to provide passport requirement info during booking
Note that some countries don’t accept passports that expire in six months or less. Travelers can pay $60 for an expedited passport and an extra $19.53 for one to two day delivery service, but wait times are still long.
This forecast first appeared in iBestTravel, which has been providing insights on business and economic trends since 1923. The publication helps you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money.
