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Casework Corner - Passports and Visas: Traveling Abroad

Summer is quickly approaching and plans for adventures abroad are probably already in the works. Whether you are making arrangements for a family vacation or a student studying abroad, it is important to be prepared. Most countries require travelers to obtain a passport and in some cases a visa in order to enter and/or depart.

Passports
Apply for a passport as soon as possible. Passport applications can take up to four weeks to process. Please also note that according to the recent Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all persons traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. This includes travel to Mexico, Canada, the Carribean, and Bermuda. Other travel documentation accepted includes a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

The Department of State has also created at Passport Card that will begin production in June and then in full production in July. Applications are currently being accepted, however, the card may not be used to travel by air. The Passport Cards will be a valid document used to expedite entry processing at United States land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Visas
Most countries require visitors who are planning to study or work abroad to obtain visas before entering. Check with the embassy of the foreign country that you are planning to visit for up-to-date visa and other entry requirements as each country can be different from the next. Country Specific Information provided by the Department of State is available for each country around the world. This information includes: location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. 

Safety Tips
The following are some tips prepared by the State Department’s Office of Overseas Services to help keep you prepared and safe:

  • Apply early for your passport and, if necessary, any visas.
  • Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel.
  • Read the Country Specific Information along with Travel Updates and Alerts for up-to-date travel information on any country in the world that you plan to visit.
  • Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to ensure your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency.
    For more information on traveling abroad, please visit http://travel.state.gov/ .

Our office is also available to assist in obtaining information or inquiring on your behalf with the Department of State or National Passport Centers. Some constituents have run into issues regarding obtaining appropriate proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate in order for their passports to be processed. Our office has been successful in working with the National Passport Information Center and other federal agencies to ensure our constituents are able to depart for travel on time.