When will passport processing times get better? He said the government has been hiring more employees, authorizing overtime and opening satellite offices. This is down from higher-than-normal volumes in January through May 2023 that exceeded 500,000 applications a week, the State Department said.Īt a congressional hearing in March, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the 500,000 figure was 30% to 40% more than last year.ĭuring the pandemic, demand plummeted the department laid off contractors and reassigned other personnel, Mr. The State Department says it receives an average of 400,000 applications a week. Why are passport processing times so long? Even for those behind schedule, addressing renewals immediately could make a big difference at departure time. Nearly one-third of American travelers expect to travel internationally this year, according to market-research firm Destination Analysts. Many destinations won’t admit travelers if their passports expire within six months. Travel advisers say that, given current processing times and international rules, travelers should renew passports nine months to one year before their expiration dates. If you plan to travel internationally this year, the State Department recommends renewing your passport now.
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