The US State Department just shared an update on the status of passport applications.
Back in March , the US State Department hurried everybody plan to trip this summer to either apply for or renew their recommendation right off . At the time , passport processing time had just increased , facing the rush in demand right ahead of aforecasted busy summer travelling season .
Now that we ’re good in the middle of it , the US State Department does n’t plainly have any news of relief . In late March , passport processing times were 10 - 13 workweek for regular processing and 7 - 9 week for hasten processing , which cost an special $ 60 . Those processing times stay on the same , and the section is now saying that processing meter likely wo n’t return to pre - pandemic level until the end of the class .
" We are bring intemperately to get back to our pre - pandemic processing times by the terminal of calendar year 2023 , " a State Department spokesperson toldCNN . " We will update our website with the current processing times as we make progress towards this goal . "
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The State Department has reportedly been essay new approach to conform to the upsurge in recommendation demand , which , as Secretary of State Tony Blinken order Congress , is 30 % to 40 % higher than last class . harmonise to a spokesperson , the section is currently focus on hiring , grooming , and retrain staff , which has been shape " X of yard of hour of extra time a month , " CNN report . In the lag , the section is advising anyone who needs a newfangled recommendation to applyat least six monthsbefore you postulate it , agree to NBC News .
If you are presently in the outgrowth of applying for a passport , there are a few thing you could do to make your experience a little less stressful . First of all , the department boost citizens tocheck its websiteregularly to get wind how to employ and turn back the position of their app . Additionally , traveller are promote to enroll in theSmart Traveler Enrollment Programto get authoritative messages and advisory about the destination they are traveling to .
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Whether you need helpsneaking sess onto a planing machine , finding an airport where you cansign up for PreCheck without an designation , or making sure you ’re getting everything you ’re entitled towhen your flight is canceled , we ’ve got you covered . Keep reading forup - to - date travel hacksandall the travel news show you needto aid you design your next self-aggrandising risky venture .
