Have you checked your passport expiration date? Applications for new and renewal of U.S. passports are backlogged for months. Even applicants who have paid an extra fee for priority processing for passport renewals have to wait 7 – 9 weeks. This is compared to the current processing time of 10 – 13 weeks for new passports. According to a recent State Department release,
“We are on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever, far surpassing volumes seen during previous surges in demand in 2007 and 2017. During some weeks this winter, the Department received more than 500,000 applications, the highest number ever for this time of year, exceeding our official projections.”
The expedited passport processing fee is $60 to receive your passport within the next 2 months. You can also request expedited mailing in 1-2 days, versus the standard mailing that takes up to 2 weeks.
Travel experts remind passengers that some countries require a U.S. passport to be valid 3-6 months AFTER their scheduled trip. The passport office does make some last-minute passport appointments available for immediate trips, but they don’t guarantee this. And the number of last-minute points is very limited compared to the demand.
As more Americans travel internationally again, the State Department says they processed a record-breaking 22,000,000 passports, and they expect to break that record in 2023.
Chicago immigration attorney Mario Godoy advises all applicants for new or renewal of passports to apply 6 months before their passport expires:
“Americans should apply for their passport well in advance of any planned international travel to avoid last-minute issues – at least 6 months before they plan to travel.”
An experienced immigration lawyer knows and understands current immigration laws. And we can assist you with achieving your American Dream by helping you spot potential roadblocks in your background that can derail your application. Experienced immigration attorneys can save you money, time and stress. We can make sure your citizenship application has all the required documents and that you complete the process correctly the first time. Plus, we can even accompany you to your immigration interview. If USCIS denies your application or there is a misunderstanding, your lawyer can help clarify and resolve the miscommunication.
The skilled immigration lawyers at Godoy Law Office can answer any questions about immigration and guide you through every step of the citizenship process. Call us today at 630-912-0322.
