By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com
March 31, 2007
Getting a passport used to be quick and simple. But not anymore.
Thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which went into effect Jan. 23, all air travelers arriving in the United States must have U.S. passports. The only exceptions are those arriving from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or other territories.
Since only one in four Americans had passports at the start of the year, the imposition of the new rules created a sudden stampede.
The U.S. State Department's Consular Affairs Office says applications are up nearly 50 per cent -- from 12 million in 2006 to a projected 17.7 million this year.
With too many requests and too little staffing, passport processing is proceeding at a snail's pace -- often up to 12 weeks. Anxious travelers can cut the time in half by paying $60 extra for "expedited service," so anyone planning a summer trip might be wise to ante up.
Not surprisingly, the long delays are causing problems in the travel industry.
Some prospective travelers have scrapped trips abroad, according to both the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
Some are weary of the long waiting times, while others are reluctant to pay higher prices to the handful of U.S. territories where passports are not required.
Even passengers arriving from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda now need passports. They can get out of the U.S. but need the document to get back in.
Savvy travelers will apply early -- at least two months in advance of their trip -- and make sure they have all the required application documents. Children need passports too, and requirements have changed recently.
For further information, contact the National Passport Information Center (Tel. 877-487-2778, www.travel.state.gov).
