US Passport Processing Gets a Boost: Reduced Waiting Times

US Passport processing times have been reduced for the second time since early October, according to the US State Department.

The passport processing times are now down to 7 to 10 weeks. That’s down from eight to 11 weeks in early October.

Expedited service will take between three and five weeks, dropping from five to seven weeks previously.

“As more Americans are travelling internationally again, we are directing resources to meet the unprecedented demand seen so far in 2023,”
US State Department

Those estimates do not include mailing times. That may take up to two weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or centre, and another two weeks to receive a printed passport.

“We are aggressively recruiting and hiring across our passport agencies and centres,” the update said. “Our passport team members nationwide contribute tens of thousands of hours of overtime a month to issue the millions of passports sought by travelling Americans.” The State Department also opened a satellite office to assist with processing.

The changes come just over a month after wait times last dropped. Over 24 million passport cards and books were issued between October 2022 and September 2023, marking a record.

Earlier this year, a passport backlog with processing times of 10 to 13 weeks and expedited processing times of 7 to 9 weeks captured the attention of American travellers.

How To Get Your Passport Faster

Travellers should review current processing times before making any definite or nonrefundable travel plans.

For travellers seeking a faster passport turnaround, here are the essential steps:

Check Processing Times: Prior to making any travel plans, it's wise to review the current processing times, which now stand at 7 to 10 weeks for regular applications.

Consider Expedited Service: For those in a hurry, expedited passport processing is available for an extra fee of $60, delivering your passport within three to five weeks.

Passport Validity: It's crucial to remember that most countries require a minimum of six months of passport validity. If your passport is set to expire within the next year, renew it ahead of time.

Have you renewed your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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