US Passport Wait Times Skyrocket as Travel Demand Rebounds

Americans who want to travel abroad may face a long wait to obtain or renew their passports, as the State Department scrambles to fully restart a system that nearly shut down during the pandemic. The current wait time for both new and renewal routine passport applications can be up to 18 weeks, and that includes processing time and mailing time, according to the State Department.

“With COVID, the bottom basically dropped out of the system,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a congressional committee on June 7. He said the department had to close many of its passport agencies and centers to protect its staff and customers from the virus, and that resulted in a significant backlog of applications.

Blinken said the department has been working hard to resume normal operations and reduce the backlog, by hiring more staff, expanding overtime, and opening more appointments. He said the department has processed more than 7 million passport applications since October 2020, and is now processing about 200,000 applications per week.

However, he also acknowledged that the demand for passports has surged as travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase. He said the department received 1.5 million applications in May 2021 alone, which is more than twice the number of applications received in May 2020.

The State Department advises travelers to apply for or renew their passports as early as possible, and to check the status of their applications online. Travelers who need their passports sooner than the current wait times can request expedited service for an additional $60 fee, which will reduce the wait time to 7-9 weeks. Travelers who have urgent international travel within 14 calendar days can make an appointment at a passport agency or center by calling 1-877-487-2778.

US Passports rocessing times link.

The State Department also offers other options for travelers who need to prove their identity or citizenship for international travel, such as passport cards, enhanced driver’s licenses, or trusted traveler cards. However, these options have limitations and may not be accepted by all countries or airlines.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, travel.state.gov, can.com, usatoday.com