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Posted by Evelyn Kanter Dec 21, 2006 |
Beginning Jan. 23, everyone flying into the USA from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) must show a passport -- including Americans returning home. Even infants need their own passports.
It takes about six weeks to get a new passport, whether that is your first one or a renewal. Which means that if you don't start the process by the end of 2006, you won't be able to leave or return to the USA until mid-February.
The Travel Industry Association, which promotes travel, is making the process easier with the launch of www.getapassportnow.com. for "one-stop shopping" for passport applicants. There are links to appropriate agencies for U.S., Canadian and Mexican citizens, although they still will need to apply for new passports in person.
U.S. passport demand is up about 60%; about 15 million are expected to be issued by year's end. The passport rules will be extended to travellers arriving by ship, ferry and car some time in 2008.
Passports are valid for ten years. I have kept all my passports, dating back to the first overseas trip I took after college. It is interesting to see where I have been -- and even more interesting to see the changes in my hairdo.