PASSPORT / VISA ASSISTANCE
Traveling abroad requires that all travelers have valid Passports. If you currently have a valid passport, kindly check that your passport expiration date is no less than six(6) months from date of travel. If the expiration date is less than six(6) months from date of travel, you must have your passport renewed.
Certain countries require a Visa to enter the country. Please find below a list of countries that require a Visa.
If you are planning to travel immediately, Passport or Visa assitance may be required. We have partnered with a Passport/Visa Service that will expedite the processing time. Kindly ask your Case Manager for more information.
New Application for a U.S. Passport
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to
one of over 8,000 passport acceptance facilities(link to http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/)
located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself,
proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification
such as a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies (Link to http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html), and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.
For more information on getting a new passport, please visit How to get a passport page (Link to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html.)
Renewal of a U.S. Passport
You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to
submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the
past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still
have the same name, or can legally document your name change.
You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from this site.
If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
For more information on how to renew a passport, please visit How to renew a passport page ( link to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html).
Visa Information
Visa to Brazil - Brazil Tourist Visa issued foreigners
who enter Brazil temporarily for:
Tourism, sightseeing, visit family/friend; Participation in athletic
or artistic events or competition (no monetary prize or paid admission
is involved); Participation in a scientific/academic seminar or conference
sponsored by a research or academic institution (no monetary prize
or paid admission is involved). Click
here to open a separate window with Brazilian Consulate locations and
contact information for US and Canada.
Visa to Belgium - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Belgium for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Columbia - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Colombia for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Argentina - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Argentina for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Costa Rica - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Mexico - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Mexico for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Turkey - No Visa is required for entry into Turkey
Visa to India - India Tourist Visa: Issued to travelers who enter India temporarily for tourism, sightseeing, visit family/friend or other private purposes. India tourist visa valid for 6 months, 1 year, 5 years or 10 years with multiple entries. 10 years india tourist visa is available only to US citizens. Click here to open a separate window with Indian Consulate locations and contact information for US and Canada.
Visa to Thailand - No Visa is required to enter Thailand
Visa to Philippines - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Philippines for tourism, and may stay up to 21 days.
Visa to Singapore - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Singapore for tourism, and may stay up to 30 days.
Visa to Malaysia - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Malaysia for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Visa to Poland - U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Poland for tourism, and may stay up to 90 days.
Important Highlights from the US Department
of State
Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement:
U.S. Citizens With Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel
Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries.
Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still
present those documents.
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.
As early as January 2008, the Departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
Released on June 8, 2007 Passport Processing Times Have Increased Due to High Volume. For more information see Passport Application Processing Times (Link to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html) .
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.
A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.