Expedited Passports

If your spring or summer travel plans include travel to the Virgin Islands, you may be wondering if you need a passport. The answer depends primarily on your itinerary.  First, are going to the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands?

The US Virgin Islands consist of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. These islands are US territories.  If you travel directly to and from the US Virgin Islands, you do not need a US passport.

However, if you stop by any other countries in the Caribbean along the way, you may or may not need a passport. Here’s the scoop: Before June 1st, 2009, American citizens traveling to the Caribbean by sea can use either a passport or a driver’s license AND a birth certificate (or naturalization certificate) to prove their identity and citizenship when they re-enter the US. However, air travelers must have a US passport.

So, if you’re on a cruise that stops in both the US Virgin Islands and another Caribbean country, you can use your driver’s license and birth certificate. If you are on a flight that has a layover in another Caribbean country on the way to the US Virgin Islands, you need a passport-even if you never set foot outside of the airport.

After June 1st, 2009, sea travelers to other Caribbean countries will need passports, too.

The British Virgin Islands consist of 16 inhabited islands and more than 20 uninhabited islands. The major islands are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

The United Kingdom owns these islands.  Like other Caribbean countries, they are covered under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). So, the rules are the same as the rules described above: Before June 1st, 2009, air passengers need passports while sea passengers can use driver’s licenses and birth certificates. After June 1st, 2009 everyone needs a passport.

For more details on changing passport regulations in the Caribbean, see “Do I Need a Passport to go to the Caribbean?” (more…)

If you’ve always wanted to skip across the pond and experience the Old World firsthand, now is your chance to get great last-minute deals on airfare. NileGuidance has a post up with links to some awesome plane fares on flights from the US to Europe. For example, if you book by tomorrow,  you can take advantage of American Airlines’ European Getaway Sale, with one-way prices on flights to Europe as low as $147.00.  If  Spain is your destination of choice, Fly.com can take you there for as little as $425 round-trip.

These great deals are for travel through May, which is a plus because spring is usually considered the best time to travel to Europe.  By summer, tourists crowd major European cities, hotel prices skyrocket, and in some countries, weather can get uncomfortably hot and sticky.

Obviously, if you don’t have a passport yet, you’ll need to get one to take advantage of these deals.  Since most of these flights leave in about a month, it’s a good idea to rush your passport to make sure you don’t get left behind on the ground. Even heavily discounted tickets are a waste of money if you miss your flight!

This is especially true this year, as new travel requirements for Canada and Mexico are set to become effective on June 1st. This is expected to cause an increase in the number of passport applications the US Passport Agency has to process, which could increase wait times for passport applicants.

Using a passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com is the easiest way to rush your passport. Expediters deliver your application to the US Passport Agency by hand, so you can avoid processing delays. Depending on when your plane leaves, there are several options for rush passport service available, ranging from same-day processing to less costly options that take just a few days longer.

Choose the option that works for you and rush your passport with us today!

If you are applying for 24 hour passport processing, you don’t have any time to spare. You simply cannot afford to have anything go wrong after you submit your application! The following checklist will help you avoid common mistakes so that your 24 hour passport application is accepted the first time.

Check Your ID

If your driver’s license or state ID card was issued less than 6 months ago, you will need to include 5 additional forms of secondary ID as backup.  Here are some examples of acceptable proof of identification.

Check Your Birth Certificate

Your birth certificate must be certified, with a raised, embossed, engraved or multicolored seal.  If you live in California or Texas, you need a “long form” birth certificate, printed on 8 1/2″ by 11″ paper.

Check Your Check

If you are using a private passport expediting company instead of making an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency, you’ll need to make out your check in advance and send it in with your paperwork. If the check is made out incorrectly, the government won’t accept it.  Make sure you know exactly how much you need to pay, and then check out our guide to filling out checks for the US government.

Make Sure Your Child Support Is  Paid Up

The US Passport Agency cannot issue a passport if you owe more than $2,500 in back child support and you don’t have payment arrangements.  Also, if you have ever been more than $2,500 in arrears, you may be on the “no passport for you” list even if you’ve paid up. Noncustodial parents are not removed from the list automatically, even after they have paid their balance to below $2,500.

To check your child support balance, find your state’s Child Support Enforcement Agency here.

Check Your Documents

When you apply for 24 hour passport processing, you will need to include proof of departure, such as a copy of your travel itinerary or a letter from your company if your trip is for business. If you are renewing your passport and your name has changed, you’ll need legal documentation of the name change.

The easiest way to apply for 24-hour passport processing is to use a private passport expediting company.  When you work with an expediting company like RushMyPassport.com, you’ll get detailed instructions and personalized service to guide you through the application process.

Apply for a 24 hour passport with us today!

For many years, crossing the Canadian/American border was hardly more difficult than crossing from one state to another. In the “good old days,” all you had to do was verbally declare your citizenship at the border and you were good to go. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) put an end to that practice.

Under the WHTI, Passengers on US/Canada flights have been required to carry passports since 2007, but the rules remained more relaxed for land and sea crossings. American citizens crossing by land were only  required to bring photo ID and a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship with them before driving across the border.

On June 1, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will take effect. After that date, Americans will need a US passport, a US Passport Card or another “WHTI-compliant” document to cross the border. This disturbs advocates for an open border between the US and Canada, who believe that it will  affect trade and tourism.

For example, in this article from GlobeandMail.com, New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter predicts that after June 1, “There will be pure chaos. Lines will lengthen, people will be denied entry, tourism and business will suffer. And with the addition of the Olympics it’s going to be even more so.”

During a March 24th symposium sponsored by the Brookings Institution, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had a clear message for open-border advocates like Congresswoman Slaughter: Get over it. The GlobeandMail.com article quotes Secretary Napolitano telling the symposium, “It’s a real border, and we need to address it as a real border.” She also asked citizens of both countries to accept a  “change of culture” at the US Canadian border. (more…)

With many airlines offering discounted fares overseas, now is a great time to take that international trip you’ve been dreaming about. Of course, the main reason airfare is so cheap because many people can’t afford to travel at the moment. Is there a way to make traveling internationally more affordable?

If you aren’t afraid of getting to know new people and you don’t mind sleeping on stranger’s couch, you can travel overseas without having to pay for accommodations. Not having to pay for hotel rooms can trim your traveling budget significantly.  How can you find an open couch in the country you want to visit? Couchsurfing.com offers a service that matches travelers with willing hosts.

Staying in a foreign country for free sounds awesome, but how can you be sure that your host isn’t Charles Manson? As Matthew Kepnes of MinutelyNews explains in this excellent guide to the service, Couchsurfing.com offers various verification procedures so that you can arrange your couchsurfing adventure with confidence.  Plus, hosts and travelers can review each other. That way, both of you have to guard your reputations to keep using the service.

Have you ever tried Couchsurfing.com? What do you think of the idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Of course, if you want to couchsurf your way around the world, you’ll need a US passport.  You should submit your US passport application at least 2 to 3 months in advance of your trip to make sure you have it in time.

Another option, one that will save you both time and stress,  is to apply for your passport using a private passport expediting company. An expediting company is an excellent investment because it gets your application to the US Passport Agency and through the application process with astonishing swiftness. Depending on the options you choose, you can even get your application processed in as little  as 24 hours.  Order your US passport today and you could be on the road next week!

This Saturday, March 28th,  passport offices around the country will celebrate “Passport Day in USA.” During this event, many Passport Acceptance Facilities will be open to accept passport applications, answer questions and provide information about the passport application process. All Department of State Regional Passport Agencies will also be open.

“Passport Day in the USA” is the only day of the year when the general public will be allowed to submit passport applications directly to a Regional Passport Agency without first making an appointment and paying an additional expediting fee.

This event is especially important this year, as the regulations governing travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean are changing effective June 1st. Currently, passengers traveling to these countries by plane must have a US passport, but passengers traveling by land or by sea can use a driver’s license and birth certificate. After June 1st, land and sea passengers will also need passports.

Since the rules are changing, it could take longer than usual to get a passport as the deadline approaches.  The last time the rules changed, passport offices were swamped with applications and wait times shot up dramatically. So, if you think you are going to be traveling this year, it’s a good idea to head down to your local passport office and apply for a passport.

To look up the nearest participating passport office and its hours of operation, visit the Department of State’s website.  However, don’t expect to actually get your passport on Passport Day in the USA. You’ll still have to wait at least 4 weeks!

If you need a passport more quickly, consider using a private passport expediting company to submit your passport application.

A private passport expediter will deliver your passport application directly to the US Passport Agency for processing,  so you won’t get caught in a “traffic jam” of passport applications.  Plus, expediters offer processing times that can be as fast as 24 hours!

Expedite your passport today and see how easy it is to get ready to travel!

US travel regulations have changed a lot over the past few years, making questions like “Do you need a passport to go to Canada?” somewhat complicated to answer.

Right now, whether or not you need a passport to go to Canada depends on how you are traveling.  Our neighbor to the north is included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, aka the WHTI. Currently, American citizens traveling by land or sea to companies covered by the WHTI do not have to have passports. However, you will need to show a government-issued photo ID to prove your identity and a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship to prove that you are an American citizen. You do need a passport to go to Canada if you are traveling by plane.

Just when you thought you had it figured out, the rules are changing again in just a few short months. Effective June 1st, 2009, most land and sea passengers will have to have US passports to re-enter the country as well. There will be a few exceptions for certain people crossing the border by land or by sea: (more…)

Recently, the US Department of State issued a travel warning for American citizens regarding travel to Mexico. Our neighbor to the south has long been a popular vacation spot for Americans, but  some areas of the country have erupted into violence as drug cartels struggle for power over Mexican police forces and each other.

The violence has prompted the Department of State to warn US citizens to use caution while traveling in Mexico. Here’s an excerpt from the travel warning (for the full text, go to the Department of State’s website):

It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim.  Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

So, should you avoid going to Mexico altogether? Not necessarily. As the Art of Backpacking points out, most of the violence is occurring away from the major tourist towns.  However, travelers should be cautious when traveling anywhere in Mexico, as the Department of State has advised.  The lawless northern border towns such as Cuidad Juarez and Tijuana are best avoided altogether until the drug-related violence cools down.

According to the Art of Backpacking post, some tour operators are canceling excursions to areas like Mayan ruins that are off the beaten path and away from main roads, so  check before you go to make sure that you’ll be able to do everything you want to do on your trip.

Flying into Mexico is a great way to avoid the border altogether, but you will need a US passport to get back into the US if you’re traveling by plane.  Also, passport laws are changing on June 1st. After that date, Americans crossing the border by land will also need a US passport. The rule change is already causing delays in some regional passport agencies close to the border.

If you need to get a passport quickly, a private passport expediting company can offer personalized customer service and processing times that can be as low as 24 hours, depending on your needs.

Before traveling to Mexico, plan your trip with safety in mind and make sure you have all the appropriate documents before you go. Apply for a US passport today!

What do you think about the travel warning? Will it affect your plans for visiting Mexico?

Have you ever wanted to a see kangaroo in the wild? How about cuddle a koala?  There’s never been a better time than right now to see these animals in their natural habitat! At the NileGuidance Travel Blog,  you’ll find great deals on flights down under. Australian airline Qantas is offering a “travel stimulus” package: 55 to 60% off of flights to Australia!

Of course, koalas are wild animals. You really shouldn’t touch them-but you can see them up close and get some great pictures! If you’d prefer, New Zealand is also included in the special, so you can see the breathtaking scenery that was featured in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy for yourself. True Lord of the Rings fans can even go on Middle-Earth-themed tours to see Hobbiton, the Misty Mountains and Mount Doom (actually, it’s a volcano called Mt Ruapehu).  You can also see a variety of unique native flora and fauna,  lounge on the beach or just enjoy New Zealand’s unique blend of European, Asian and Polynesian cultures.

However, these travel deals are only available if you book the flights today or tomorrow-the sale ends on March 20th!

You’ll need a valid passport to travel to any of these locations, too.  Unless you have at least 2 months before your trip,  travel experts recommend that you expedite your passport.

If you need your passport quickly, using a private passport passport expediting company is by far the fastest and easiest way to expedite your passport. You’ll get instructions to help you through the application process, and the expediting company will deliver your application by hand and track it as it is processed. Plus, if you use an expediting company to expedite your passport, you can cut your processing time to as little as 24 hours!

Expedite your passport today and see how easy it can be to travel!

Spring is in the air, and Earth Day is almost here.  Did you know that there are actually two separate Earth Day holidays?  The original Earth Day, celebrated by the United Nations,  is set on March 20 to coincide with the Spring Equinox. However, the more popular Earth Day holiday is on April 22nd.

Whenever you choose to celebrate it, Earth Day is about becoming more environmentally aware in every aspect of daily life, including travel. How can you make your next vacation a little bit easier on the environment?

Terracurve, a sustainable travel blog, has a post up that lists the finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow sustainable travel award. This would be a great place to start, since you can’t go wrong working with any of these 12 companies to plan your next vacation.  The finalists come from around the world, offering sustainable travel everywhere from Greece to Ecuador to Nepal.

Of course, to travel to any of these destinations, you’ll need a new passport if you don’t have one already.  To get a new passport, you’ll need to go through the following steps:

• Appear in person at a passport acceptance office and fill out form DS-11, an application for a new passport.
• Present proof of identification and proof of citizenship.
• Submit 2 passport photos.
• Pay the appropriate fees.
• Wait at least 6 to 8 weeks for your new passport to arrive.

You can also submit your application for a passport through a private passport expediting company. If you’re planning to leave the country within the next month or so, this is definitely the easiest way to ensure you have your passport in time. With an expediting company, you’ll get professional instructions to help you with the application process. Plus, you’ll get your passport much more quickly.

RushMyPassport.com has a variety of different options to suit your budget and time constraints.  Apply for your new passport with us today!