Expedited Passports

Jamaica is a popular destination for American tourists. The blue skies, white sandy beaches, excellent coffee and laid-back reputation make it an excellent place to go if you need to decompress. However, if you are planning a trip to Jamaica, there are some new passport requirements you need to be aware of.

On June 01, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect. Here’s what that means to you:

• If you are flying to Jamaica, you must have a valid passport book to travel.
• If you are traveling by boat, you need either a US passport book, a US passport card, a NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card, or an enhanced driver’s license.

To make things even more complicated, there are a few exceptions to the above requirements:

• Children under the age of 16 can use their birth certificates instead of a passport if they are traveling by sea. If they are traveling by plane, they still need a passport book.
• Children under the age of 19 can also use a birth certificate if they are traveling by sea with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team. The group must be accompanied by an adult chaperon. Again, if the group is traveling by plane, everyone needs a passport book.
  
• US citizens on a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, can bring a copy of their birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

If you are traveling to Jamaica, don’t forget to make sure that you have your passport and that it hasn’t expired.  If you need to get a passport in a hurry, a passport expediting service like RushMyPassport can offer a speedy alternative.

When you apply through RushMyPassport.com, we’ll help you fill out the application and then personally deliver your application to the Department of State. This puts your application at the top of the stack, for processing times as quick as 24 hours.

Apply for your passport with us today!

Ahh, Jamaica…home to beautiful white-sand beaches, sublime scenery, friendly people and excellent coffee! If you’d like to sneak in the beach getaway to end all beach getaways before the summer’s gone for good, get a passport, quick, to score an affordable flight.

Right now, according to Smartertravel.com, you can fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica, from Miami, Florida for just $198 round trip! Once you’re there, you can relax on the beach, go shopping, even waste away at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant (and yes, you really can order a “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”)

To score this flight deal, you’ll need to book your flight as soon as possible, no later than September 7th.  You can travel anytime between now and December 10th. If you don’t already have a passport, you’ll need to remedy that ASAP to be able to fly.

Currently, the US Department of State takes about 6 weeks to send your passport back if you submit the application with regular processing. Expedited processing takes at least two to three weeks, and that’s only if you order overnight delivery service both to and from the Department of State.

The easiest way to get a passport, quick is to use a private passport expediting service, like RushMyPassport.com.  An expediting service will hand-deliver your passport application so that it moves to the “top of the stack” and gets processed quickly-often in as little as 24 hours.

Get ready to book your dream vacation-Get a passport, quick with RushMyPassport.com!

UPDATE: US passport regulations for travel to Jamaica have changed! Please see this updated entry for the most current information.

With US travel regulations changing so frequently over the past few years, you may be wondering whether or not a passport is required to go to Jamaica. The answer depends on a few different factors.

First, are you sailing to Jamaica or are you flying in? All American citizens, even children, must have a US passport to re-enter the US if they are traveling to Jamaica by plane.

Next, when are you traveling? Currently, US citizens who sail to and from Jamaica can re-enter the country using proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or state ID card).  This only applies to tourists-if you are entering Jamaica on a business trip, you must have a US passport regardless of your method of travel.

However, on June 1st, 2009, the rules will change. June 1st is when the final stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative becomes effective. After that date, all travelers to and from Jamaica will need to have US passports to re-enter the United States. There are a few exceptions to this requirement, including:

• Passengers on closed-loop cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can continue to use photo IDs and birth certificates.
• Children under the age of 16 can use their birth certificates.
• Children aged 18 and under can use their birth certificates if they are traveling in an organized, chaperoned school group, church group or sports team.

If you need to get a passport for a trip to Jamaica, experts recommend that you apply a few months in advance to make sure you have your passport in time.  If you are leaving within the next month or two and need a passport, submitting your passport application through a private passport expediting service will ensure you have your passport in plenty of time for your trip.

Expediting companies work with the US Passport Agency, hand-delivering your application to them for faster processing. Expediting companies also offer personal service and instructions to make the expediting process easier.

With an expediting company, you can have your passport application processed in as little as 24 hours, or choose a more affordable option and wait just a few days more.  Visit RushMyPassport.com and see how easy it is to get an expedited passport for your trip to Jamaica!