Passport Update for 2017

In 2016 we informed you that the State Department was urging Americans to apply for expired passports and/or new ones as they expected a large demand throughout 2016.  Well, we’ll say it again for 2017.  Officials say they expect 20 million passport renewal requests in 2017. 

Why?  Chalk it up to The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which was put into effect in 2007 and mandated that Americans entering the U.S. by air from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda would be required to have a passport, and the January 2018 implementation of the Real ID Act has led to an increased number of applications from travelers unsure whether their driver’s license will be accepted as a valid form of ID for domestic travel. 

In late 2017 the “Next Generation” passport will finally see its debut.  The passport will have an embedded data chip on the information page protected by a polycarbonate coating.  This will help prevent your book from getting wet and bending, and should your passport be stolen, the chip will keep people from falsifying an identity.  The passport number will also be laser cut as tapered, perforated holes through pages—just one of several components of the “Next Generation” passport, including an artwork upgrade, new security features such as a watermark, tactile features, and more optically variable inks.  In other words: some designs on pages will be raised and ink—depending on the viewing angle—will appear to be different colors.

Stricter rules for an application apply.  As of November, 2016, glasses are no longer allowed in passport photos, as glares reflecting off the lenses led to the State Dept. turning away thousands of applications because of bad photos.  You’re still allowed to wear glasses in the photo if you have a medical condition.  Just submit a doctor’s note along with your application.

Log on to www.travel.state.gov for in-depth information and any questions you may have; or give us a call.  We’ll tell you what you need to know.  Your passport is the best form of identification to have.

800.248.8404 ~ www.reidtravel.com ~ mail@reidtravel.com