RON ADAR / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM when sending materials by mail . Not to mention , travelers should account for up to two more weeks for their completed passport to return home .
WHAT ’ S BEING DONE ? All this begs the question , when so many U . S . citizens want to explore the world , how can the DOS make sure their documentation is processed in an efficient and timely manner ? According to Blinken , it comes down to a few things : the continued lift from the U . S . passport task force , the ongoing rollout of new technology and transparency .
“ I think it ’ s really important that we be as clear and transparent as possible with people who are looking for passports to know what they can expect ,” said Blinken . And hopefully , for travelers ready to renew their passports , that will soon mean looking forward to a faster and easier process thanks to the highly anticipated release of the DOS ’ online passport renewal platform , which is still undergoing its trial period .
Despite not being ready to launch just yet , the rollout of the new platform is anticipated to make a big dent in processing delays . “ We expect that 65 % of renewal customers for passports will be able to do so online once this program is fully up and running ,” said Blinken . In the meantime , the DOS is perfecting the product as they fine-tune the platform based on customer feedback before rolling it out on a larger scale .
THE GOLDEN RULE While travelers don ’ t have much of a say when it comes to passport processing , there ’ s one huge thing they can do to make their lives easier and their vacations smoother : apply early . In fact , some industry pros go as far as to recommend people not even start making their travel plans until they have a valid passport in hand . And the DOS agrees : “ We are committed to transparency and will continue to provide regular updates about passport processing times , and to encourage Americans to apply for their passport well in advance of any planned international travel to avoid last-minute issues .”
SUMMER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 85