Tejas Asks:

My passport has been lost and I have decided to apply for duplicate passport, on the previous passport which was lost i traveled to Australia and stayed there for about 1 year, if I apply for new one or duplicate so will it contain my all information regarding previous traveled detailed or not?

Answer: Thanks for getting in touch Tejas!  This one was a bit tricky so we took your question right to the top, and spoke with a representative from the US Department of State.  According to their office, they do not track the country’s you may have visited in the past.  Though, there will be a record of your arrival and departure with Australian immigration – so if you’re trying to extend a travel visa, there will be a record.  Hope this helps!

Keep em coming!  If you have any questions or concerns about your passport or visa application, send them over.  Our team of experts will get you answers a.s.a.p.!

Today’s Question:

Donna asks “Can I put tape on the back of my birth certificate, it’s falling apart, and I am afraid it will rip when I submit it for my passport??”

Today’s Answer:

Hello Donna!  Thanks for getting in touch.  According to a representative from the US Department of State, it’s advised that you get a new birth certificate before sending it in for processing.  While the application maybe accepted with your current birth certificate, it will be up to the discretion of the processing officer.  This means if they deem it unacceptable, you could face significant delays in your processing time.  Hope that clears it up!

Anyone else have a question they’d like answered?  Just submit it here and we’ll get back to you a.s.a.p!

Do you have any passport or visa questions or your own?  Just ask here and our team of experts will get back to you a.s.a.p!

But where do you turn for quick answers?

Now you can turn to us!  Passportsandvisas.com is launching a free visa and passport forum located right here on our blog!  Now anytime you have any questions just post them here and we’ll get back to you with our expert answers!

For today’s question we’ll address one of your most common concerns:

How long does it take to get a passport?

How long it takes to get your passport depends on the way you apply for it.  For a new passport, the US Department of State is currently quoting processing times of 4 – 6 weeks.  For expedited service you can expect door to door service in approximately 2 -3 weeks.  And if you’re really in rush, or don’t want to deal with the complications of applying for your passport solo – just get in touch with us here.  We’ll take care of everything – and the best part?  We can usually get you a passport within 24 hours!

Have your own questions about passport or visas!  Submit them here!  Our team of experts will get back to you with answers a.s.a.p.!

According to statements by officials, the new facility was built to provide improved visa and passport services to American nationals, Emiratis, as well as other UAE residents.  Improved security was also cited as an  benefit.   As Jen Rasamimanana, the acting consulate general told reporters, the new facility “has a number of features that keep it as safe as possible for the folks working here and for the folks visiting here.  Those are the kind of things that weren’t possible to do in the World Trade Centre, which is an inherently public building and a skyscraper.

Travelers take note, the consulate general warns that “in preparation for the move, visa interviews in Dubai will be suspended from July 31^st through August 4^th.  In addition, routine services for American citizens will be suspended from August 2^nd to August 4^th.  American citizens in need of routine services during this period can make arrangements at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.  All services will resume on Sunday, August 7^th at the new Consulate General in Dubai.  Emergency services for American citizens will not be affected during the move.”

The new facility will be located at the corner of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road and Al Seef Road. For direction please consult the Map and Directions to the new US Consulate General.

Do I need a visa to travel to Russia? The answer for Russia is a resounding yes!  The Russian government maintains a strict (and often complicated) visa regime for any foreigners that visit.  Take note:  an Any US citizen that doesn’t carry a Russian visa can be subject to arrest, fines, or deportation… so it’s important that you get your paperwork right.

What kind of visa do I need? If you are planning to visit Russian on route to another country you’ll need to apply for a transit visa.  Technically, transit visas are only required for ground travel, but the US Department of State warns of potential complications even for travelers who arrive by air.  Do yourself a favor and grab a transit visa even if you never plan to leave the airport.

For travelers who plan to actually visit the country, you’ll most likely to need to apply for a single entry tourist visa; however, as we’ve said, the Russian visa system is complicated and every situation is different.  Make sure you consult an authority (like us) to confirm the requirements of your unique situation.

Can I get a visa on arrival or do I need to obtain my Russian travel visa in advance? You cannot obtain a visa on arrival.  All Russian travel documents must be obtained before entering the country.

How long can I stay? In general, most foreigners are only allowed a 90-day stay in Russia during a 180-day period; however, generally your visa will only be good for the term of the visit specified in the invitation letter provided by your sponsor.

Are there any special restrictions I should be aware of? Yes!  Here are a few of the biggies.

• Every foreign traveler that enters Russia must have a Russia-based sponsor.  According to the US Department of State, this could be anything from a “hotel, tour company, relative, employer, etc.”  It’s important to remember to ensure that the sponsor named on your visa is actually the person or place you intend to visit.  If not, you could run into serious trouble with Russian authorities.
• If you overstay your Russian visa you will not be permitted to leave the country.  Please make sure you do not overstay your visa.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the requested visit dates.

Are there any shortcuts to make the process easier? Absolutely!  If you want to avoid the headaches and complications that go along with your Russian visa application, just let us know.  We’ll take care of the entire process, all you do is send us your documents – and as an added bonus, we can get your visa much faster than you’ll be able to on your own.

And if you do choose to apply for your Russian visa on your own, and you have any questions, let us know!  We’re happy to help!

Q: How do I transfer valid Visas from an out of date passport to a new one?

A: Although some countries will transfer your Visa from your old passport to your new own, this is not necessary and will cost a fee. Do not attempt to cut your Visa out of your expired passport and put it in your new one – this could render the Visa invalid. Most countries (the United States, http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/questions-1253.html, and the United Kingdom, http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/faqs/, for example) will advise that you travel with both your expired passport containing the valid Visa, and your new passport, as long as both passports were issued by the same country.

Upon arrival at your destination, the Immigration Officer will check your Visa in your expired passport, as well as your new passport to allow entry. It is always best to check with the government of the country you are visiting to make sure you are following proper protocol.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/15/2268459/just-ask-gemalto-how-do-i-transfer.html#ixzz1PQ19PEfY

Have questions?  Don’t hesitate to ask!

First off you’ve got your regional passport centers.  There are 24 in total, and they’re all located near major cities, so unfortunately, if you don’t happy to live near one of them, your options are extremely limited.  For those of you that do, here are the steps:

1. Make an appointment. Do this as soon as you possibly can.  Appointments pile up fast and often times it can be days until there’s an open spot.
2. If you can’t get an appointment, just show up. If you’re going to do this, get to the passport center as early as you possibly can (read right when they open).  There not supposed to see you, but if you bring documents demonstrating your need for a next day passport, and you ask politely, you may just get lucky.
3. Fill out all the necessary forms and pay. Remember to check the US Department of State’s website to ensure your bringing all the necessary documentation including a passport photo, and a primary proof of citizenship and identity.  A birth certificate is your best bet.  If you’ve held a passport previously, they can look you up in their system, but be prepared to shell out extra money for their trouble.

Unfortunately, these centers are often booked up well in advance making it difficult to show up the day before and get your travel documents.

If you’re looking for reliability, you’re always better off going with a qualified passport expeditor.  Here’s why.  We’re not federal employees who are more interested than taking our lunch break than we are in servicing customers – you are always our first priority. We won’t send you running back and forth looking for documents or push back appointments because its closing time.

We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step to make sure you get your passport when you need it.

Here’s what to expect with if you get your next day passport through a passport expeditor:

• You’ll speak with one of our qualified representatives who’ll walk you step-by-step through the process.  We’ll make sure all your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.
• You’ll provide us with the necessary documents and paperwork.
• Sit back and wait for your next day passport to arrive.

Pretty simple huh?

And don’t worry about fee’s, the cost if virtually the same as working with regional passport centers.

Have any questions or need any additional advice on getting your next day passport?  Just let us know!  We’re happy to help.

Why would I need a duplicate passport?

There are many reasons, but here are a few of the most common.

Visiting politically sensitive countries that might impact future travel. In a report by AC360’s Chris Guillebeau, When [he] recently came back to the states via Miami… the immigration officer had a least a dozen questions for [him] as theyhe flipped through his passport. Among other things, they asked [him]:

• Why did you go to Pakistan?
• How many days were you there?
• Who did you meet with?
• Who paid you to go to Karachi?

A second passport helps to avoid these types of complications and delays.
No travel delays while you wait for visas to process. No need to be stuck at home (or abroad) while waiting for travel visas to process.  A second passport means a foreign consulate can hold onto one of your passports while you continue traveling with the second.
Peace of Mind. Now you don’t need to worry about losing your travel document.  A second passport gives you the piece of mind to know that no matter what, you’ll always have the identification you need.

So, how do you get your second passport?

Decide whether or not to use a professional service. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, you’ll find all the information you need to secure your second passport below.  If you need a little assistance, don’t want to deal with the hassle, or, need your second passport in a hurry, contact us.  We’ll take out all the guess-work and can often process applications within 24-hours.

Fill out the application. The application can be found on here.  For your duplicate passport, this application will either need to be submitted by mail or in person  (unless you utilize a passport service like us).

Write a letter explaining why you need a duplicate passport

If you’re a journalist or someone whose job requires constant travel to sensitive countries, you should have no problem.  If not, some compelling evidence, such as frequent international travel, will definitely help your case.  Try to illustrate how your duplicate passport would have been useful on previous trips.  Your letter usually needn’t be longer than one paragraph.

Submit the application as well as required documents

In addition to your application you’ll need two passport photos.

Pay the fee

The cost of a duplicate passport is $135 if you apply directly.  Expect to wait a minimum of four to six weeks for your application to process if you apply directly.  And remember, duplicate passports are only valid for two years (as opposed to ten years on your primary passport)

If you have any questions, need assistance, or don’t feel like waiting four to six weeks for your duplicate passport, let us know!  We can often turn applications around within 24 hours!