You can't travel internationally without a passport, but obtaining one is not the simplest process. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest...
The State Department is facing a deepening backlog in processing passports. It’s now taking 10 to 13 weeks for passport applications to be completed, not including mailing time, says the agency. That’s up from pre-pandemic timelines of six to eight weeks. The delays are being blamed on a surge in international travel. The State Department is hiring more agents and approving tens of thousands of hours of overtime to process an expected 25 million passports this year, versus 22 million in 2022.
Among the congressional ideas to ease the delays:
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- A 12-week requirement for processing time
- A tracking system for folks to monitor their application status
- Expanding in-person appointments at regional passport offices
- Prodding airlines and travel booking companies to provide passport requirement info during booking
Note that some countries don’t accept passports that expire in six months or less. Travelers can pay $60 for an expedited passport and an extra $19.53 for one to two day delivery service, but wait times are still long.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
-
Stock Market Today: Dow Leads as UnitedHealth Stock PopsUnitedHealth was the best Dow Jones stock Monday on reports that Medicare Advantage payments could rise in 2026.
-
Earnings Season: Live Updates and CommentaryFourth-quarter earnings season is getting underway, and Wall Street is keeping a close eye on both results and guidance.
-
Universal Savings Accounts Are Like Roth IRAs, But With a TwistThe Tax Letter Republican lawmakers and conservative think tanks are proposing a new type of tax-advantaged savings account. Think Roth IRAs, but not just for retirement.
-
Will lower mortgage rates bring relief to the housing market?The Kiplinger Letter As mortgage rates slowly come down here's what to expect in the housing market over the next year or so.
-
Car Prices Are Finally Coming DownThe Kiplinger Letter For the first time in years, it may be possible to snag a good deal on a new car.
-
New Graduates Navigate a Challenging Labor MarketThe Kiplinger Letter Things are getting tough for new graduates. Job offers are drying up and the jobless rate is increasing. Are internships the answer?
-
QCDs Are a Tax-Smart Way for Retirees To Donate to CharityThe Tax Letter With QCDs, retirees can save on taxes by making donations from their IRAs directly to charity. Here's what you need to know about qualified charitable distributions.
-
How to Beat Soaring Home and Auto Insurance PremiumsThe Kiplinger Letter What’s behind the insurance price hikes, and what to do about them?
-
How to Navigate an Extra-Busy Summer Travel SeasonThe Kiplinger Letter Tips for beating the exceptional crowds expected this year and keeping your vacation budget manageable.
-
Tax Tips for Transferring Excess 529 Plan Funds to Roth IRAs: The Tax LetterThe Tax Letter 529 plans can help blunt the cost of paying for college. But if you want to use leftover funds there are some tax tips to bear in mind.
