Passports
When should you Renew your Passport?
The answer is six months if not sooner than the expiration date of the passport. At 16 years or older your passport is good for 10 years, however, when traveling to some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip. So make sure you are aware of your passports expiration date. Just because you may have 6 months of validity does not mean you will be able to enter a foreign countries. So know when your passport expires as this could turn a dream vacation you have been planning for sometime into a nightmare at the boarder. How often should you renew your passport? A child’s passport ( 0 - 5) years is good for five years. The same 6 month rule pertains to children when traveling to a foreign country. I tell myself that my passport actually expires 6 months before the actual expiration date because technically your passport is good for 9 1/2 years not 10 years.
How long a Passport takes to be Issued once the required documents are finalized?
How long does it take to get a passport? There are 3 different timeframes available when applying for a passport. The quicker you need it, the more expensive it is to obtain this federal document. Routine passports start at $169 to process but the sooner it may be needed the more money it will cost, let’s look at all 3 options when you can receive your passport. 1. When you file for a " routine" passport it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to receive 2. When having the passport “ Expedited” for an extra charge you should receive the passport within 2 to 3 weeks. 3. Your third option is “ Urgent “ In order to qualify for “ urgent” processing you have to show proof you will be traveling internationally within the next 14 days and an appointment is not optional but required for this type of passport.
Travel Medical Insurance, when Traveling Abroad Don’t Leave the U.S. Without It!
Travel medical insurance protects you in the event of an illness or injury when traveling outside of the United States providing medical benefits in the event of an emergency. The consequences of not purchasing medical travel insurance could be devastating, you could loose your everything you own. Foreign Countries will go as far as confiscating your passport leaving you unable to leave the country if you fail to pay your medical bill. What should you do if this happens? Locate your country’s embassy because the embassy can provide crucial assistance in navigating the foreign legal and medical system, potentially helping to negotiate with the healthcare provider, to find out how they can help however, the traveler is responsible for the medical bills, the United States has no obligation to pay for unintentional medical expenses in a foreign country. The number one reason travelers go without insurance is because they are unaware of the consequences.