Posts Tagged ‘getting a passport’
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Nigerians are being urged to get the new electronic passports before the December 31st, 2010 deadline. If not, they may not be able to use their existing passports to travel outside the country.
The current Machine Readable Passport, MRP will be invalid as of midnight December, 31st of this year.
Nigerian officials warn that failure to comply with the new passport regulations will result in travel outside the country being denied. Passport officials are being instructed to challenge any MRP passport holders who fail to present the new electronic passports.
In addition, the Passport Office is requiring all foreign nationals in Nigeria to register biometrically.
Currently, most travel passports in the world are MRPs. They were standardized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and contain a special Machine Readable Zone or MRZ that appears at the bottom of the identity page in the front pages of a passport.
The information that must be provided in the zone include: passport holder’s name, passport number, passport holder’s nationality, date of birth, gender, passport expiration date and personal identity number. Some countries also include optional, supplementary information.
A biometric passport or e-passport (ePassport) is a combination of paper and electronic passport. Biometric passports contain biometric data used to confirm the authenticity of passport holders. E-passports use smart card technology, a microprocessor chip (computer chip) and antenna (for both power to the chip and communication) embedded in either the front, back cover, or center page of the passport.
If you are a US citizen and you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
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Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Passport News Update: The US Customs and Border Protection agency has announced two important changes to the Visa Waiver Program. This policy change is in effect for foreign passport holders planning to visit the US.
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The first change begins on September 8, 2010. Business and leisure travelers who use their passports to enter the US will be charged a new operational and travel promotion fee of $14.00. This fee will register passport holders for ESTA. This is an electronic travel authorization that passport holders must get before boarding a plane or ship to the United States. The ESTA application is to be filled out online prior to travel. Once approved, ESTA travel authorization is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires.
The second change, involves a transition to paperless processing for Visa Waiver Program travelers. It applies to those passport holders arriving by air or sea who have already obtained ESTA authorization. Under the new automated process, if a passport holder is at a designated port of entry, the passport officer will stamp the applicant’s passport. The passport holder’s departure from the US will be documented electronically.
Currently, thirty six countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Those countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
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Sunday, September 5th, 2010
Passports in the UK are about to get a makeover! The UK Passports have been redesigned in an effort to help fight identity theft and passport fraud.
Enhanced passport security features include placing the passport security chip out of view as well as a personal data section of the new passport that features holograms.
The passport holder’s personal details used to be on the back of the passport and now they appear on the passport’s second page. The passport photo of the passport holder now appears twice. The new passports will be in circulation starting October 2010.
Cosmetic changes to the UK passport include pages that will display UK scenes such as the White Cliffs of Dover and the Giant’s Causeway.
The government expects the new passport to give UK citizens added piece of mind as well as solid protection from identity theft and passport fraud.
The main difference between the existing passports and the enhanced passports is that the security chip will now be hidden inside the passport cover.
This new feature is intended to make it more difficult to alter the chip without causing visible damage to the passport cover.
The change of adding the personal data to page 2 of the passport is an effort to speed up passenger wait times when traveling through border patrols.
This combination of physical and electronic security features will make the UK passport one of the most secure passports in the world, in line with the international passport standards.
If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ : Expediter of Passports, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: adult passport, American Passport, child passport, expired passport, get a passport, getting a passport, lost passport, passport, passport applications, passport book, passport card, passport emergency, Passport holders, passport security, Passport Services, renew passport, rush passport, rushpassport.com, UK Passport, US Passport Card
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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Passport processing doesn’t always go smoothly, so when you really need to get a passport, it is best to use a passport expediter. Rush Passport’s™ Passport Expediting Services are the solution when getting a passport doesn’t go as planned.
A recent article in the LA Times concerns a woman who applied for her passport along with her son’s passport and husband’s passport. After waiting for almost 6 weeks, her husband’s passport arrived along with her son’s passport, however – her passport did not arrive. After contacting the passport office, she was told that her passport was still being processed. Then after checking again she was told that her passport would not be issued because her birth certificate was unofficial.
Worried that she wouldn’t get her passport in time for her trip, she didn’t know what to do. This passport snafu presented a stressful situation. If you find yourself in a passport quandary, call Rush Passport™. Rush Passport™ is registered to do business with the US Department of State. Rush Passport’s™ Passport Expediting Services are the solution for passport problems.
Rush Passport’s™ professional passport expediters have vast experience and incredible knowledge of the passport system. We expedite passports and make getting a passport simple – all while making people’s trips come true each and every day!
Our New York City Passport Agency has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking staff ready to assist you in any way we can. We are dedicated to making the passport process as simple as possible.
If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: adult passport, child passport, fast passport, get a passport, getting a passport, live passport agent, NY Passport Agency, passport, passport agency, passport application, passport expediters, passport expediting, passport problems, Passport Services, quick passport, rush passport, rushpassport.com, same day passport, US passport, US Passport Card
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Monday, August 30th, 2010
Passports are important documents that not only can be used for identification, but more importantly passports are needed for international travel.
The census form is also an important document – but what does it have to do with the passport? Right now – not much… but if Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe has anything to say about it passport renewals will be contingent upon completion of census forms.
There is currently a problem in Canada regarding low census form returns. Duceppe feels that if citizens do not fill out census forms that the government should withhold services such as initial passport applications and passport renewals.
Citizens have rights, but they also have responsibilities.
Can the government refuse to provide government services such as processing a passport? Or is this going too far?
Proponents of withholding passports feel that getting a passport is a privilege that citizens must earn through cooperation with governmental requests. Those opposed to the proposed passport legislation feel that the government does not have the right to withhold passport services regardless of whether or not the census form is completed.
It should be interesting to see how this question of withholding passports turns out.
If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ : Expediter of Passports, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: census, getting a passport, passport, passport agency, passport agent, passport applications, Passport expediter, passport legislation, passport renewal, passports, rush passport, rushpassport.com, US passport, US Passport Card
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Friday, August 20th, 2010
Getting a passport in time for his next bout may have been an even bigger challenge than the fight itself for boxer, Chad Dawson. Born in Hartsville, South Carolina, Dawson is being hailed as boxing’s next American superstar. He has won 29 bouts with 17 knockouts. Even though he hasn’t been knocked out inside the ring – outside the ring presents another story. Dawson has had problems with his manager and trainer – and most recently passport problems stood to score a big knockout!
Dawson was supposed to fly from Hartford, Connecticut to Montreal for a press conference. He was told repeatedly that he needed to have a passport to enter Canada. However, on the day of the flight, Dawson realized that he could not find his passport.
Because Dawson could not find the passport, he missed the flight to Montreal and appeared in the press conference by telephone instead of in person.
Dawson was worried that he would end up missing the fight altogether if he could not locate his missing passport or get a replacement passport issued before his fight.
As it turns out, Dawson got the passport on time – but he probably wishes that he hadn’t… Unfortunately for Dawson, he found his passport – but he lost his WBC light heavyweight belt! Dawson lost the fight to Jean Pascal on August 14th after the fight was stopped in the 11th round.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be traveling abroad for a boxing match to get a passport – all you have to do is apply for a passport. If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ : Expediter of Passports, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: Expediter of Passports, getting a passport, passport, Passport expediter, passports, rush passport, rushpassport.com, US passport, US Passport Card
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Passports are crucial for couples planning to get married. When it comes to a destination wedding or traveling abroad for the honeymoon – getting a passport is essential! If you don’t think getting a passport is important, just ask former NFL linebacker Jason Thomas.
Thomas proposed to his girlfriend, Jocelyn Hines and within a month Hines had fully planned a destination wedding for Jamaica.
However, three weeks before the wedding, Thomas realized that he didn’t have a current passport. He phoned the passport office and Thomas was told that he could get a same day passport, if necessary. He applied for the passport online and he waited 2 weeks for his passport to arrive. When his passport did not arrive, he went to the passport office in person. At the passport office, he was instructed to return the following Monday, just two days before his wedding on the island of Jamaica. The passport didn’t come Monday or Tuesday either.
Thomas called Hines at work and broke the news that he was unable to get a passport. The following day, as scheduled, Hines boarded the plane and flew to Jamaica to greet their 50 guests. Thomas was forced to stay home as he did not receive his passport in time.
The passport arrived soon after, but it was too late.
Hines returned to Baltimore and this time Thomas planned a wedding in their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland – where getting a passport was not part of the requirements.
They were married two months later – and they had their choice of honeymoon destinations as the newlyweds both were valid passport holders.
Don’t let this happen to you. Newly engaged? Newly married? Planning a destination wedding or honeymoon overseas? You’ll need a passport. If you are interested in obtaining a valid US Passport or US Passport Card, contact Rush Passport™ (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 / New York Passport Agency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak with a Live Passport Agent or visit us online at http://www.rushpassport.com
Tags: destination wedding, emergency passport, get a passport, getting a passport, live passport agent, need a passport, passport agency, passport agent, Passport holders, passport office, passport online, passports, rush passport, rushpassport.com, same day passport, traveling abroad, US passport, US Passport Card
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Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Passports have replaced diplomas as the most sought after document on college campuses! As mentioned in a previous Rush Passport™ blog entry, it was reported that students from Ohio State University are being encouraged to get passports. The University of Toledo is also following suit and now there is a push for each student to get a passport.
The University of Toledo’s director of academic engagement understands the value of student passports and the potential international opportunities they present for undergraduates.
Not only are students being encouraged to get passports, but also to travel abroad.
The University of Toledo is committed to making the passport process as simple as possible as they take steps to compile and help students fill out the necessary forms to get a passport, and schedule appointments for students to get their passport photos taken.
UT is in the process of revamping the university’s study abroad program and obviously the process of getting a passport is a big part of the program’s success.
Faculty members are being encouraged to organize research trips abroad and UT students with passports can apply for travel grants through the Office of Study Abroad.
University of Toledo’s “Get a Passport” campaign should spark an increase in the number of students with passports.
Currently, only 30 percent of American citizens hold passports. You don’t have to be a student to get a passport. If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.
Tags: diplomas, get a passport, get passports, get their passport, getting a passport, live passport agent, passport, passport agency, passport blog, passport photos, passports, rush passport, student passports, study abroad, US passport, US Passport Card
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Sunday, August 1st, 2010
In a recent CNN The Debrief blog entry by Abbie Boudreau, the question was posed as to whether sex offenders should be permitted to get US Passports?
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are thousands of registered sex offenders being issued US Passports.
Why are these sex offenders being issued passports? Evidently, the US Department of State cannot legally deny registered sex offenders from getting a passport. However, people who have been convicted of “sex tourism” crimes can be blocked from getting a passport and have existing passports invalidated.
The Government Accountability Office did a case study report of 30 registered sex offenders. Many of them had multiple sex offenses, and utilized their passports to travel abroad to countries known for sex tourism activity. The most notorious destinations include Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The blog entry ends with author, Abbie Boudreau, posing the question: Do you think registered sex offenders should be allowed to receive US Passports?
Some would argue that sex offenders should not be issued passports because they would be more prone to travel abroad for “sex tourism”. Others feel that these sex offenders would just commit sex crimes in the US if their passports were cancelled and they were not allowed to travel abroad. What do you think?
Both sides have pros and cons. Regardless of which side of the argument you believe in, one thing is certain, these people are in need of professional help.
Tags: get a passport, getting a passport, passport, passport card, passports, rush passport, US passport
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010
“Get a passport!” These three important words of encouragement were chosen by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk in his commencement speech at SMU this past spring. He went onto to urge students to get their passports and travel in order to gain insight that will make them better citizens of this country and of the planet.
In today’s world, broadening one’s global perspective can be extremely valuable – especially to students fresh out of college. In fact, as undergraduates, it is even more important to take advantage of opportunities to study abroad and visit foreign countries.
While not everyone has been fortunate enough to have a reason to get a passport prior to graduation, why not use graduation as an excuse to get a passport and travel before joining the workforce full-time? Whether backpacking across Europe or visiting South America or China, students can benefit tremendously from the experiences that overseas travel can provide.
Globalization is evidenced by the high level of integration that characterizes economic activities around the world. Think about it – everything from food supply chains all the way up to high finance indicate that on a daily basis people rely on goods and services from all over the globe. As human beings we have become more interdependent than ever.
By getting a passport and traveling, people develop an appreciation for human diversity. Passports create bridges for individuals to experience living conditions different from their own. Passports help to builds tolerance for others and understanding for different ways of doing things. Passports help people to develop qualities that enable them to make ethical decisions and help make the world a better place.
So, students – take Ron Kirk’s advice and get a passport! Travel will help to instill an understanding and global perspective in you – our future leaders.
If you don’t have your passport yet, it’s not too late – but be sure to get a passport before July 13th, 2010 when the adult passport rates are due to increase. If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Agency.
Tags: adult passport, get a passport, getting a passport, passports, rush passport, US passport, US Passport Card
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