Posts Tagged ‘Passport holders’

US Passport Holders Not Rushin’ to Adopt Russian Children: Rush Passport NYC

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

passport-russianEach year, US passport holders visit foreign countries with the hopes of adopting a child.  These children become US citizens and US passport holders and get a shot at living the “American Dream”.  However, this is a case of a Russian boy adopted by an American couple that actually has returned to Russia.  The boy used his US passport to return to Russia.  The boy claims that his adoptive family treated him so poorly that he even lived on the streets of Philadelphia and was forced to steal in order to survive.

Alexander Abnosov, was adopted at the age of 13.  Abnosov, now 18, returned to Russia to live with his 72 year old grandmother.  Abnosov now be the poster boy of the Kremlin and its ban on US adoptions of Russian children.  There are some that feel that US families should not be allowed to adopt Russian children.  Others feel that Americans should have the right to adopt Russian children.

Alexander Abnosov is seen in the photo displaying a US passport.  His US passport lists his adoptive name as Joshua Alexander Salotti.  Abnosov blames his adoptive mother for nitpicking him.  Abnosov left his home in Philadelphia and was living in a shelter.  According to Abnosov, when his parents visited him in the shelter, they gave him $500 and told him to use his US passport to go back to Russia.

In Russia, Abnosov’s story is top news on state television.  It is being show as the example of the problems that can arise when Russian children adopted by US parents.  Russia banned all American adoptions of Russian children back in December 2012.

While some feel that US passport holders have no right to travel to Russia for the purpose of adopting Russian children, others feel that US families can offer Russian children a chance to have a family.  For the past twenty years, US passport holders have been adopting Russian children.

If you are interested in getting a passport or visa, give us a call at (212) 643-9305. 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 and Connecticut.

Passport Security Alert: Rush Passport NYC

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

passport renewalAs you know, passports are important travel documents.  Passengers traveling from the United States to other countries around the whole must show their passports.  The same goes for passport holders in the UK.  However, hundreds of passengers recently walked into the United Kingdom without having their passports checked.  This passport mishap happened after immigration systems failed at a major airport in England.

As it turns out, as many as 200 travelers were upset due to a three hour delay, so they took matters into their own hands and walked through border patrol without showing their passports.

The delays were the result of a computer power failure.  The problem prevented all new arrivals to the UK from having their passports scanned.

This poses a potential threat as many people could have illegally entered the UK.

This computer passport problem occurred for the second night in a row.  The night before approximately 500 passengers entered without showing their passports.

In an attempt to get control of the situation, border patrol allowed passengers to proceed after providing their names and passport numbers so that checks could be carried out once the system was running.

If you are interested in getting a US passport, if you need a visa or if you would like a US passport card, contact the passport professionals at Rush Passport™Rush Passport™ New York City passport office specializes in passport expediting services.

Give us a call at (212) 643-9305. 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 and Connecticut.

Visa Regulations Need Reform to Bring in Chinese Tourists: Rush Passport

Monday, February 20th, 2012

US visa from ChinaIn a recent Rush Passport™ blog entry, the topic was getting a Chinese visa to travel to the United States. 

The main problem with the United States visa system is that it cannot keep up with the Chinese demand.  China is currently the source of over 10% of all US visa applications.  The only other country that has more passport holders applying for US visas is Mexico.  With so many visa applicants, the visa system should be able to accomodate the large numbers to maximize travel to the United States.

However, the is a currently a 3 month wait just to get a visa applicant interview.  Each visa applicant must have an in-person visa interview in order to be approved for travel to the United States.

It is in the best interest of the United States to process Chinese visa applicants more efficiently.

In order to expedite the handling of visas from China to the United States, there needs to be more American staff members at the embassy and UIS Consulates in China.  In addition, more interview facilities need to be made available to Chinese visa applicants.  The best case scenario is that a visa interview can be made in 48 hours or less once the visa application is submitted.

Another way to make the visa process smoother would be to grant visas to pre-qualified travelers who were granted visas in the past.

It is understood that national security should be the United States’ prime concern, but it is also very important from an economical standpoint to make the visa application process more efficient.

Other countries are competing for Chinese tourists and have taken steps to ease the visa process.  Japan, for example, has made it so that a Chinese visa applicant who lives in a big city must only need to have a credit card to be approved for a visa.

New Zealand has also eased theire visa regulations with the hopes of attracting Chinese tourists.

Spain sees the opportunites to bring in more Chinese tourists and in addition to easing visa regulations, has also encouraged airlines to schedule more direct flights between the two countries.

Germany is also planning moves towards simplifying the visa process for Chinese applicants.

If you have more questions about getting  a visa, a passport, an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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 and Connecticut.

Visa Application Amendments Coming to the US? : Rush Passport NYC

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Passport Visa WaiverAn article in the USA today states that “For most foreigners, taking a last-minute business or leisure trip to New York, Los Angeles, Miami or other U.S. travel hubs would be nearly impossible. The average wait time for a visa interview in Rio de Janeiro, for example, was 87 days, according to the State Department.”

In a perfect world, visa interview wait times should not be more than a week, travelers would not overstay their visas and terrorists would not apply for visas.  However, this not being a perfect world, the US must do its best to balance the importance of visa applications and national security.

Most visitors to the United States enter through the country’s Visa Waiver Program.  The Visa Waiver Program allows travelers from 36 countries to temporarily visit the United States without a visa. Currently, Argentina, Brazil, Poland and Taiwan are not part of the Visa Waiver Program.  Many feel that these nations should be added because their residents are not likely to illegally overstay their visas and decide to stay in the United States indefinitely.

It is also tough for tourists from countries like India, China, Mexico to use their passports to travel to the US because they must obtain nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant visa process is lengthy and expensive.

Passport holders who live far away from their country’s visa processing centers must visit the interview location without knowing whether or not their visas will be approved.  A proposed solution to the visa interview process is videoconferencing.  However, the US Department of State is not willing to explore this option due to safety and technological concerns.

Prior to 9/11, in-person visa application interviews were not required.  Visas could be approved by consular officials based solely on responses entered into the visa application. Visa applicants must go through more intense screenings that include fingerprint checks and facial recognition screening of passport photographs.

If you need a visa, an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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 and Connecticut.

More US Visas Equals More Money and More Risks: Rush Passport NYC

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Customs officers in the United States check passports of non-resident visitors everyday at airports all over the country.  Passport holders from countries all over the world visit the United States and spend money on food, hotels, clothing and souvenirs.  Visitors use their passports to visit New York City, Las Vegas, Disney World and a host of other destinations.

While the tourist industry in the United States is doing well, many believe that it could be doing better.  Passport holders abroad must sometimes wait months to find out whether or not their tourist visa applications will be approved.  This inconvenience may cause travelers who wish to come to the United States to use their passports to travel to other destinations instead.

It was not always the case that foreign visitors had to wait so long to get a tourist visa to visit the US.  After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks foreign visitors certainly have a tougher time getting a temporary visa.  A campaign is in motion that may sway Congress into giving the US Department of State’s tourist visa application process an overhaul.

The proposed amendments to the US passport and visa process are expected to increase the number of visitors to the United States.  However, while tourism may see a boost, these changes must not compromise the nation’s security.  It is not an easy task for the State Department to increase passport visa services while maintaining tight security. 

When it comes to visa services in the United States, security is the top priority.  The visa system must enforce the immigration laws of the United States.  Some are opposed to increasing the number of visitors because they feel that more visas would mean that the nation would be placed at greater risk.

The risk of freely handing out visas doesn’t only mean that there is more potential for terrorism, it also means that people may enter the country with temporary visas and never return to their countries of origin.  While the US Department of State would like people who enter the US with visas to go home when their visas expire, many people want to come and live here. 

If you need a visa, an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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 and Connecticut.

Need a Visa? More Visas Mean More Tourists to NYC: Rush Passport

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

visa nyAccording to a recent article posted on bloomberg.com millions of tourists visited the United States from overseas to celebrate the 2011 holiday season.  These tourists all needs passports and sometimes visas to visit the US.  These foreign passport holders spend billions of dollars in the United States.  However, groups such as the U.S. Travel Association think that the US could have even more tourists in 2012 and bring in much more revenue. 

New York City is the most popular travel destination and gets millions of visitors.  However, according the article, New York City and the rest of the United States could get even more tourists if it wasn’t for the US visa bureaucracy.  It seems that the current visa system is unprepared to handle the growth in the demand for US tourist visas and business visas.   It seems that passport holders in China must wait weeks for visa interviews.  Passport holders from Brazil and India who wish to visit the United States must also wait weeks for visa interviews.

The article doesn’t only mention problems, but also offers solutions to the visa problem.  The article suggests increasing visa officers in the high- growth markets such as China, Brazil and India.  This would help passport holders in those countries get visas more quickly.  Another suggestion would be to hold visa interviews for applicants who don’t reside close to US consulates.  The third suggestion would be to ease the requirement for in-person visa interviews.  It seems that all of these three ideas were incorporated into the latest budget legislation that President Obama signed.

Another idea that could bring more travelers to the US in 2012 would be to expand the Visa Waiver Program.  Currently passport holders from 36 countries are permitted to visit the United States without a visa.  In order to be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, countries must have a low refusal rate when granting nonimmigrant visas to American citizens, take steps to improve their passport security, and share law-enforcement and security data with the United States. 

One of the problems with expanding the Visa Waiver Program is that the Department of Homeland Security needs to be able to verify the departures of almost all foreign visitors who arrive by air.  That presents a great problem because there are many citizens from Brazil, India and China who would like to live in the United States permanently.  Once inside the US, they may never return.  It is estimated that currently there are millions of illegal immigrants in the US who have overstayed their visas. 

If you need an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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 and Connecticut.

US Passport Revoked: Travel Limited to New York for USA Cricket Team Captain: Rush Passport

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

Passport NYCPassports can be confiscated from passport holders if they are considered to be a risk to leave the country.  Such is the case for USA cricket team captain, Steve Massiah.  Massiah’s passport was confiscated by the US and his travel is restricted to New York following his November 22nd arrest for falsifying mortgage loan applications.

Massiah, the USA team captain, is not only without a passport, but he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.  While Massiah is confined to New York, he was given permission to travel to Florida for the US Cricket Open.  Obviously he didn’t need his passport as he did not travel internationally from New York to Florida. 

It is unlikely that Massiah will be participating for the New York Region in the USACA Twenty20 Nationals scheduled from January 20 to 22 in Florida.  It is in that tournament where the USA squad will be selected for the ICC World Tournament.  Without a passport, Massiah will not be of much use to the US Team.

It is alleged that Massiah and two others planned to participate in a scheme to defraud Countrywide Home Loans by obtaining  funds under fraudulent pretenses.
While it is a right for US citizens to obtain passports, it is also a privilege to hold a valid US passport.  Passport privileges can be revoked on a case by case basis.

If you need an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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 and Connecticut.

Are Passport Fees Going to Get Lowered? : Rush Passport NYC

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Passport fees too expensive?  Do you think that passports cost too much money?  Two members of congress from NY have a plan to make passports more affordable.  Democrats Brian Higgins and Kathy Hochul represent districts near the US – Canada border where thousands of passport holders travel cross each day. 

Passport Fees LowerTheir constituents not only want the passport fees to be lower, but they need passports now more than ever before due to the stricter requirements for travelers wishing to cross the US – Canada border.

The plan to lower the cost of passports may carry some weight since both Higgins and Hochul server on the Homeland Security Committee.

An adult passport currently costs $110 + $25 processing fee.  The adult passport is good for 10 years.  The cost is approximately $13 per year.  Proponents think that by lowering the cost of getting a passport more people will apply for passports.  Others think that passport fees are already low enough.  New technology and security measures have made the cost of producing a US passport rise.  By lowering the cost of the passport, the passports would actually cost the US Department of State money.

If you need a US passport card or other passport services such as an expedited passport, emergency passport, same day passport, US Passport book or passport photos be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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

95 Year Old US Citizen Can’t Get a US Passport: Rush Passport Blog

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

get a passport95-year-old Leland Davidson had been an undocumented US citizen for his entire life.  Davidson was born in Canada to American Parents.  When he was five, his parents (both US passport holders) moved back to the US to raise their son in America.

Davidson voted, obtained his social security number and even served in the United States Navy during WWII.

His US citizenship came automatically because his parents were both born in the US.  Although Davidson was born in Canada, since his parents were both US passport holders, he was automatically given US citizenship.

However, last summer he was planning a trip to Canada and applied for an enhanced Washington State Driver’s License.  He was told by the Department of Licensing that he couldn’t get an enhanced driver’s license because he was a Canadian citizen.

Davidson was trying to get an enhanced driver’s license to travel to Canada.  The enhanced driver’s license can be used to enter Canada from the US and return back to the US in lieu of a passport. 

Davidson was shocked.  He thought of himself as a US citizen for 95 years and now he was told that he was a Canadian citizen.  After a few months and a lot of red tape, Davidson finally was recognized as a US citizen.  Davidson can get an enhanced driver’s license or a US passport to travel between the US and Canada.  A US passport will also allow him to travel the world if he so wishes.

Davidson said he never got a US passport because he never traveled abroad.  For years he had traveled back and forth to Canada, but never had to show more than a driver’s license.

All of that changed 2 years ago when the US government regulations changed and a passport or enhanced driver’s license was now required for people traveling by land to Canada from the US.

Need a Passport?

If you need a US passport card or other passport services such as an expedited passport, emergency passport, same day passport, US Passport book or passport photos be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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.

Passport Frequently Asked Questions: Rush Passport

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

What is a passport?

US passportA passport is a travel document.  The passport generally comes in the form of a small booklet.  A passport has several functions.   Not only does a passport enable a person to travel outside of their home country, a passport has other functions.  While a passport does not automatically grant a passport holder the right to enter any country, US passport holders may travel to many countries without having to get further documentation.   A passport also acts as proof of citizenship.  A person holding a U.S. Passport is recognized internationally a United States citizen.

What is a passport card?

The passport card first because available in July 2008.  A passport card is a wallet-sized travel document that can be utilized to travel from the US to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land and sea.  The passport card is not valid for air travel.  The passport card is very convenient for US citizens who live close to the US border with Mexico or Canada and to those who travel frequently by land or sea.  Passport cards cannot be used for travel to destinations other than Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.  Passport cards cannot be used for any air travel whatsoever.  

For how long is a US passport valid?

The length of time that a passport is valid for depends on the passport holder’s age.  Adult US passports for individuals ages 16 and older are valid for a period of 10 years.  Children ages 15 and under receive passports that are valid for 5 years.

If you need an expedited passport, emergency passport, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can 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.