Passports & Visas
It’s important for clients to know what documents they’ll need before planning an international vacation. Prepare yourself in the early planning stages, so you’ll have a stress-free departure!
Required Documents for International Travel
You are required to have a U.S. Passport Book when traveling by air to any international location.
Please note: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Contact us before your cruise to ensure you have the appropriate documents.
U.S. Passport Cards
The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.
Timing
Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances. During busier times, such as the summer travel season, customers are encouraged to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 10 weeks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passport operations have been significantly reduced. Please refer to https://travel.state.gov/ for the latest information including updates about the availability of passport processing for customers applying at an acceptance facility or renewing by mail.
Passport Expiration
Processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances. During busier times, such as the summer travel season, customers are encouraged to expedite their applications if traveling in less than 10 weeks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passport operations have been significantly reduced. Please refer to https://travel.state.gov/ for the latest information including updates about the availability of passport processing for customers applying at an acceptance facility or renewing by mail.
Getting or Renewing a Passport
Detailed information about passports and international travel requirements, along with instructions for applying for a passport can be found at travel.state.gov.
Real ID
Beginning October 1, 2021, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID, to fly within the United States. Please visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID.
More information about REAL ID can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
*For more information about passport requirements, please contact the U.S. Department of State.
Visas
U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad they may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Country Specific Travel Information.
*Find out more about both the immigrant and non-immigrant visa process at the State Department’s visa main page. U.S. Passports and International Travel.