• International Travel

    The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs proviThe U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs provides detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allowInternational Travel

    The U.S. Department of State’s BureauSupporting U.S. citizens worldwide

    Planning Your Travel

    Use our International Travel Checklist and helpful best practices to plan your trip.

    Review important planning tools:

    Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) sends important messages from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

    Resources to support safe travel plans for your trips.Start planning your travel

    Living Abroad Resources

    Find valuable resources to help navigate life events and fulfill your federal responsibilities.

    Stay informed while living abroad:

    Life events while abroad: birth, marriage, retirement, and death.

    Absentee voting and paying your U.S. federal taxes.

    Learn about American Citizens Services sections at U.S. embassies and consulates.Explore resources

    Help Abroad

    Find out how to prepare for and get help when a crime, emergency, or crisis occurs.

    Learn how to take action:

    What to do in an emergency.

    Locate missing persons abroad.

    Replace lost or stolen passports abroad.

    of Consular Affairs provides detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad. U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad.des detailed destination-specific travel and risk information to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe provide services that support the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad.

  • U. S Visas

    What is a U.S. Visa?

    A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to travel to the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa. Visas are placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.

    Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The visa section of this website contains information on U.S. visas for foreign citizens seeking to travel to the United States.

    (Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the country they wish to visit. When planning travel abroad, learn about visa requirements by country, on the country information page of the International Travel Section of this website).

    More Information about Visas

    Find out what visa type is appropriate for you

    The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

    Please visit our Visa Wizard to find out what visa type is appropriate for you. We have a complete list of Visa Categories on this website along with a helpful glossary of terms used in the application process.

    You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions, or find information about the Visa Waiver Program.

  • PASSPORT INFORMATION

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    Apply in Person for a Passport

    Apply in person if you respond "Yes" to at least one of the following statements:

    • I am applying for my first U.S. passport.
    • I am applying with my child who is under age 16.
    • My most recent U.S. passport was issued when I was under age 16.
    • My most recent U.S. passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.

    My most recent U.S. passport was issued more than 15 years ago. 

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    Already Have a Passport

    If you already have a passport, you may be eligible to renew it. You can also correct information in your passport or report it lost or stolen.

    Apply in Person: If you already have a passport but you are not eligible to renew it, you must apply in person.  

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    Get My Passport Fast

    • We offer four types of service:
    • Consider the total time it will take to get a passport, including mailing times, when booking your international travel.
    • *Restrictions apply for Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. You must also have an appointment for these services.
    • Use our Form Filler tool to fill out your form online. Print the form at home to save time and reduce errors caused by handwriting.
    • Expand the options below to learn more about the four types of service we offer.

     

    • Travel in Less Than 3 DaysEmergency

     

     

    • Travel in Less Than 2-3 WeeksUrgent

     

     

     

     

     

    • Travel in Less Than 8 WeeksExpedited

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • Travel in 8 Weeks or MoreRoutine

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Contacting Us If You Have Urgent Travel

    We encourage customers who have already applied to check their application status online and sign up for updates via email. How our contact center can help you depends on your travel date, and if you have applied or not yet applied...

    [READ MORE]

    Traveling in Less Than 2-3 Weeks

    Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center

     

    Traveling in Less Than 8 Weeks

    Expedite a First-Time Application or a Child's Application

     

     

    Expedite a Renewal or Name Change by Mail

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

     

     

    Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    I need my passport sooner than I thought. What should I do?

     

     

    What are passport expeditors and courier companies?

     

    Last Updated: February 12, 2024 

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    Travel Advisory Levels

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