Traveling overseas? It is necessary to
know general passport, visa, and health requirements for your
destination country. Make sure you get all
the information you need well in advance of your trip.
USA
Passport Information
New
Application for a U.S. Passport
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to
one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities (Federal, state
and probate courts,
post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and
municipal offices) located
throughout
the United States with two passport sized photographs of yourself,
proof of U.S.
citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification (a
driver’s license).
You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S.
passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is
not
in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was
issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was
issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S.
passport has been lost or stolen.
more info
Renewal
of a U.S. Passport
You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to
submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past
15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the
same name, or can legally document your name change. You can get a
passport renewal application form
online.
If your passport has been altered or damaged, you must apply in person.
more info
As of
January 8, 2007,
passports will be required for all U.S. citizens
traveling to or from the United States to or from
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
As of
January 1, 2008,
passports will be required for all U.S. citizens
traveling to or from the United States, regardless
of destination.
For more information on travel requirements, contact the
U.S. embassies
of the countries you're visiting.
Canada
Passport Information
You should have a valid Canadian passport for
all
trips outside Canada. Some countries do not require a
passport for entry but do require photographic identification (such as
a driver’s licence) as well as proof of Canadian citizenship
(such as a birth certificate or citizenship card). Other
countries require that your passport be valid for six months beyond
your date of entry.
Check the
Country Travel Report for your
destination to establish
whether the six-month rule applies.
Complete the emergency contact information on page 4 when you receive
your new passport. Passport Canada recommends that you provide the name
of someone who would not normally accompany you.
Photocopy the identification page of your passport and carry this
separate from your passport while abroad. Also leave one photocopy at
home.
Passport Canada has launched an initiative called
passport on-line.
This initiative allows Canadians 16 years of age and older living in
Canada to fill in the adult passport application electronically.
Passport Canada has created electronic forms in PDF format
that, once printed, can be completed by hand or typed. If an
application for a new passport or travel document is made because a
passport or travel document has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
or is inaccessible, you must include in the application form a
completed "Statutory Declaration" (
PPTC 203).
To avoid delays and other problems that will hinder their return to
Canada, Canadian citizens are strongly advised to obtain a Canadian
passport prior to initiating international travel and to use their
Canadian passport at all times for international travel. Before
attempting return travel to Canada, Canadian citizens who do not hold a
valid Canadian passport should contact the nearest
Canadian government
office abroad to apply for one.
UK Passport Information
If you live in the UK you can use the
Identity
and Passport Service web site for all your UK passport
information and needs. If you do not live in the UK
you can apply through the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office or
contact your
nearest
embassy, consulate or high commission.
Original documents are needed that prove you are British. Copies will
not be accepted. Please note that a birth certificate
is not absolute proof of identity, and even if you were born in the UK
you may be asked to see further documents.
You can apply to
renew
a passport if: your last passport was a standard adult 10-year passport
and you still have your last passport and your passport is not damaged
and you do not need to change your name or national status and your
passport is full or it has run out or it will run out within the next
nine months.
If you do not live in the UK you can apply in person to renew your
passport whilst visiting the UK.You can renew a passport up to
nine months
before it runs out. If you do this we will put a credit on your new
passport for the unused time (in whole months) that was left on your
old passport the day the new one was issued.
One standard form is used for all types of individual applications.
Collect it from selected
Post Office branches and
WorldChoice travel agents, or fill
in the
online
application form request and we will send you a form in the
post.
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