U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad

businesstraveler · 05-25-2002, 06:48 PM

http://travel.state.gov/passport_pressrelease.html

For Immediate Release
April 2, 2002

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad

All passports, except those required for urgent travel, will be issued in the United States using the new more secure photo-digitized imaging system.

Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling abroad, who require issuance of a U.S. passport, will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport. It incorporates a digitized image with other enhanced security features. Because this technology is not available at U.S. embassies and consulates, overseas passport issuance is being transferred to the National Passport Processing Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Travel documents in the post-September 11 world have become even more important. The new passport has many features that make it one of the most secure travel documents produced anywhere in the world. Getting these more secure passports into circulation will help minimize the misuse of American passports by criminals, terrorists, and others.

This new procedure will increase processing time at U.S. embassies and consulates, but the Department is committed to ensuring that American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner. American citizens overseas are encouraged to apply early for renewal of expiring passports.

U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports that are needed for urgent travel. However, such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange, at no additional cost, their limited-validity passports for a full-validity digitized passports upon completion of their urgent travel.

Information on applying for a U.S. passport, passport application forms and requirements, and other travel-related information can be accessed through the Department of State’s web site at: http://travel.state.gov.

dbaker · 05-25-2002, 07:26 PM

Seems like a conflicting marketing fluff article to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by businesstraveler

U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad

Quote:

Originally Posted by businesstraveler

U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports

Ooookay.

businesstraveler · 05-26-2002, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbaker

Seems like a conflicting marketing fluff article to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by businesstraveler

U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad

Quote:

Originally Posted by businesstraveler

U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports

Ooookay.

"U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports that are needed for urgent travel. However, such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange, at no additional cost, their limited-validity passports for a full-validity digitized passports upon completion of their urgent travel. "

dbaker · 05-26-2002, 09:04 PM

Yes, that is the way that they've always worked. Passports issued at a US embassy are only valid for a year from the date of issue and are similarly restricted.

I'm not saying that there's no change, but clearly a US embassy can still issue you a passport and it hasn't been eliminated as the headline might suggest.

daa · 05-26-2002, 10:19 PM

not so , overseas embassy's could issue full term renewals (10yr) , a pilot i know rewened in aukland in early april, because he could do it in person vs sending his passport in by mail ( which is a pain if you fly overseas ever 6-10 days)

05-25-2002, 06:48 PM	#1
businesstraveler Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: BOS Posts: 57	U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad http://travel.state.gov/passport_pressrelease.html For Immediate Release April 2, 2002 STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad All passports, except those required for urgent travel, will be issued in the United States using the new more secure photo-digitized imaging system. Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling abroad, who require issuance of a U.S. passport, will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport. It incorporates a digitized image with other enhanced security features. Because this technology is not available at U.S. embassies and consulates, overseas passport issuance is being transferred to the National Passport Processing Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Travel documents in the post-September 11 world have become even more important. The new passport has many features that make it one of the most secure travel documents produced anywhere in the world. Getting these more secure passports into circulation will help minimize the misuse of American passports by criminals, terrorists, and others. This new procedure will increase processing time at U.S. embassies and consulates, but the Department is committed to ensuring that American citizens receive secure documents in a timely manner. American citizens overseas are encouraged to apply early for renewal of expiring passports. U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to issue passports that are needed for urgent travel. However, such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange, at no additional cost, their limited-validity passports for a full-validity digitized passports upon completion of their urgent travel. Information on applying for a U.S. passport, passport application forms and requirements, and other travel-related information can be accessed through the Department of State’s web site at: http://travel.state.gov. __________________

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05-26-2002, 09:04 PM	#4
dbaker Senior Member ITYT Captain Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IAH/HOU Posts: 2,354	Yes, that is the way that they've always worked. Passports issued at a US embassy are only valid for a year from the date of issue and are similarly restricted. I'm not saying that there's no change, but clearly a US embassy can still issue you a passport and it hasn't been eliminated as the headline might suggest.

05-26-2002, 10:19 PM	#5
daa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: DEN Posts: 110	not so , overseas embassy's could issue full term renewals (10yr) , a pilot i know rewened in aukland in early april, because he could do it in person vs sending his passport in by mail ( which is a pain if you fly overseas ever 6-10 days)