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The United States government is tightening immigration controls and warns that those who have an expired passport or have not completed its renewal could be prevented from leaving or entering the country. The document’s validity becomes a central requirement in a context of greater demands for travel.
Authorities stress that the passport is essential for any international trip and that, if it is expired or in the process of renewal, it automatically loses validity. This can leave thousands of people unable to fly if they do not complete the process in time.
Why will the U.S. prohibit leaving and entering with an expired passport
The valid U.S. passport is the key document for crossing borders. Without it, it is not possible to board international flights or complete immigration checks.
Authorities explain that travel with expired passports is not allowed, even if the expiration date is recent. In addition, when a person begins the renewal process, the previous document is invalidated and can no longer be used.
This means that those who have delayed the process are automatically left out of the international travel system until they have a new valid document.
How to renew the passport and avoid travel restrictions?
The Government allows you to renew the passport online in certain cases, provided specific conditions are met. The document must have been valid for 10 years and must not have expired more than five years ago.
It is also required that the person has no changes in their personal information and does not have any planned trips within the next six weeks, since the standard process is not immediate.
Requirements for renewal
- Be over 25 years old
- Complete the application in person
- Have the current passport in good condition
- Have not reported the document as lost or stolen
To start the renewal application, a digital photo, full personal information, and a payment method are also needed. The base cost is u$s 130 for the booklet, with additional charges if other formats or faster shipping are requested.
The mistakes that can keep you from traveling even if you start the process
One of the main problems detected is the use of unofficial sites that promise to speed up the process. Authorities warn that these services are not authorized and can cause fraud or delays.
It is also common for applications to be rejected because of errors in the information or failing to complete the process in person, since third parties are not allowed to do it on behalf of the applicant.
Most common mistakes that cause delays
- Entering incorrect or incomplete data
- Not responding to requests for additional information
- Using websites that do not end in “.gov”
- Trying to have a third party handle the application
Also, if the agency requires additional information and there is no response within the established period, the process can be canceled. In that case, the person will have to start the renewal again, which can further extend the timeframes and affect any travel plans.