If you need a passport quickly, this service may be for you
If you need a U.S. passport quickly, the U.S. State Department's passport processing wait times might not work for you, prompting you to consider alternatives to traditional passport services.
If you are in urgent need of a passport for an upcoming international trip and are willing to shell out some serious cash, CIBTvisas is one option for travelers.
Here's how that company's service compares to passport services from the U.S. government.
What is CIBTvisas?
A private company that works with the State Department, CIBTvisas handles the logistical legwork of renewing or applying for a U.S. passport by submitting materials on customers' behalf through direct communication to the agency.
"We handle the submission process end-to-end and eliminate the need for you to visit, communicate, or correspond directly with the Department of State," per the company. Depending on availability, CIBTvisas can secure passports for consumers in an expedited time frame, ranging from as quickly as one day to nine weeks, based on the urgency of the request.
processing times
As of October, the State Department estimates eight to 11 weeks for both new passports and renewals; this marks the first decrease in processing times since March when they quoted 10 to 13 weeks. Expedited service is currently expected within five to seven weeks, down from seven to nine weeks. Since quoted processing times do not include mail delays, you probably want to factor in an additional two weeks before you receive your new passport.
For urgent international travel, the State Department offers limited in-person appointments for emergency and non-emergency travel:
- For emergency circumstances — such as a death — requiring travel within 72 hours or three business days, you must provide proof of a qualifying incident.
- For non-emergency travel within 14 days, or if you need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days, you must provide proof of travel.
Conversely, CIBTvisas says it can process expedited passport requests in one to three days via phone as long as the traveler's departure is scheduled within two weeks. Need a passport renewed faster? Standard processing through this service takes three weeks for renewals.
Costs
Fees vary slightly between first-time passport holders and renewals. Still, most adults age 18 and older can expect to pay $130 for routine service from the State Department plus an additional $60 for expedited service.
Passport cards through the State Department are much cheaper as they only permit land and sea entry to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Overall, the fees for the same services through CIBTvisas are much greater, ranging from $199-$599 depending on the type of passport request and the urgency of the need. Passport services guaranteed within nine weeks cost $199, within two weeks cost $499 and within one week or less cost $599, plus nonrefundable service fees. Premium services — which would be passports processed within one day to less than a week — can go up to $999.
How the application process works
Unlike passport applications through the State Department, which must be submitted via mail or in person at passport acceptance fairs across the country, CIBTvisas passport services are available online and by phone.
Although the State Department temporarily maintained a pilot program for Americans to renew their passports online, the online portal has been closed since March.
The application process is similar between both organizations. Through the State Department, travelers must complete a form and send it with evidence of U.S. citizenship, a government-issued photo identification document, a photo and the aforementioned relevant fees. It also provides a calculator to help you figure out your passport renewal options and cost.
Similarly, travelers using CIBTvisas start the process online, where they complete a list of documents and forms and submit processing fees. They promise to provide step-by-step instructions to facilitate this process and provide an application kit to help.
A spokesperson for the company said:
"CIBTvisas's Application Kit provides travelers with a summary of the Passport Renewal service, important information, a list of the personal documents necessary to provide, step-by-step instructions for completing a passport order, as well as the required passport application forms the traveler will need to fill out. Once a traveler has completed all of the steps outlined in their passport application kit, they need to submit the required personal documents to the CIBTvisas location listed in the CIBTvisas Application Kit. CIBTvisas will then begin processing the passport order ... [and will] email the traveler a summary of their passport order and will contact them if additional information is required."
CIBTvisas will then submit everything on the applicant's behalf to the State Department, "eliminating the need for you to visit, communicate and correspond directly with the Department of State."
Children's passports
CIBTvisas is only available for travelers attempting to renew their U.S. passport prior to expiration or a passport that has expired within five years. Travelers with passports that expired five-plus years ago must apply for a new passport, along with travelers under age 16.
Likewise, the State Department requires children under age 16 to apply for their passports in person with the applicant and parent or guardian.
"A child's application must be submitted in person at a passport agency or an acceptance facility," per the State Department.
Bottom line
Though passport processing times have slightly decreased at the State Department, travelers with urgent passport needs have another option in CIBTvisas — if they're willing to pay for it.
Otherwise, the agency advises travelers to submit their passports for renewal within six to nine months of renewal.
Related reading:
- Here's how and when to renew your passport according to the US State Dept.
- Top credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- Why you should renew your child's 5-year passport after 4 years
- Passport expiring soon? Visit these countries within your 3-month renewal deadline
- Guide to the 6-month passport rule — what is it?
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