US will not be issuing new passport

[Lazybones18 261]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-passport-emergencies/index.html

 

strange. makes no sense. 

 

having a passport is essential in my opinion... 

[geowrian 22,337]

The rational provided is that international travel is not advised at this time, per the global DOS level 4  travel advisory. Presumably it's to decrease mobility of people, and therefore the virus.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html

 

I'm not sure I would call having a passport "essential" (barring emergencies, which is still be serviced). Less than half of all Americans even have one, let alone use one regularly.

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 hour ago, Lazybones18 said:

having a passport is essential in my opinion... 

Which is one reason I have two US passports.

 

But I'm not traveling by air right now.

Edited May 20, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[Lazybones18 261]

17 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Which is one reason I have two US passports.

 

But I'm not traveling by air right now.

Lol how do u get 2 USA passports ? 

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 hour ago, Lazybones18 said:

Lol how do u get 2 USA passports ? 

22 CFR 51.2.B allows additional 4 year passports to be issued.  Typically people that either travel where having certain stamps will disallow you from entering another country.   Think Israel vs Arab countries before Israel went stampless.  My issue is either needing to send my passport out for visa stamps for business or journalism visa and it taking 6 weeks to get back. 

 

Nowadays I use that one for going to the Philippines or other places that are stamp happy.  My 10 year I keep all of my 10 year and "unicorn" visas in.  Back in the days where they put extension pages in, I would go thru a passport book in 3 to 5 years anyhow.

 

Just make sure you enter and leave the US on the same one.   And yes you can have both in Global Entry/ Nexus !

[ProbeGT 47]

9 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

22 CFR 51.2.B allows additional 4 year passports to be issued.  Typically people that either travel where having certain stamps will disallow you from entering another country.   Think Israel vs Arab countries before Israel went stampless.  My issue is either needing to send my passport out for visa stamps for business or journalism visa and it taking 6 weeks to get back. 

 

Nowadays I use that one for going to the Philippines or other places that are stamp happy.  My 10 year I keep all of my 10 year and "unicorn" visas in.  Back in the days where they put extension pages in, I would go thru a passport book in 3 to 5 years anyhow.

 

Just make sure you enter and leave the US on the same one.   And yes you can have both in Global Entry/ Nexus !

This is interesting.  Is there a special form for this?  Do you simply write "requesting second passport due to lengthy visa processing times" (or something to that effect)?

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 hour ago, ProbeGT said:

This is interesting.  Is there a special form for this?  Do you simply write "requesting second passport due to lengthy visa processing times" (or something to that effect)?

Yes,  essentially that is all that is needed.    This is the actual letter I use:

 

I, xx, am the bearer or valid US Passport number xxx issued on May 24, 2017.

 

In view of the time delay required to obtain Visas for my current (and future) needs and the restrictive entry requirements between certain Middle Eastern Countries, it is impossible for me to obtain all necessary Visas to complete my trips using one passport. I am requesting the issuance of a second passport to facilitate my travel. I understand that this passport will be time limited.

 

Should either passport be lost or stolen, I will report the circumstances immediately to the Passport Agency, or if abroad to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate General. I understand that both passports must be submitted for inspection or cancellation when I request any passport service in the future.

 

I am requesting that my application for passport be expedited, as I will also be required to apply for visas to the following countries:

India

China - Business

Kazakhstan

UAE

Brazil

Nepal

 

In addition I am traveling to Hong Kong, Philippines and Panama.

 

Thank you for the issuance of a second passport.  If there is anything I can do to assist you in the making of this decision, Please call me at xx

 

 

Edited May 20, 2020 by Paul & Mary

[little immigrant 801]

12 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Yes,  essentially that is all that is needed.    This is the actual letter I use:

 

I, xx, am the bearer or valid US Passport number xxx issued on May 24, 2017.

 

In view of the time delay required to obtain Visas for my current (and future) needs and the restrictive entry requirements between certain Middle Eastern Countries, it is impossible for me to obtain all necessary Visas to complete my trips using one passport. I am requesting the issuance of a second passport to facilitate my travel. I understand that this passport will be time limited.

 

Should either passport be lost or stolen, I will report the circumstances immediately to the Passport Agency, or if abroad to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate General. I understand that both passports must be submitted for inspection or cancellation when I request any passport service in the future.

 

I am requesting that my application for passport be expedited, as I will also be required to apply for visas to the following countries:

India

China - Business

Kazakhstan

UAE

Brazil

Nepal

 

In addition I am traveling to Hong Kong, Philippines and Panama.

 

Thank you for the issuance of a second passport.  If there is anything I can do to assist you in the making of this decision, Please call me at xx

 

 

I had no idea you can have up to 4 passports. I have only one and considering it's proof of citizenship (I'm naturalized) it's a very important piece of documentation for me. I understand that even an expired passport is proof of citizenship however what if lost mine (that has actually already happened but my husband found it in between the couch cushions 😂)? I think this is very good to know just in case I needed to have a back up. 

 

Also did they ever call you before issuing a second passport? And how long are they valid for? 

Edited May 20, 2020 by little immigrant

[Just Paul 4,595]

1 minute ago, little immigrant said:

Also did they ever call you before issuing a second passport? 

A decade ago I'd have to wait extra time to get it. But then I started going directly to US Passport office in LA and now the Western Passport Center in Tucson and got ot in a few hours.  I'm told the mail in times are faster now (err if they were open).   Having it as an extra travel document is great!

 

The only issues I have had is making sure I leave and enter the US on the SAME one (I usually don't take both) and that I've updated the airline records.  I also have Hong Kong e-Channel on my 10 year passport and for a few years they would question me if I used the 4 year (Manafort  ) passport in the regular visitor lanes.  That seems to be fixed or my file noted.  Ironically Cathay Pacific allows me to list two passports and my Mexican green card.

 

You can have the extra passports listed in Global Entry / Nexus / Sentri too.

 

Next year is my 4 year renewal and it isn't as full since I haven't been flying (oh and working) since the first week of March.  It is very sad . . . and Mary doesn't have any new country stamps, which is one reason she married me

[stech786 236]

This article was posted on Apr 3rd. Not much meaning now

 

does this mean they will stop issuing visas to stop spread the virus? I know there is a ban in placed

Edited May 21, 2020 by stech786

[milimelo 4,479]

23 minutes ago, stech786 said:

This article was posted on Apr 3rd. Not much meaning now

 

does this mean they will stop issuing visas to stop spread the virus? I know there is a ban in placed

But you’re obviously missing that all regular visa services have been suspended since mid-late March. 

[stech786 236]

2 hours ago, milimelo said:

But you’re obviously missing that all regular visa services have been suspended since mid-late March. 

I know that’s what I said.

[ProbeGT 47]

On 5/20/2020 at 12:48 PM, Paul & Mary said:

Yes,  essentially that is all that is needed.    This is the actual letter I use:

 

I, xx, am the bearer or valid US Passport number xxx issued on May 24, 2017.

 

In view of the time delay required to obtain Visas for my current (and future) needs and the restrictive entry requirements between certain Middle Eastern Countries, it is impossible for me to obtain all necessary Visas to complete my trips using one passport. I am requesting the issuance of a second passport to facilitate my travel. I understand that this passport will be time limited.

 

Should either passport be lost or stolen, I will report the circumstances immediately to the Passport Agency, or if abroad to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate General. I understand that both passports must be submitted for inspection or cancellation when I request any passport service in the future.

 

I am requesting that my application for passport be expedited, as I will also be required to apply for visas to the following countries:

India

China - Business

Kazakhstan

UAE

Brazil

Nepal

 

In addition I am traveling to Hong Kong, Philippines and Panama.

 

Thank you for the issuance of a second passport.  If there is anything I can do to assist you in the making of this decision, Please call me at xx

 

 

Thanks, this is very helpful.  What are the time limitations on the other passport?  5 years?, 1 year?  I have heard a variety of numbers.

[Just Paul 4,595]

2 minutes ago, ProbeGT said:

Thanks, this is very helpful.  What are the time limitations on the other passport?  5 years?, 1 year?  I have heard a variety of numbers.

It is classified as a limited passport.  I think their policy is upto 4 years.  My reading of the CFR is it can be any length they want. My last few have been 4 years.  I know somewhere along the line I had a two year one.  An official passport and diplomatic passport is 5 years. 

 

Later when you do the 10 year renewal you need to bring in all the expired passports with you.  When I did my last one in 2017 I had four passports with me.  The unexpired 10 year, an unexpired 4 year, and 2 expired passports. 

 

When I request a new short term use one (you mark it as new, not considered a renewal), they have never asked to see the old ones.  Of course I bring them along.

 

Since I have had the extra passport I have always done the transactions in person.

[ProbeGT 47]

Some countries have super long visa processing times, even for US citizens, and I always wondered how one could travel in such situations.  This is very helpful, thanks!

 

Once you have more than one, do you treat one as your "primary", or do you use whichever works better given your situation? 

Edited May 21, 2020 by ProbeGT
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