My passport is expiring in two months. It’s still a valid passport, right?

Your passport might not have expired yet, but many countries around the world insist that you have at least three to six months validity remaining on your passport. This is commonly referred to as the “six month rule.” Some countries enforce this rule by requiring that you have at least six months validity on your passport when you enter the country, and others want to see that you will still have at least six months left at the time you are scheduled to leave.

Unfortunately, travelers get caught out by the six month rule every day. One Californian couple recently was featured on the evening news with their tale. They were denied boarding of their flight to France because their passports had less than six months validity remaining. They had to delay their trip until they could renew their passports, while the 8 friends they were traveling with went on without them.

If you’re traveling soon, you can check whether your destination country enforces the six month rule by visiting the State Department’s Country Specific Information website.

My passport is out of blank pages. Is it still valid?

It’s a lot of fun to collect passport stamps… until the day you discover that your passport has run out of blank pages.   Your passport contains two types of blank pages. The ones at the back of the book, marked “Endorsements,” are meant for the use of the US State Department only. All the other blank pages are labeled “Visas.” These are the pages that are used for travel visas and entry and exit stamps.

As a rule of thumb, you’ll need at least one blank visa page in your passport for every country you will visit. If you need to get a travel visa for your destination, you should have two blank pages, one for the visa and one for your entry and exit stamps.

If you run out of blank pages, your passport will need to be renewed in order to be fully valid for travel.

I’ve changed my name. Can I still travel with my valid passport that shows my old name?

If you’ve legally changed your name, you should update the name on your current valid passport. For passports that were issued less than one year ago, you can use the special “re-application” name change procedure. Passports that were issued more than one year ago need to be renewed to change the name.

However, if you have to travel immediately after changing your name — for instance, if you’ve just gotten married and are planning an international honeymoon — you can still travel with the passport showing your old name. Just make sure that your plane tickets are booked with the same name shown on your passport, and get a passport with your new name after you get home!

My valid passport has been damaged. Can I use it for travel?

Passports that have seen better days can cause serious problems for travelers. Even minor damage, like mildew spots or threads hanging from the cover, can be cause for an airline to refuse to let you board! This recently happened to comedian Jordan Peele. A Transportation Security Administration agent turned him around and did not allow him to board his flight to London for his honeymoon because his passport was damaged.

Serious damage to your passport, like a torn or missing cover, ripped pages, or unauthorized markings on the information page, automatically makes your passport invalid, even if you still have lots of time left before it expires.  Badly damaged passports have to be replaced using the mutilated passport procedure. But if your passport is just starting to look shabby, it’s a good idea to renew it so you’ll have a fresh, crisp book that will be accepted everywhere.

Our Top Tips to Keep Your Valid Passport Ready for Travel

• Keep an eye on your passport’s expiration date, and renew it at least six months before it expires.
• Flip through your passport and make sure you have plenty of blank pages.
• Frequent flyer? You can request a large 52-page book when you renew. These are issued at no additional fee, at government discretion.
• Protect your passport from damage by keeping it inside a protective case.

If you need to renew or replace your passport for any reason, G3passports.com is here to help!

The post How to Check if a Passport is Valid For Travel appeared first on G3Passports.

Today we’ll review your best options to get the perfect passport photo. We will also review the items that you aren’t allowed to wear in your passport photo. We’ll also share our recommendations for the kind of attire that will help you get the best photo for your new passport.

Mobile Apps to Get the Perfect Passport Photo

These Items Will Get Your Passport Photo Rejected

There are some things you might wear in your passport photo that you’ll regret in years to come. That too-trendy haircut or neon green sweatshirt might be embarrassing someday, but they don’t violate State Department rules. But there are some things that you are absolutely forbidden to wear in your passport photo. Wearing any of the items listed below can cause your passport photo to be rejected, and your passport won’t be issued until you provide a photo that meets government standards.

Glasses

The State Department changed their rules last fall, and you may no longer wear any type of glasses in your passport photo. Take your glasses off before the camera snaps!

Uniforms

All types of uniforms are forbidden in the photo you submit for your passport. No military uniforms, flight crew uniforms, or professional uniforms can be worn. You’ll need to wear regular street clothes in your photo.

Hats and Headgear

No hats are allowed in passport photos unless it is religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke that you wear every day. If you do wear religious headgear, you’ll need to make sure that it isn’t covering your face at all. For example, you may wear a hijab scarf, but not a niqab that covers most of your face. You’ll also need to submit a letter explaining that you wear the item for religious reasons every day.

Hair That Covers Your Face

When you style your hair for your passport photo shoot, make sure that your entire face is visible. Don’t let your hair drape over your face and obscure your eyes. If you have very long bangs that cover your eyebrows, you should pin them back with bobby pins. It’s best if your ears show, as well, but that won’t cause your photo to be rejected.

Headbands and Large Hair Accessories

Don’t wear headbands or any bulky hair accessories when you go to get your passport photo. We’ve seen too many photos rejected because the applicants were wearing a headband. This rule even applies to those cute baby headbands that so many parents like to put on their infant daughters! You should also avoid any large hair clips, bows, “scrunchies” or ribbons. If you need to pull your hair back, opt for bobby pins or thin ponytail holders.

Wear This, Not That

Over the years, we’ve learned that some kinds of outfits look better in passport photos than others. Below, we’ve listed some of our “best practices” for passport pictures. The suggestions we’ve listed below are not State Department rules, they’re just some guidelines to help you choose the best outfit to wear when you get a photo taken for your passport.

Wear a Collared Shirt, Not a Tank Top

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing clothes for your photo is that the picture will be cropped when it is printed on your passport. All that will be visible is your face and the area around your collarbone. That’s why we think it’s best to wear a collared shirt or a top with a high neckline. We’ve seen photos in which the applicant wore a tank top or a shirt with a wide v-neck, and on the passport, it looks like they aren’t wearing any clothes at all!

Wear a Color Other Than White

Your passport photo must have a plain white background, so if you wear a white shirt, it may blend into the background and leave you looking like a floating head.

Go For Classic, Not Trendy

You’re going to have your new passport for ten years, and ten years is a long time when it comes to fashion trends! It’s best to opt for clothing, hair, and makeup that is relatively neutral and timeless. Otherwise, your passport might start looking dated long before it expires.

What’s most important, though, is that you choose an outfit that makes you feel confident. As long as you aren’t wearing glasses, headgear, uniforms, or hair in your face, your passport picture will be just fine!

The post What Should Be Worn in a Passport Photo? appeared first on G3Passports.

To enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, all you have to do is visit the STEP website. There, you will enter basic information about yourself, your trip, and your emergency contact people.  You’ll have the choice of registering just one trip, or creating an account so you can easily register future trips.

Who is eligible for STEP?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is open to all US citizens. It can be used whether you are just making a short international trip or living overseas.

What are the benefits of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program?

Once upon a time, if you wanted to register your trip with the State Department, you had two options. You could go in person to the nearest US Embassy or US Consulate General when you arrived at your destination, or you could send your information to the Embassy by mail in advance of your trip. Neither choice was particularly quick or convenient. The modern version of STEP allows you to register online in minutes. You can even register from your smartphone while you wait to board your flight!

Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll get the following benefits:

Travel Warnings and Alerts

The US State Department is constantly monitoring conditions around the world. If there are any events that could put travelers in danger, they will publish an official Travel Warning or Travel Alert. Travel Alerts are typically issued for short-term events, like strikes or disease outbreaks, while Travel Warnings are for more serious, long-term situations like civil war or extremely high crime rates.

When you enroll in STEP, the State Department will email you any active Travel Alerts or Travel Warnings for your destination. They’ll also let you know if a Travel Alert or Warning has been lifted.

Emergency Services from the US Embassy

You’ve made careful plans so that your trip will be perfect… but unforeseen events can still happen. Do you know what you would do if an earthquake shakes up your wine tour of Italy, or a hurricane crashes your beach vacation in Mexico?

One of the most important roles of US Embassies and Consulates is to provide assistance to US citizens. That means that if your trip is interrupted by a natural disaster or political turmoil, they can help with emergency accommodations or evacuation. But they won’t know to help you if they don’t know you’re there! If you have enrolled in STEP, the Embassy will have you on the list of citizens that they need to make sure are safe.

Your enrollment in STEP will also make it easier for your family back home to check on your safety with the State Department if they can’t contact you directly.

STEP can also help if you have a personal emergency, like a medical crisis or an arrest. You will already have the contact information for the nearest US Consulate so you can quickly get assistance.

Help in Case of an Emergency Back Home

Imagine you’re on a business trip in Beijing, and back home, your wife is in a car accident and is hospitalized. Your mother-in-law is trying to get in touch with you, but your cell phone doesn’t work in China, and she doesn’t know what hotel you are in. If you are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, your family will be able to get the Embassy’s help to contact you.

Got a group? Get STEP.

STEP is great for individual travelers, but the State Department has also made it easy for you to register groups of travelers. You can register yourself as the point of contact for a group, and add as many travelers as you like. This is very useful if you are in charge of a school group or other tour. It can also be used to manage STEP enrollments for the travelers from your corporation. You could even use it to register all of the members of your family before your next big family vacation!

The post STEP Up and Register With the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program appeared first on G3Passports.

What is a Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

As part of the process to get your first passport, replace your lost passport, or get a passport for your child, you will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility.  There you will have your passport application reviewed by a trained government employee. These Passport Acceptance Facilities are often located in Post Offices or courthouses, and sometimes in other government buildings like public libraries.

At the Passport Acceptance Facility, the Passport Acceptance Agent will check that you have completed your passport application correctly and supplied the right supporting documentation. They will also verify your identity by looking at your current driver’s license or other official ID. Finally, they will seal your passport application documents into an envelope that may only be opened by State Department personnel. This process is called “execution.”

The US State Department sets the fee for this service. For many years, the Passport Acceptance Agent fee was $25, but it will soon increase to $35.

Why has the government increased the Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

The US State Department first proposed the $10 increase in execution fees for passports in 2016. They periodically compile a report called a “Cost of Service Model.” The most recent Cost of Service Model showed that it was costing more in labor and overhead to provide the Passport Acceptance service. The $10 fee increase is meant to cover the expense of providing this service, not to provide a profit.

What types of passport service require a Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

You will need to visit a Passport Acceptance Facility and pay the Passport Acceptance Agent fee if you are applying for any of these types of passport service:

• New Adult Passport – This service is for travelers age 16 or over, who either have never been issued a passport as an adult, or whose most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• Minor Passport – Travelers under age 16 must use the minor passport procedure and visit a Passport Acceptance Agent, whether or not they have been previously issued a passport.
• Passport Replacement – If you need to replace a lost passport or a stolen passport, or if your current passport has been badly damaged, you’ll need to go to a Passport Acceptance Facility as part of the replacement process.

My whole family needs new passports. Do we each have to pay the Passport Acceptance Agent fee?

Yes, the Passport Acceptance Agent fee is charged for each traveler, not per family. That means that if you are visiting the Passport Acceptance Facility because you and your wife and three young children all need new passports, you will be charged five Passport Acceptance Agent fees, one for each of you.

Can I go to the Passport Acceptance Agent now to beat the fee increase, and send my passport application to G3 later?

It’s definitely a good idea to have your passport applications executed now, before the fee increases! However, you must send your sealed envelope with the passport application to G3 as soon as it is executed. Your passport application must be submitted to the Passport Agency within 5 business days of your visit to the Passport Acceptance Agent. If you wait too long to send it to G3, you will have to go back to the Passport Acceptance Facility and have your application re-executed… and you’ll have to pay the fee again!

The post Passport Acceptance Agent Fees to Rise by $10 appeared first on G3Passports.

Your very first step will be to get your passport out. This in itself is an important passport check! Too many people discover at the last moment that they can’t find their passport.

Do you have your passport in hand? Great! Let’s get started.

Passport Check 1: When will your passport expire?

Start your passport check on the page with your photo. Check the expiration date of your passport. You’ll want to make sure it isn’t expired already, of course! But how much validity does it have left? Some countries want you to have a minimum of six months validity on your passport. This is known as the “six month rule.” There are also countries that have different passport validity requirements. For instance, most of the countries in Europe require that your passport be valid for at least three months. If your passport is expiring in the next few months, check to see if your destination requires you to have a certain minimum validity.

Passport Check 2: Is your passport signed?

While you are on the page with your photo, check and make sure your passport is signed. Your passport should be signed to be fully valid for travel. If it isn’t signed, use blue or black ink and sign it with your full name as printed in your passport.

Checking your child’s passport? Kids need their passports to be signed, too. If your child is too young to sign for herself, you can sign for her. Sign both her name and your name, such as “Amelia Jane Smith by John Robert Smith, father.”

Passport Check 3: Is your passport in good condition?

A worn-out or damaged passport doesn’t just look bad. It could be reason for you to be denied boarding of your flight, or turned away from your destination! Do a quick passport check to make sure your passport is in good shape. Inspect your passport closely and look for damage like:

• A loose or detached cover
• Torn or cut pages
• Water damage
• Any unauthorized marking

Passport Check 4: Does your passport have blank pages?

You will need to have at least one blank page marked “visas.” This will be used for your entry and exit stamps. Some countries require you to have more than one blank page for every visit.

Double check to make sure your blank pages say “visas.” The pages at the back of your passport are for US State Department use only.

Passport Check 5: Is this your passport?

Before you head out the door, it’s time for one last passport check. Open up your passport and make sure that the passport you grabbed is yours! Everyone’s passport looks the same on the outside. It would be easy enough to mix things up and head to the airport with your son’s passport instead of your own.

Don’t laugh, it happens more often than you think. There have been quite a few news stories of British travelers who have flown using the wrong passport, including at least two men who flew to Germany using their girlfriend’s passport instead of their own!

If you need a passport renewal or replacement of a lost or damaged passport in a hurry, G3 can help!

The post Traveling for the Holidays? Time for a Passport Check! appeared first on G3Passports.

What are the Enhanced Security Measures for US-Bound Travelers?

The Department of Homeland Security announced in June 2017 that new airport security measures would be required for all international flights that will land in the US. Airlines and airports were given several months to come in to compliance, with a deadline of October 28.

The enhanced security measures include:

• Increased use of bomb-sniffing dogs and other screening techniques
• Detailed screenings of electronic devices like tablets and laptops
• Security interviews of travelers conducted by airline staff

Where are the Increased Security Measures Being Implemented?

No matter where you board your flight to the US, you’ll encounter new security rules. Enhanced security protocols are now being used at every airport around the world that sends flights to the United States. That’s a total of 280 airports in 105 different countries!

What Does the Enhanced Security Mean for Travelers?

The biggest impact that these security upgrades will have on you as a traveler is that it may take more time to check in for your flight. Airlines are recommending that you arrive at the airport at least three hours before your flight.

When you go through baggage screening, you should expect that your electronic devices will receive extra scrutiny. It’s best to take your phone, laptop, tablet, digital camera, and other items out of your bag. Put them in a separate bin for screening, apart from your bags, shoes, and jacket.

After you clear that initial screening, you should go directly to your departure gate. It’s a good idea to get to your gate with plenty of time to spare, as you may need to go through a security interview with an airline staff member. One traveler told us about her recent experience with an enhanced security interview:

“At the departure gate for our flight back to the United States, my husband and I had our names called over the loudspeaker and were asked to come up to the gate desk. There, an English-speaking airline employee told us we needed to go through a security interview. First, she looked at our passports. She asked us how long we had spent in the country and what was the purpose of our visit. The agent also asked us what cities we had visited. She seemed surprised when I rattled off our detailed itinerary! We had our children with us, so she asked their names and made us confirm they are our kids. After we went back to our seats, we saw other travelers on our flights being called up for interviews, too.”

Other Airport Security Changes

One piece of good news is that the “laptop ban” has been lifted now that the enhanced security measures are in place. The “laptop ban” was put in place in late March, after US and UK intelligence agencies determined that explosives could easily be hidden in electronic devices. If you were on a flight to the US from one of ten airports in the Middle East or North Africa, you were not allowed to carry on any electronic item larger than a standard iPhone.

In the US, electronics have also been getting increased scrutiny by airport security. When you go through TSA security at a US airport, you now need to take all electronic items larger than a cellphone out of your bags. Your laptop, camera, tablet, and other gadgets need to go in their own bin for x-ray screening. But there’s more good news for some of you! If you are a member of Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, or other Trusted Traveler program, you can keep your devices inside your carry-on bags.

The post Enhanced Security Measures for US-Bound Flights appeared first on G3Passports.

What is REAL ID?

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, and created federal standards for the issuance of official identification cards like driver’s licenses. When the law is fully implemented, you will need to have an ID that meets REAL ID standards in order to enter Federal facilities, military bases, or nuclear power plants. Most importantly for  travelers, you will need a REAL ID in order to board any flight in the US, domestic or international.

When will REAL ID go into effect?

As of today – October 11, 2017 – only about half of US states and territories have complied with REAL ID standards for their driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards. The remainder of the states and territories had been given extensions, extra time to update their process of issuing ID cards. The big news is that all those extensions expired on October 10, 2017!

Does this mean that if your license isn’t a REAL ID, you won’t be able to board your domestic flight tomorrow? No. The Department of Homeland Security is giving a grace period to the non-compliant states. Until January 22, 2018, the REAL ID requirement won’t be enforced for TSA security at the airport. You can keep using your regular license until then.

Even on January 22, you are likely to be allowed to continue to use your current license, even if it isn’t REAL ID. All of the states whose extensions expired have applied for an additional extension. As of this writing, a new extension has already been granted to the State of Virginia. Virginians can now keep using their non-REAL ID licenses at the airport until October 10, 2018.

You can check the current status of your state below, to find out if your state has already started issuing REAL ID licenses.

My state issues REAL ID licenses. I have nothing to worry about, right?

Not so fast! If your driver’s license was issued several years ago, it might not actually be a REAL ID. You can check by looking for a gold star on your license. These are usually at the top right corner of your license. If you don’t have a star, you can renew your license to get a new one that will be REAL ID.

My state doesn’t issue REAL ID licenses. Is there anything else I can use as REAL ID?

Driver’s licenses aren’t the only form of REAL ID out there. You can also use your passport book or passport card as REAL ID. Other accepted identification documents include military ID cards (including military dependent cards), Global Entry or other Trusted Traveler cards, or an Enhanced Drivers License issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington.

State by State Review – Is Your State ID a REAL ID?

• Alabama issues REAL IDs
  
• Alaska does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• American Samoa does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Arizona issues REAL IDs
  
• Arkansas issues REAL IDs
  
• California does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Colorado issues REAL IDs
  
• Connecticut issues REAL IDs
  
• Delaware issues REAL IDs
  
• District of Columbia issues REAL IDs
• Florida issues REAL IDs
• Georgia issues REAL IDs
  
• Guam does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Hawaii issues REAL IDs
  
• Idaho does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Illinois does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Indiana issues REAL IDs
  
• Iowa issues REAL IDs
  
• Kansas issues REAL IDs
  
• Kentucky does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Louisiana does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Maine does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Maryland issues REAL IDs
  
• Massachusetts does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Michigan does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Minnesota does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Mississippi issues REAL IDs
• Missouri does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Montana does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Nebraska issues REAL IDs
  
• Nevada issues REAL IDs
  
• New Hampshire does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• New Jersey does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• New Mexico issues REAL IDs
  
• New York does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• North Carolina issues REAL IDs
  
• North Dakota does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Northern Marianas Islands does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Ohio issues REAL IDs
  
• Oklahoma does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Oregon does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Pennsylvania does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Puerto Rico does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Rhode Island does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• South Carolina does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• South Dakota issues REAL IDs
  
• Tennessee issues REAL IDs
  
• Texas issues REAL IDs
• Utah issues REAL IDs
  
• Vermont issues REAL IDs
  
• Virgin Islands does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Virginia does not issue REAL IDs, but has been granted an extension until October 10, 2018
  
• Washington does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• West Virginia issues REAL IDs
  
• Wisconsin issues REAL ID
• Wyoming issues REAL IDs
  

The post REAL ID: Identification Requirements Changing for Domestic Flights appeared first on G3Passports.

But not all birth certificates are acceptable proof of US citizenship to get a passport. Is your birth certificate the right kind?

Long Form Birth Certificates

Long form birth certificates are the gold standard for proof of US citizenship for passports. They may also be referred to as “official birth certificates” or “full size birth certificates.” The long form contains all the recorded details about your birth, including:

• Your full name
• Your date and time of birth
• Your precise place of birth (such as the hospital address)
• Your gender
• The name of the doctor or midwife who attended your birth
• Your parents’ full names, including your mother’s maiden name
• Your parents’ dates and places of birth

Long form birth certificates are issued by the Department of Vital Statistics in the state where you were born. Your official long form should bear a registration number and a seal. If you need to order a new copy of your birth certificate to get a passport, make sure to request a long form certificate!

Short Form Birth Certificates

There are many varieties of short form birth certificates, from ones that look very much like long form certificates to small cards the size of a driver’s license. In some states, such as Texas, short forms are the default form of birth certificate and are known as “standard size.” Short form birth certificates are also often called “abstracts,” because they only provide a portion of the information included on the long form. In essence, the short form serves as proof that a full birth certificate has been filed for you.

Most short form birth certificates can not be used to get a passport. In order to be used to get a US passport, your birth certificate must show your full name; gender; precise time, date, and location of birth; and your parents’ full names, dates of birth, and places of birth. Card-sized birth certificates can never be used to apply for a passport.

Hospital or Heirloom Birth Certificates

Many hospitals will prepare charming certificates for the parents of newborn babies to take home, often with baby’s tiny footprints inked on to them. Similarly, some states also offer “heirloom” birth certificates on special paper with decorative details. These certificates are suitable for framing or scrapbooking, but are not valid proof of US citizenship to get a passport.

Amended Birth Certificates for Adoptees

Were you adopted as a child? You may have been issued an Amended Birth Certificate that lists your adoptive parents as if they were your biological parents. These are absolutely acceptable for passport applications. On your passport application, you will also list your adoptive parents in the spaces for your parents’ information.

Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Did you know that the State Department also issues birth certificates? They do! If you are born outside the US to US citizen parents, you can be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240). These are issued at the US Embassy or Consulate in the location where you were born. When you apply for a new US passport, you will need to submit the Consular Report of Birth Abroad instead of your locally-issued birth certificate.

Photocopied or Notarized Birth Certificates

The most important thing to remember is that the birth certificate you submit with your passport application must be an original document. You can’t use a photocopy or even a notarized photocopy.

In this case, “original” doesn’t mean first. It simply means that it is the official document issued by the government agency, not a photocopy or scan. It’s OK if you no longer have the first copy of your birth certificate that was issued right after you were born. You can get a new version of your long form birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state where you were born, or you can order it online from VitalChek.com.

What Happens if You Don’t Have the Right Kind of Birth Certificate?

Any time you have to apply for a passport using Form DS-11, you will need to go to a Passport Acceptance Facility before you send your application to G3. If you don’t have the right kind of birth certificate, the Passport Acceptance Agent will tell you. You won’t be able to have your application prepared for submission until you return with an original long form birth certificate.

Not certain if your birth certificate will pass muster? We’re here to help. Just reach out to your G3 passport specialist to confirm if you have the right documentation to get your new passport.

The post Birth Certificates: Do You Have the Right Kind to Get a Passport? appeared first on G3Passports.

How Do You Become a Dual Citizen?

US law doesn’t prohibit you being both a US citizen and a citizen of another country. There are several ways you can acquire dual citizenship:

• Naturalization as a US citizen. If you become a US citizen through naturalization, most countries allow you to maintain your original citizenship as well.
• Marriage. Are you a US citizen engaged to someone from a foreign country? Some countries will automatically grant you citizenship if you marry a citizen.
• Birth. Some dual citizens are born that way! There are a number of ways you can get dual citizenship by birth. For instance, you could be born in the United States to parents from another country. Or you could be born to US citizens in another country that also grants citizenship to anyone born on its soil. If one of your parents is not a US citizen, you may get a secondary citizenship by right of descent.
• Becoming a citizen of another country. Just as the US doesn’t make foreign-born citizens give up their first citizenship, you can become a citizen of another nation without relinquishing your US citizenship. Marriage, as we mentioned, is one possible way to get a second citizenship. You might also be able to gain citizenship by residing in another country for many years, or by right of descent if your parents or grandparents were born overseas.

No one is exactly sure how many Americans are dual citizens, because no government agency tracks that information. But if you are one of them, you may have some questions about how to manage your two passports!

Traveling With Two Passports

Can I fly carrying both passports?

Yes, you are allowed to carry both passports when you travel. If you are returning to the US, you will definitely need to carry your US passport, whether or not you are also bringing your non-US passport.

Can I choose which passport I use to enter a foreign country?

In most cases, yes. If you are traveling to your other country of citizenship, you will be expected to use that country’s passport to enter. If you are traveling to a third country (not the US or your other country of citizenship), you can choose which passport you want to use. When deciding which passport to use, you should consider whether a visa is required for your trip. Most of the world’s nations allow you to enter on a US passport without a visa. However, there are a few countries that do require visas for US citizens that allow certain other nationals to enter visa-free. For instance, if you are a dual US-UK citizen, you can travel to Brazil on your British passport with no visa required.

My US passport is expired. Can I travel just using my non-US passport?

No, not unless you don’t want to come home to the States! You are required to have a valid US passport for your return to the US.

Which passport should I use to book my flight?

If you need to provide passport details to book an international flight, you should use the same passport that you will use to enter your destination country. It’s OK for you to check in for your return flight using your non-US passport, and then pull out your US passport to clear US immigration and customs.

I only have US citizenship. Is there a way for me to get a second passport for travel?

Yes, there is! You can get a second valid US passport, and G3 can help.

Passport Questions for Dual Citizens

Do I have to turn in my non-US passport to get a US passport?

Have you just been naturalized as a US citizen? Congratulations! You’re now eligible to get your first US passport. You are not required to turn in or give up your non-US passport. While your US passport is processing, you can hold on to your other passport and keep using it as an ID. You should not travel outside the US until you have your new US passport, though.

Can I use my non-US passport to prove my identity to get a US passport?

Yes, your non-US passport can be used as a form of secondary identification when you apply for your US passport. You can even use an expired non-US passport to help establish your identity.

I am renewing my US passport, and the application asks about my most recently issued passport. Do I put in the details of my foreign passport?

No, you don’t need to make any mention of your non-US passport on your US passport application. When you renew your US passport, you will fill in the details of your most recent US passport only.

How can I renew my non-US passport?

If you need to renew your non-US passport while you are living in the USA, you can request passport renewal service through the Embassy or Consulate of your other country of citizenship. Be prepared for it to take weeks or even months for your passport to be renewed. Not all embassies produce passports on site. They may need to send your passport back to the home country to be renewed.

The post Dual Citizens: Your Passport Questions Answered appeared first on G3Passports.

What is a Travel Visa?

For the majority of the world’s countries, the only travel document you’ll need for a short visit is your valid US passport. (For many countries, you’ll need to have at least six months of validity left on your passport.) However, some countries require you to have an additional travel document known as a visa.

A visa is a document issued by the government of the destination country to the traveler. The visa serves as a pre-approval for you to enter the country. If you are going to visit a country that requires that US citizens get visas in advance, you won’t be allowed to board your flight unless you have your visa!

Some countries require all US citizens to have visas in order to enter, no matter why you are visiting or how briefly you may stay. However, there are a lot of countries that allow US citizens to visit without a visa if you’re just making a short trip, but you would need a visa if you plan to stay for a long time and study, work, or take up residence.

Types of Visas for Different Types of Travel

There are many different types of visas that are issued to travelers. Some countries only have a few types of visas, and others have dozens of specific categories of visas! In general, though, the type of visa you will be issued will depend on the reason for your travel.

Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are short-term travel visas that are issued for — you guessed it! — tourism. They are used for leisure travel, like sightseeing, attending sporting events, or visiting friends.

Business Visas

Going on a business trip? You may need a business visa for your destination country. Business visas are used for short-term visits where you’ll be acting on behalf of your employer. Visiting business colleagues, meeting with other companies, conducting site visits, or attending trade shows are among the activities you can do on a business visa.

Work Visas

You’ll need a work visa if you are planning to take a job in a foreign country. It doesn’t matter what country it is, or whether it requires visas for US citizens to visit as tourists. If you’re going to take a job outside of your home country, you need a visa!

Sometimes travelers are confused about the difference between a business visa and a work visa. The key question to ask yourself is “who is paying me for the work I’ll do?” If you are just making a short trip (typically 90 days or less) and you’ll be paid by your US company, you will likely need a business visa. If you are going to be paid by a company in your destination country, you are almost certain to need a work visa.

Student Visas

Heading overseas to study? You may need to get a student visa. Student visas allow you to enroll in an accredited school or university in your destination country. Whether or not you will need a student visa will depend on what country you are going to, how long you will stay, and what type, of course, you will take.

If you plan to take a short, non-accredited class — like taking language classes, a photography course, or cooking lessons — your visit will likely count as a tourist visit and not require a special student visa.

Learn Whether You Need a Visa for Your Next Trip

Looking for an easy way to find out if you need a travel visa for your next international trip? Just visit our sister site, www.g3visas.com. There, you’ll find an easy to use “visa widget.” Select your destination country, your state of residence, and indicate whether you are traveling for business or tourism. The site will then let you know if you need a visa for your trip! If a visa is required, the site will also provide complete visa instructions and requirements.

How Are Travel Visas Issued?

You’ve determined that you need a travel visa for your next trip, but do you know how it will be issued? There are several different ways that countries issue visas. Some countries even offer more than one way for you to get the visa you need!

Consular Visas – Visas in Your Passport

When you think about a visa, you probably imagine a consular visa. These are the visas that are stamped into your passport at an Embassy or Consulate. A few countries still use rubber stamps to issue these visas, but most now have computer systems that print out your visa as a sticker. China, Russia, and Brazil are examples of countries that issue visas to US citizens only as consular visas.

eVisas – Electronic Visas

Electronic visas, often called eVisas, are a modern twist on the visa process. Instead of sending your actual passport book to a Consulate or Embassy, you apply for an eVisa through a government website. You will need to fill out an application online, and pay via credit card. You may also need to upload documents like a scan of your passport and a digital photo. Your visa is then issued to you as an email that you will print out and carry with you on your trip. Australia and Turkey are among the countries that issue eVisas to US citizens.

Visas on Arrival – Visas at the Airport

Some travel visas are not issued in advance of travel. Instead, you will get your visa when you arrive in your destination country. When you land at the airport, you will go through a special immigration line to get your visa on arrival. You will need to pay for your visa (most countries accept cash payment in US dollars). You may also need to fill out an application or supply passport-style photos. Examples of countries that offer visas on arrival to US citizens include Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Need Help with Your Travel Visa?

Visa processes can be complicated and time-consuming, but G3 is here to help! G3 offers complete visa services for US citizens, as well as for non-US citizens who live in the United States. Whether you need a consular visa or an eVisa, a business visa or a tourist visa, G3 makes it fast and easy.

The post Will You Need a Travel Visa for Your Next Trip? appeared first on G3Passports.