Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope 2024 is your best year yet. If you are looking to discover more–about yourself, other cultures, other languages, other foods, and what the world has on offer–GuideMie will be here to help!
The first few blogposts/sections will be super general and primarily to help people take the first steps to going abroad. So far, I’ve got most of the articles done, but the WIFI at the airport is not working so I can’t post them. Neither is my brain!
Here they are (in order)
- How to get a passport (for US citizens)
- How to find cheap plane tickets
- How to pack for your trip abroad
- How to minimize jet lag
- How to fund and pay for your trips
If you're a US citizen and are planning to go abroad this year, but don't have your passport yet, you should start on it ASAP! It can take several weeks to get the document back during normal processing times, especially if it is your first passport.
The State Department has a pretty good website set up showing you all of the steps you need to take. I've included a link to it here.
What is a passport, Why get one, how long is it valid?
A passport is a travel document issued by the a country’s government verifying you are a citizen of the country on the name of the document. Passports were made to make international travel easier and to verify a person is a citizen of a country or state. Passports also have pages to receive visas or entry stamps, documenting where and when a person has travelled (as long as the document is valid). Most countries allow citizens to get a regular passport for travel, but other passports (Diplomatic, Official) are provided for specific purposes related to government-government interaction and may have privileges (diplomatic immunity) that normal passport holders do not have. Today, if you want to travel abroad legally, you must have a passport and a visa (if required).
Two for me, one for you!
In most cases, US citizens can only have ONE regular U.S. passport, but the US government allows Americans to have two if you are travelling to countries (Israel, Armenia for example) where previous visitors to a different country are rejected at the border (Israel-Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait; Armenia-Azerbaijan).
In the US, passports are normally valid for 10 years. However, if your passport gets ripped, torn, water damaged, or starts coming apart, you will likely need a new one BEFORE you leave and hit the road. If you travel on a ripped or damaged passport, you may not be allowed on the flight out, or worse–you could be denied entry into a country, detained, and put on the next flight home.
The State Dept. has a wizard to help walk you through the process of getting your passport. Click the above link to take the first step to getting your golden ticket to see the world.
How to Get Your Passport (US Citizens)
The most common way is to get your first passport is to interview at a passport center.
Passport centers are usually located in a post office, but some Universities have them as well for students who are planning to study abroad. If you live in a small town, you may have to go to your county seat or the main post office for your area. Passports in the US are normally granted based on US citizenship and verification of US citizenship (unless you are from American Samoa). If you have a felony or have been convicted of a felony, getting a passport is much more difficult (and getting a visa to visit another country is likely even more so)
Why do you have to Interview? Just off of the top of my head, I can think of three big reasons: (if anyone has more, please feel free to add)
- The US Government is vouching for you as a citizen when you are abroad. The US Government has a duty to protect its citizens (and nationals) abroad if they run into harm or an emergency (get arrested, become very sick, get robbed, run out of money, etc) and to help them get back to the US.
- The US and other countries have visa-free travel arrangements for tourism and short-term travel. Having a US passport gives you the ability to visit countries around the world with little more than your passport book, a ticket in + out, a reservation in a hotel or hostel, and some money. Once you arrive back at the border, being a US citizen means you will be granted into the US (you may still get checked and grilled). And finally…
- US Citizens will always be taxed–no matter where they are in the world…you can run but you can’t hide from the long arms of the IRS!
How to get a passport (for US citizens)
- A DS-11 Passport form, filled out. The State Department has a wizard to make filling + printing out the form easily here.
- Evidence of US citizenship. This is normally an official birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, certificate of citizenship, or consular report of birth abroad. It will be returned to you several weeks after you get your passport. The evidence cannot be digital, and must be paper.
- A photocopy of your evidence of US citizenship. No photocopy = delay
- A valid government ID (Driver’s license, Trusted Traveller ID–global entry, etc)
- A photocopy of that form of ID. Photocopies must:
- show the front + back, on a normal sheet of printer paper
- be in black and white
- be legible and easy to read.
- Determine other circumstances specific to your application (if you are applying with kids, or owe child support there are extra steps to take.)
- Provide a passport photo — FOLLOW the directions to a T and be sure to get a couple of extras!
- Pay $165 for an adult passport book ($135) + the processing fee ($30). If you are looking to travel SOON, you can pay an additional $60 to have it expedited.
- Note: I’ve always paid this fee to speed the processing; it’s taken no longer than 3-4 weeks in total.
- Find an acceptance facility here and make an appointment (if necessary).
- Apply, interview, and get excited for your golden ticket!
Once you have your passport, you can start planning your adventures around the world. I know this process is a bit complicated, (it's dealing with the government) but it is completely worth the effort to be able to travel and gain experience that is impossible to find in the US. Feel free to reach out if you have questions, and if this first hurdle is challenging--don't give up! Keep moving forward and you will make it 😀