A backlog of US passport applications has caused significant delays and disruptions for travelers seeking valid passports for upcoming trips. The backlog is attributed to pandemic-related staffing shortages and a pause in online processing. As a result, applicants are experiencing long wait times, uncertainty, and costly measures to secure their passports in time for their planned travel. The US government acknowledges the problem but has not provided a timeline for resolution. The backlog is affecting both US citizens and foreigners seeking US visas and passports abroad.
The US passport application process is facing severe delays and backlogs due to a combination of pandemic-related staffing shortages and a pause in online processing. With a record-breaking 500,000 applications per week, applicants are experiencing maddening delays, uncertainty, and costly measures to secure their passports in time for travel. The State Department is prioritizing urgent cases, but for most applicants, options are limited and expensive. The backlog is affecting not only US citizens but also those seeking US visas and passports abroad. The situation is particularly acute for dual citizens in Israel, where appointments are scarce and require both parents' involvement, causing significant inconvenience and stress. The government has acknowledged the problem but has not provided a timeline for resolution.
The backlog of US passport applications is causing significant delays and frustration for travelers as worldwide travel rebounds. The State Department blames the backlog on pandemic-related staffing shortages and the pause of online processing. With a record-breaking 500,000 applications per week, the wait times for passports have increased, leaving many travelers in a state of uncertainty. Some applicants are resorting to buying additional plane tickets to cities where their passports are being processed. The situation is not much better for Americans abroad, as consulates overseas are also experiencing delays in visa interviews. The government is working to address the crisis by hiring more agents and opening more appointments, but the timeline for improvement remains uncertain.
The backlog of US passport applications is causing significant delays and frustration for travelers as worldwide travel rebounds. The State Department is blaming the backlog on pandemic-related staffing shortages and a pause in online processing. With a record-breaking 500,000 applications per week, the wait times for passports have increased, leaving many travelers in a state of uncertainty and resorting to expensive measures to obtain their passports in time for their planned trips. The delays are affecting not only Americans but also those seeking US visas and passports at consulates overseas. The government is working to address the crisis but has not provided a timeline for when the situation will improve.
