All articles tagged with #us passport
The US has dropped to 10th place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, marking its lowest position in 20 years, with Singapore holding the top spot for the most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations. The index highlights the increasing competitiveness of global mobility, with Asian and European countries leading, while the US faces new visa fees that could impact international travel.
The U.S. passport has fallen to the 10th position in the Henley Passport Index, allowing visa-free access to 182 countries, reflecting a decline in global mobility and diplomatic influence, and marking the first time in 20 years it may exit the top 10 rankings.
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.
Spirit Airlines apologized to a Puerto Rican family for denying them boarding on a domestic flight from Los Angeles to Puerto Rico because their toddler didn't have a US passport. American passports are not required for flights between the US mainland and Puerto Rico, which has been a US territory for some 125 years. Puerto Ricans are American citizens and thus are not required to produce a passport in order to board a domestic flight. The airline has apologized to the family and issued a refund as well as vouchers for future flights.
Spirit Airlines apologized to a Puerto Rican family after refusing to let them fly from LA to Puerto Rico because their toddler did not have a US passport, which is not required for travel between the US territory and the mainland. The family subsequently bought JetBlue tickets at a higher price. The airline refunded their tickets and provided travel vouchers for future flights, and said the agent who misunderstood the identification requirements would receive additional coaching.