Google has announced that US passports and state IDs from Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio can now be uploaded to Google Wallet, following the recent addition of California licenses. This update allows users to store digital IDs and passports for use at select TSA checkpoints, although carrying a physical copy is still recommended. Additionally, Google Wallet now supports select prepaid commuter benefit cards and allows access to passes via the web. The rollout of these features is expected to reach all eligible users in the coming weeks.
The US State Department has announced that processing times for passport applications have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with routine service taking six to eight weeks and expedited service taking two to three weeks. This comes after years of delays caused by a backlog resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, processing times of up to 18 weeks frustrated travelers and led to abandoned travel plans. The State Department issued a record-breaking number of passport books and cards in the last fiscal year, and the number of Americans with passports has significantly increased over the years.
The wait for US passports is causing delays in summer travel plans, with the State Department attributing the backlog to pandemic-related staffing shortages and the pause in online processing. The department is receiving a record 500,000 passport applications per week and is taking steps to address the issue by hiring more agents and increasing appointment availability.
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.
