More than 18 million passports were issued as a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in 2007. Those passports are about to expire, and people are trying to get their passports in good condition before heading out for summer. Are you planning a trip abroad or even just to Mexico for the summer? If you passport is about to expire, you may have some issues getting across the border. There are also other big changes ahead for passports that may slow down your vacation planning. In addition, more passport applications have been submitted than ever before. Want to avoid delays? It’s time to get started on your passport process immediately. There’s also some new security changes that will make it harder for someone to steal your identity from a passport. Here’s everything you can expect from the upcoming passport changes
What’s the Bureau of Consular Affairs
The Bureau of Consular Affairs handles policy for immigration and passports. Due to increased applications. the Bureau has warne that travelers need to get their passport application in as soon as possible, way ahead of their travel dates.
New Driver License Technology Doesn’t Work
There are new driver’s licenses with features like machine-readable technology. While most people who have these new driver’s licenses and ID cards can continue to use them as they always have, there are some states that do not have the technology upgrades to read the new driver’s licenses. These states include Maine, Minnesota, Missouri and Montana. Federal agencies do not have to accept new driver’s licenses that won’t scan.
New Technology to Reduce Fraud
New security measures have been added through a data chip that has all of your personal information and biometrics. This will be available when an agent scans the passport onto a computer. If someone is able to steal your passport, they can’t change the photo and falsify your identity, as it’s already stored in the passport’s data chip.
Lighter Passports = Less Pages
The new passports will be much lighter. They will not have 52 pages a sbefore. Instead, only 28 pages will be included. The US Department of State is also not adding visa pages into US passports. Citizens were once able to apy for an additional 24 pages, but not anymore. Passports now have adequate space for entry or exit visa stamps according to the US Department of State.
Renew Your Passport Online
There will be a new platfor mthat will allow people to get a new passport online. However, it’s not available just yet. While you can apply for a passport online, you still have to print out your forms to bring with you to get a passport. By the end of 2017, Brenda Sprague, the deputy assistant security for passport services, has said that passports will be easier to apply for and obtain through online measures. You may also be able to upload your photograph to renew a passport online, making it quicker to get a passport.
Water-Proof and Bend-Proof
The new information page in the next type of passport has a polycarbonate coating that will help prevent passports from being damaged.
Additional Watermarks and Special Features
There will also be new components added to the next passport. For example, watermarks and color-shifting will be added so that the inks display in different hues, green or gold, depending on how you view the passport. These make it more difficult for forgers to create duplicate passports. There will also be very tiny graphics along with biometric characteristics added, for another level of protection.
No Glasses on Photos
Recent changes also dictate that passport photos must show your face, without glasses or other obstructions. In 2015, more than 200,000 applicants submitted poor quality photos that hardly allowed agents to recognize people’s faces. The number one problem was that they were wearing glasses. This change is only applicable if you are getting a brand new passport.
Electronic Screening Process
Authorities are also trying to make it easier for travelers to get through the screening process. However, they do not want to sacrifice on safety. Ausralia is trying to let people store their passports in the cloud, simply allowing them to present their phones when traveling. The country also wants to replace paper passports with facial recognition technology.