US passports drop in the rankings, but you still need to renew; Here’s how

07/08/2021

If you’re an avid traveler, chances are you’re well aware of when your U.S. passport expires and your options for renewal. However, like everything else, the pandemic has complicated that process. Application renewals were suspended for several months and now there is a huge backlog of renewal applications.

But the good news is that expedited processing is once again available. Here’s everything you need to know about renewing your passport right now.

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When should you renew your passport?

The State Department website has a handy calculator to help you figure out your passport renewal options and cost.

When timing your passport renewal, you should keep in mind your expiration date as well as where and when you’re traveling. Ideally, you should renew it at least six months before it expires, especially if you have travel coming up to countries that require six months of validity.

Regardless of entry requirements, it’s always best to renew ahead of time to avoid backlogs during busy travel periods and possible delays like those we’ve experienced during the pandemic.

A U.S. passport is valid for ten years for most adults, or five years if it was issued before age 16. Standard passport renewal can take up to 18 weeks (up to 12 weeks for processing and 6 weeks for mailing), though you can pay $17.56 to have it delivered within 1-2 days of processing.

You can also pay an extra $60 to have your passport expedited to 12 weeks (6 weeks processing and 6 weeks mailing). Again, you can tack on the $17.56 expedited shipping fee to move things along quicker.

If you need your passport even faster, you can choose the in-person Expedited Agency Processing option, which also costs $60 but requires you to travel within the next 72 hours. This option wasn’t available during much of the pandemic, but now that things have normalized and travel demand has skyrocketed, it’s back.

Renewal: Why I renewed our passports in the midst of a pandemic and how long it took

Countries that require six months of passport validity

Here’s a round-up of the countries that require U.S. citizens to have at least six months of validity on their passports. I’ve notated the few that require three months or less:

Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belgium (must be valid for three months beyond planned departure from the Schengen Area)
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Brunei
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
China
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
France (must be valid for three months beyond planned departure from the Schengen Area)
French Polynesia
Gabon
Germany (must be valid for three months beyond planned departure from the Schengen Area)
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Iceland (three months validity required)
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan (three months validity requirement)
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Malaysia
Micronesia
Mongolia
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama (three months validity)
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
Rwanda
Republic of the Congo
Russia
Sao Tome and Principe
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Spain (three months required, six recommended)
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan (three months required)
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia

Countries that require passport validity at the time of entry

While most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months, a few require validity at the time of entry or throughout your stay. If you’re visiting one of these countries, you can put off renewing your passport as long as the expiration date isn’t during your trip:

Argentina
Belize
Brazil
Burundi
Canada (three months for onward travel to Europe)
Chile
Costa Rica
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Mexico
Mauritius
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Phillippines
Saint Luci
Somalia
Taiwan
United Kingdom (six months for onward travel)
Uruguay
West Bank and Gaza

Related: Americans can now visit 90+ countries and territories — here’s the complete list

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How should you renew your passport?

You can renew your U.S. passport via mail or in-person. You will need to fill out Form DS-82 and provide a photo, your most recent passport and a check for the fees. Make sure your photo complies with the specified guidelines.

In-person renewals were restricted to life-and-death emergencies during the pandemic. Now, this option has been expanded again to those with travel booked within the next 72 hours.

If you’re mailing your renewal application, keep in mind that you have to use the United States Postal Service (USPS). No exceptions. If you use another carrier, your renewal package will be returned to you without being processed. If you’re mailing your passport renewal application from Canada, you must use Canada Post.

Related: Should you apply for or renew a passport right now? Everything you need to know

How much does it cost?

Renewing your U.S. passport costs $110 for a passport book or $140 for both the book and a passport card. You can also pay $60 to get your application expedited, which takes up to 12 weeks (including standard shipping and processing).

I once renewed my passport in July using the expedited option and got it back in less than two weeks. That probably won’t happen now, so definitely plan ahead.

If you need your passport renewed faster than 12 weeks, you can do so in person at a passport agency. This option can take 24-72 hours and is available if you can provide proof of travel within the next 72 hours. You’ll typically be required to show proof of upcoming travel and an official document (i.e., doctor’s note) verifying the emergency.

Related: Top credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

What country holds the most powerful passport?

While the U.S. has historically been in the top five most powerful passport list, that began to change inn 2019 when it dropped to number six on the Henley Passport Index. Since then, the U.S. has shared the number seven spot, alongside the U.K., Switzerland, Norway, Belgium and New Zealand.

Japan has ranked as the most powerful passport since 2018. The ranking is established based on the number of countries passport holders can access.

Top 10 most powerful passports

Here’s a current list of ten countries with the most powerful passports:

Japan (193 countries)
Singapore (192 countries)
Germany, South Korea (191 countries)
Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (190 countries)
Austria, Denmark (189 countries)
France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden (188 countries)
Belgium, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (187 countries)
Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway (186 countries)
Australia, Canada (185 countries)
Hungary (184 countries)

10 least powerful passports

The least powerful passports include countries throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East with ongoing conflicts. Afghanistan and Iraq are at the bottom of the list, granting access to just 26 and 28 countries, respectively.

Afghanistan (26 countries)
Iraq (28 countries)
Syria (29 countries)
Pakistan (32 countries)
Yemen (33 countries)
Somalia (34 countries)
Palestinian territories (37 countries)
Nepal (38 countries)
North Korea (39 countries)
Libya and Kosovo (40 countries)

Bottom line

Keep in mind that your passport number will change when you renew it. That means if you’re part of a trusted travel program like Global Entry, you’ll need to update your passport information. Luckily, you can do this online.

Simply log into your account and click on the “Update Documents” tab to enter your new passport number. The only change you can’t make online is a name change, for which you’ll have to visit a Global Entry enrollment center.

Featured photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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