20 Aug 13:32

What is required to apply for a passport?

Do you have a passport or have you applied for one for overseas travel? If you are applying for a passport for the first time, please prepare all of the necessary papers. These papers will be the same if you are renewing a passport that has expired, been lost, or stolen.You can apply for a passport renewal one year before its expiration date.

Passport Requirements

Check that the letter “P” is listed under “Type” on the identification page after getting a passport.
The letter “P” stands for “passport.” It indicates that the paper is a genuine passport. A machine will read the two-character letter and number provided on the passport’s identifying page prior to immigration screening at the destination of travel.
The system recognizes the document as a passport when it reads the “P” at the beginning of these two characters. Non-machine-readable passports, which just include an original photograph glued to the page, lack these two characters and cannot be read by a machine. Machine-readable passports must adhere to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) international requirements. In rare situations, the passport will show two letters, such as “PD” or “PM,” rather than just “P.” Furthermore, if a person has been awarded a visa, a “V” may appear on his or her passport. After acquiring a passport, store it safely and bring it with you while traveling overseas.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

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Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!

Technical requirements and conditions of passports

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Passport Requirements for entry to the U. S.

All visitors to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have a passport with a machine-readable IC tip. Even for babies, the same type of passport is necessary.

When traveling to the United States, citizens of the following countries must have a passport with an IC tip affixed.

1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. Andorra
4. England
5. Italy
6. Australia
7. Japan
8. North Korea
9. Taiwan
10. Spain
11. Belgium
12. Austria
13. Brunei
14. Chili
15. Czech Republic
16. Denmark
17. Estonia
18. Finland
19. France
20. Germany
21. Portugal
22. Holland
23. Poland
24. Greece
25. Switzerland
26. Hungary
27. Latvia
28. Liechtenstein
29. Lithuania
30. Luxemburg
31. Monaco
32. New Zealand
33. Norway
34. Singapore
35. Slovakia
36. Slovenia
37. Sweden
38. San Marino
39. Republic of Malta

General Requirements for entry to the U.S.

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Visitors Need to have an IC tip Installed Passport

The Passport IC tip contains biometric information about the passport’s owner. Since April 1, 2016, all travellers entering the United States via ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) have been required to have an E-Passport with an IC tip.

Expiration Date of the Passport Must to be Valid When Leaving the U.S.

It is necessary to have a valid passport while applying for ESTA and also when departing from the United States. It is not essential to reapply for ESTA if your ESTA has expired while you are still in the United States. If you obtain a visa for admission into the United States, you must leave the country within a certain time frame.
Those who need to obtain a visa due to an ESTA application denial should research the type of visa required based on the objective.

Staying Period Must be within 90days

When entering the United States with an ESTA, which is part of VWP, the maximum stay is limited to 90 days. Overstaying without explanation may result in a fine and involuntary repatriation as an illegal immigrant. Those who want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days are not need to apply for an ESTA. Even individuals who are staying inside 90 days but want to work part-time or study abroad are not need to apply for an ESTA. Those who visit the United States for employment or study for more than 90 days must get a visa from a nearby United States embassy or consulate general.

The Purpose of the Visit to the US Must be Reasonable

The purposes indicated below must be followed by persons who go to the United States with VWP and ESTA.

Sightseeing	General sightseeing tour, visits to friends and relatives, and (medical) treatment.
Business	The objective of the visit is to meet consumers, make contracts, and inspect, not to do work or business in exchange for a reward.
Specialized Event	Attend science, education, specialist field activities, and conferences in the United States.
Social Event	To attend a social function or award ceremony held by a fraternity or service organization in the United States.
Recreation	To participate in short-term leisure.

Certain visa would be required for gaining degree, credit or qualification in the US.
For more details, please refer to passport requirements subjected to VWP(Visa Waiver program).

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website

Requirements of the Six Month Club

In general, visitors are able to leave their nations under the Six Month Club if their passports have at least six months remaining in their validity terms. Some nations, however, have reached agreements that waive the Six Month Club criteria. Travelers’ passports do not need to be valid for at least six months under these agreements, but they do need to be valid for the anticipated time of stay.
To be granted a visa, you must present a valid renewed passport as well as your previous passport. You do not need to apply for a visa again because your passport has been renewed.

* Permanent residents, refugees, and exiles must apply to the United States for legitimate certifications, such as an Alien Registration Certificate issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

Six Month Club update information

Kosovo is the newest member of the Six Month Club.
Nationals of the following countries are exempt from the requirement that their passports be valid for at least six months.
They may be allowed to enter the United States if their passports are valid for the duration of their anticipated stay.

The U.S. CBP website

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?

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Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!