I recently renewed my US passport while living overseas. I was expecting it to be a nightmare but was instead pleasantly surprised at how helpful and efficient the consulate staff was.
Me too, last summer in Shenyang, China. I was so worried...with China's covid travel restrictions and having to travel to Shenyang....and the consulate had a guy DHL it back to me in a couple days.
It's always been easier overseas. Will even courier paid door delivery, that was more recent, depends on what countries. Anyways it wasn't so hard in the county I live in in Florida, but had to go pick it up. However people were complaining about it before Ron DeSantis became governor.
I lost my passport in Munich and I got a new one via the consulate there in less than a week (a regular one, not an emergency one). I guess it makes sense that it's faster overseas because you kind of need a passport. Only weird thing was that the security made me take a sip from my water bottle in front of them. Guess it might have been a liquid bomb or something.
I got my US citizenship in 2020, I needed to update my ID, my SSN, and then get my passport. It took like 7 months for each item. I always felt they used the pandemic as an excuse for not working , the bigger the backlog the happier they all seemed to be. In contrast, Even during the pandemic I obtained my Mexican passport same day, as always.
I was lucky and got mine in 5 weeks. but it was just a renewal and I think I sent it in at a good time, in late May. So most people who were taking summer vacations had already filed to get a new or renewed passport. As for using the pandemic as an excuse. I thought the same about motor vehicle, but that was until I visited the place on a Saturday recently. What a nightmare, it was like a busy airport there was so many people crammed into a small office space. I don't get it, they make hundreds of millons in fees (just in my state alone), and with US passports it's in the Billions. They should be opening more offices/hiring more people to process paperwork faster.
Reading the comments here on how long it takes to renew a passport. As a Malaysian, I went to renew my daughter's passport recently. I went in at 2.30pm on a weekday, and walked out with the new passport about 6pm the very same day. They did (and still do) have the issues with increased volume post-pandemic, but quickly (relatively) opened key offices on weekends to clear the backlog. Just sharing.
Wow! In France they were overloaded due to the pandemic mais it took them a few months to add new resources. Administrations are never open during weekends and usually work 9 to 5, except one day in the week when they work later
@@patrickc5218 I was actually surprised that they said they will stay as late as possible to clear the day's outstanding applications. So anyone who came in that day to renew got theirs the same day even if it took till 8pm. I think this is not a normal procedure but given the huge demand, they decided on this approach. Normally, there is a fixed number per day, first-come-first served but if they retain this process, it will take years to clear the pent up demand.
During the lockdowns here in Australia you couldn’t leave on your Australian passport without an approved permission.. But as a dual citizen I could leave on my overseas passport… That’s a pretty good reason to have an extra passport too…
When my Brit friends got stuck in the UK during the pandemic and could not travel to the EU, my foreign passport allowed me to travel for something urgent! That's when I realised the power of multiple passports!
I renewed my Canadian passport in 2017. I went to the passport office in person, turned in my old passport and got my new one on the spot. The whole process took about two hours including waiting for my number to be called (much like DMV). I’m very glad I opted for the 10 year passport rather than 5 years. Something tells me the process will be harder in 2027.
I completely agree, it is real concerning that people don't understand individual freedom, economics and are neither skeptical of government power of their own lifes.
@@stevedrake360My foreign passport allowed me to travel to the EU when the EU banned Brits during the pandemic. Having multiple passport advantage became crystal clear to me .
I have been waiting for my Canadian passport that I mailed in for almost a year now… no reply from the passport guys. I already paid the fee, apply with plenty of notice, and nothing. Now boom they go on strike…😂 now my “3rd world” country passport is the one allowing me to travel!
Public sector will probably more efficient with them on strike. Should fire them all, tell them they can reapply for the new jobs but only hiring 50% back. Useless.
You are speaking my language. Ive got a year and a half left on my Canadian passport . I’m going back to canada for the summer getting it renewed on a rush (paying the extra) just to ensure I’ve got a traditional passport for another 10 years while I start my permanent residency process towards citizenship in Mexico
Brilliantly put, yes, most of us are sheep, and inertia rules us, and we don’t want change, at least from our own decisions, do we? Are governments abusing us or what?
With Blockchain technology, and even technology, that is not Blockchain per se, you can track every cent that the government spends as long as the government is willing to do that. With central bank, digital currencies, they will be trying to track everything you do, or spend all over the globe, but I will guarantee you they make some sort of legal provision to the two exempt themselves from the same kind of surveillance that they want to put you under.
I recently used an expediting service to obtain a US passport, and was pleased to receive it within six business days. I also added a French visa to my passport, which took an additional five days. I'm a big fan of both the US and France, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to visit both countries in the future. I understand that obtaining a passport and visa can be a complex process, but I'm grateful for the assistance of the expediting service in making it faster and more convenient.
@@charleskellymoneytipspodca9121 Yes friend, we have been here for almost 2 years and travel around a fair bit. We have a car, bank account, health insurance, only renting as we want to explore Mexico. Feel free to follow our journey we'd truly appreciate your support. 🙏✌️🥰🐶
Toronto way more scary with drugged up spaced lunatic’s stabbing, attacking , shorting in subways buses etc etc. Mexican’s don’t support drug use etc etc stay out of the northern borders and cartel towns. @@charleskellymoneytipspodca9121
The fact that we even need passports is a joke. We are free humans who were born on this earth. Who are other humans to tell us where we can live or when and where we can stay or go?
@@Learned333 Have you tried leaving the U.S. with a boat? There are lots of road blocks there too. The least of which is having the clearance documents which allows you to enter another country. Without the proper clearances from the previous country, the next country may impound your boat. You also have to have proof of ownership of the boat, and you still need a passport and visa unless it is a visa free country. Even USCG registration may not be enough to enter some countries with your boat without further proof of ownership such as a Bill of sale. One horror story I heard about was where a couple had their boat impounded and had to fly back to the states to get the proper documentation for their boat before the impound could be lifted. How do I know about this? I have a boat.
When my Brit friends got stuck in the UK during the pandemic and could not travel to the EU, my foreign passport allowed me to travel for something urgent! That's when I realised the power of multiple passports!
Got a ten year for me and my husband, when we renewed in our Western country. By next week, I should have my temporary residency (did on my own with help from a local for under $2,000 USD) and then I'll fast track my residency so I don't have to wait the four years it becomes automatic. My husband and minor children are automatically included, through me. I am definitely interested in having a second citizenship from a non-Western country that still respects the rights of it's people and wants to attract the best and the brightest.
Depending on what state you live in, a workaround in the US is to either be traveling within 14 days, or buy a refundable plane ticket with departure date within 14 days. You can then go to a regional passport agency with proof of travel and get a full 10-year passport the same day or next day, depending on appointment availability. Appointments are often available same day and pretty much always available within a day or two. If you can't wait for the next appointment, you can also just show up, tell anyone who asks that you have an appointment, and then play dumb at the actual window and say 'I thought I had an appointment for X time' and they will most likely help you anyway.
Your socialist voice is a level up and just so amusing Andrew, thank you so much for making me burst out laughing on a challenging day. You were my breath of halarity into my mundane day.
Had to get 1st passport for 4 year old. It’s appointment schedule at usps in USA now. It worked OK. Paid for expedited. .. starting to get 3rd world vibe navigating the janky website/system. .. we’re spending trillions in foreign wars that end disastrously… and US gov created pandemics and…
You’re right. There’s so much going on right now around the world and here in Canada. The good news is… I’ve got a 2nd passport if it’s necessary to go somewhere else. Something is definitely going on right now. Take care everyone. ❤
As a Canadian with a valid passport, may I ask how you got a second one? Is your second passport issued from another country? Thank you for your help🙏🏽
I absolutely enjoy the way you articulate yourself!! I am grateful to be so very free!! Great words of wisdom my friend! I am happy to live in another country out if the US. I really hope people listen and take action!!
Brexit Britain is becoming less and less desirable. No access to the single market, higher taxes, the end of investor visas, a health system that has collapsed and strike after strike.
@@lonalxaia sovereignty is important and so are other things, and if you are going to push to be sovereign you should make sure you can properly take care of your own, and not take away their rights the magna carta gave them, or their health rights, or destroy their economy so they can’t take care of themselves.
@@rockjockchick the politians want sovereignty to less desirable look how how long they draged their feet and tried everything to sabotage their peoples rights also with the EUs help. Also @ Giorgio Loukas can you explain what so desirable about being in the EU.
When globalists hate sovereignty, no "Brexit" will thrive in this last age. Especially when the UK has some of the highest Deep State members. This is not Brexit's fault.
I think that’s an exaggeration, I think the real reason is people that can’t be fired or reprimanded for going slow while making hi hourly wages, and a good living to do so will do just that, and not the other thing.
During virus mania in the US it was basically impossible to get a passport for over a year. I think they shut down the offices and when they reopened they had a massive backlog and staffing issues.
Anyone remember that Tom hanks movie called "terminal" fun enough it's based on a true story but could you imagine not being able to travel because your country fell apart while you were gone? Pretty sure this is what most Afghani people are going through rn
I live in two countries and I couldnt get my passport renewed either, now I am abroad with 10 months on my passport only, imagine renewing your residency with 10 months on your passport. And my citizenship is meant to be gold ? hell no
That happened in Brazil a few months ago. You paid the fee, but the police didn't have money to produce the passports. Yes, the previous sentence is correct.
Hilarious but in no way surprising. Of course I guarantee there was no explanation or justification for this probably just an uncomfortable silence. Ah?
@13:15 "We've seen the kinds of stuff that has happened just in this century" LIGHTNING STRIKES "Wars on terror, pandemics, financial crisis, austerity measures". PERFECT TIMING.
It's sad here in the west. I live in DC and 95% of people here want more gov control, see no inflation, see no issues in the family unit and have a flat out negative attitude.
I was trying to get an appointment to renew my PP, You had to call the first day of every month to make an appointment if you missed that day the appointments would be full by the second day and often i would forget and miss the first day of the month and then it was too late, so after months and months of not being able to get an appointment (The only other choice was one office you could walk in and wait 8 hours and maybe get it, maybe not though too.) Finally, I had a kind soul at the library I was attempting to make the appointment at, advised me to go out of town. I found a post office in a tiny town about an hour away and was able to make an appointment, had a lovely drive, met nice people, had no line Everything couldn't have gone nicer. GREAT ADVICE.
100% the identical situation in Canada. 155 K public servants on strike. Passport Office was already months (if not years) behind issuing passports. Literally have to wait 9 months or longer AND only if you can show REAL need.
I am real torn about this, andrew is right but we can't just abandon the good folks that's fighting this unjust government I know because I live amoungest them
Technically it is a right to travel freely into and out of Canada according to our bill of rights. The passport is simply a mechanism to do so. Edit: I wonder if there is a legal recourse🤔
I thought that it was illegal to have citizenship in a foreign country. My ex-husbands relatives became Costa Rican citizens and they were required to give up their US Citizenship.
Thank you. To support teachers in LA, it 's not like europe. They are treated like a sh. with salary that's mostly not enough to afford rent & food. You're just barely surviving there as a teacher or in CA in general
I reckon the reason the US and UK are so slow on this is because literally everybody and their grandma is trying to get in … those countries can afford to be complacent
One of the most stressful experiences ,trying to renew my UK passport,"online"! from outside the country, 4 months of aggro, numerous Doc's, posted, phone calls , etc, nightmare,
When my Brit friends got stuck in the UK during the pandemic and could not travel to the EU, my foreign passport allowed me to travel for something urgent! That's when I realised the power of multiple passports!
In Russia, you cannot get a biometric passport because there's chip shortage in the country. In the past, they were imported from somewhere else, and now local chip producers need some time to start producing enough chips for passports.
Best wishes for Russians who deserve to travel and enjoy the world. We should still be friends but we are not the boss, we are just little American citizens getting pushed around like everybody else except the guys on a certain political party that starts with a d.
My father grew up in Germany and studied school. He lived more 12 years. He never applied for German citizenship. He was born there. What can I do for him? we are from Greece.
I need a passport to a country where I can live life without a car. Not being able to operate a car in the US makes me feel like a second-class citizen.
In Texas it is so much harder to mrenew your driving license. Now you have to make an appointment and when you. Show up you have to have a birth certificate no matter how long you have had your license in Texas. The wait time is anywhere from 1 to 3 months. Alot of people are driving on expired licenses now. The reason they give for the delay is non other than the PANDEMIC. It's just unbelievable.
Hey Andrew, I'm from the UK and just applied to renew my passport. The fee was £86 and I have to wait up to 10 weeks to receive my new one. I've had to put my summer holiday plans on hold until I receive it. My Girlfriend is Colombian and she couldn't believe how long it takes.
madness here in the UK, 10 weeks is insane. you would think with all this public sector administration, it would be justified and effective. hardly, hopefully you get it soon!
@@DomsDocs When my Brit friends got stuck in the UK during the pandemic and could not travel to the EU, my foreign passport allowed me to travel for something urgent! That's when I realised the power of multiple passports!
I’m an American living in Switzerland for 9 years. 1 more year and I’m applying for my Swiss passport! I have an appointment next Friday to apply for my kids who are eligible now. 🙏🏻
Remember, you are never trapped in the US. If you go south you can walk out of the country and take a cab. In the US you can take a cab to Roxall Rd and walk over the border in both cases. People, so yourselves a favor listen to Mr. Henderson. Though you might not be able to afford his services. His advice is priceless. Many thanks!
There are lots of strikes going on in the public sector due to high inflation, high wage demands and low wage offers. The same thing happened during previous high inflation periods, like under the Thatcher government and the previous labour government. The strikes by the passport office are just part of the general public sector and rest, not some plot to stop us travelling. Having said that, much of the work in the passport office is done by outside contracting companies rather than civil servants. They process millions of passports and most of it is done online nowadays. The problem is people always leave things till the last minute. They book a summer holiday, and then realise that their passport has expired a couple of months before they want to leave. 😂
The issue is not matter how many other passports you have, you still need a valid US passport to travel out/in of USA. Unless you plan to escape by the land border..
There are thousands of British expats living here in Thailand. I hope they at least extend the old ones, some of those people could have serious problems.
I just got back to usa from panama ...realized my passport would expire in August...didn't want to endure that. Went to the post office in chicago on March 21st. Paid for an expedited passport and them paid an extra $28.00 for expedited shipping ....I got my passport back april 15th ....if you don't pay for expedited usps shipping you could be waiting a few months
