New passport requirements cause delays

Getting a passport is a must for students who plan to study abroad, and the mounting delays in the application process could be setting students back. As of January, every person entering the United States from Canada, Mexico and most of the Caribbean is required to show a passport. Because of this, the request for passports has increased dramatically, causing the standard processing time for passports to increase from six weeks to 10 weeks. Expedited passports, which previously took two weeks, could take four weeks and cost about $60 dollars more than the standard fee of $97. Study Abroad Coordinator Melanie McCallon said this year's travel season is much worse than past travel seasons. "(These changes) are mostly hitting their pocket books," McCallon said. "Students are having to expedite for summer study abroad programs." With the delays, there is no time for procrastination if students intend to receive their passports in time to leave the country. "It lies in the hands of the traveler, the traveler has to apply early," McCallon said. "People should be applying now for summer and fall trips." Taylor Cooper, sophomore from Almo, said students should apply for a passport as early as possible. "I intentionally delayed applying for my passport until I was confirmed so that I was accepted into the (study abroad) program," he said. "About a week after I found out, I applied for a passport. My advice is to apply as soon as you know you are accepted into the program, because they usually notify if you have been accepted well in advance of the date you leave. So even if they now take 10 weeks to get, most of the time you will have much more than 10 weeks notice to get your business in order. "I am anticipating no problems in receiving one in time, provided they do not increase the delays any longer. The best advice is to plan ahead and not to wait until the last minute to apply." Some students, like Erin Cathcart, junior from Oakdale, Ill., didn't notice any problems with the passport process. "My passport came quickly. I know a lot of people have problems with them," she said. "They're expensive, but they last for 10 years." When applying for a passport, students should bring the application and required paperwork: 2-by-2 photos, birth certificate and driver's license. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site, state.gov.