www.CostaRicaTicas.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Passport delays got your summer travel plans in limbo? You may be able to rest easier.

The State Department says it is cranking out U.S. passports in historically high numbers to meet an unprecedented surge in demand caused by tough new immigration rules.

Last week, it issued a record 412,000 of the documents, the most ever issued over a seven-day period, easily besting the only week-old previous high mark of 379,000, the department said in a statement on Monday.

"Passport production has hit record highs as the department works diligently to honor its mission and ensure that every citizen gets a passport in time for planned travel," it said.

A boost in staffing and overtime and weekend hours at the 17 passport agencies has succeeded in reducing some processing delays that had threatened a huge number of overseas vacations for Americans and sparked congressional concern, it said.

Expedited applications, which require an additional fee, will now again be processed in two weeks, down from four at the height of the crisis. Standard applications will still take ten weeks, the department said.

In March, the department warned a crush of new passport applicants — more than 1 million a month — had inundated its staff and caused extended delays at the peak of the January-to-April season when many people prepare to travel over the spring and summer.

The surge was made worse by a new regulation that took effect this year requiring Americans to have passports when traveling by air to any country, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Applications between last October and March rose 44% over the same period in 2005-2006, according to the State Department, which said it expected to process about 17 million passports in 2007.

Some 74 million Americans now have valid U.S. passports.

Wit,
That's a good article because I know from personal experience that the wait times are now longer. I need to renew mine (expires in July). And they say that even the expedited service (which usually takes less than 2 weeks) is taking 3-4 weeks now.

Speaking of passports... When traveling to CR, I remember reading somewhere that they require us to have a valid passport for at least 90 days from the date you enter the country. Is this correct? What if you're only staying for a week? What would they do if your passport expires in less 75 days? If you show them your return ticket (for 7 days later) would they let it slide? Anybody have any experience with that? I couldn't renew it earlier because I travelled internationally in late March.

Thanks.

There are walk-in passport centers in a few cities that you can make an appointment at and apply for passport renewal in person. Call 877-487-2778 for an appointment/info. This is only for people travelling within 2 weeks. If you are travelling more than 2 weeks out they want you to use renewal by mail.

Confirmed lurker and ruining my status as such but yeah, the 90 day rule is pretty standard. Most countries that don't require a visa require that your passport be valid for 90 days prior. This is done mainly because most countries that don't require a visa let you stay 90 days without requesting some sort of visa or residency paperwork.

With that said, you may be able to sneak in if the person checking the passport isn't paying that much attention but I would not want to risk it.

That's a good question Orange. In the past, I thought I heard that you must have at least 6 months left on your passport to enter CR. Can anyone confirm the actual guidelines / rules on this topic?

I'm coming up on renewal next June, 2008, but I don't have more than a 5 week span in between any of my trips between now and then, so I'll have no choice but to pay the extra to have it "expedited". But I understand that you can not renew your passport more than 1 year before expiration.

Good topic Uncle Wit!

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I was in CR in February and my passport expires in early July, that's 5 months. Nobody said anything. Maybe they just didn't notice.

But now I'm making this April trip and my passport expires in early July, about 75 days. I think I may have some problems if I don't renew soon. I don't think I want to chance it. I just didn't have enough time (6-8 weeks) since last October to renew.

FYI-There are some companies that will get you a passport in as little as 4 days. They charge a fee in addition to the $67 + 60 gov't fees. I looked into one that charges $65 for this. So the total cost would be $192. That's a lot but better than missing a trip or having to pay $100 just to change your ticket. Do a google search for "passport renewal".

From the Dept. Of State page.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: For entry into Costa Rica, U.S. citizens must present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a roundtrip/outbound ticket. Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way. Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay beyond the period granted, travelers must submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience a delay at the airport when departing. Persons who overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.

Here is the link if you want to review the rest of it.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1093.html

From Delta Airlines website:

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Passport Renewal:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/re ... w_833.html

only 30 days? Niiiice! Thanks ID for the info.

This is good news as I am still waiting on mine that I applied for in mid January, hopefully I will have it prior to my trip in May.

I was in the post office yesterday. I asked the guy behind the counter if they was processing more passport applications with the new rules. He said in the past they were lucky if they did 2 or 3 a week. Now they do something like 10 to 15 a day.

Berk....

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FRUITCAKE... and you thought it was something you eat! Not on CRT!

I just came across some conflicting info regarding passports... I am bored at work and I was reading this Costa Rican Caravan tour company website and here's what they say about arriving in CR and passports:

Driving time to your hotel can run from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. If you take a taxi, use “Taxis Unidos Aeropuerto,” the official taxi service, and expect to pay $15.00 - $20.00 U.S. per taxi. To enter Costa Rica, you will need a U.S. passport valid for 6 additional months after the date of your arrival into Costa Rica. A 3 month tourist visa is automatically issued to U.S. citizens after clearing Costa Rica customs.

Maybe it is 6 months... but I travelled in February with 5 months left. I think it's not a problem unless somebody notices it.

This is what I've always thought. Way back, someone told me that you need to have 6 months left on your passport for entry into CR. I don't remember who it was (possibly my realtor at the time). This is exactly why I posted this statement earlier in this thread

I don't want to take the chance. I'm going to renew mine at least 6 months before expiration.
MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

How much would it suck if you got to immigration (your motor is already revved up) and you are told to turn around and get on the next plane home.

Renew those passports fellas if you have less than 6 months to go. Better safe than sorry.

I am now convinced that you need to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter CR. I am trying to book a room at a resort in Tortuguero and they sent me a "Passport Warning". I will paste it below. Read the last sentence.

IMPORTANT NOTICE PLEASE READ:
Costa Rica entrance requirements.

All foreign citizens entering Costa Rica must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date they enter the country. Citizens of the United States and many other countries do not need visas to enter Costa Rica. Citizens of countries other than the United States, Canada and the European Economic Community should check with the nearest Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate.

A word to the wise: In years past entrance requirements were much less strictly enforced than they have been lately. Airline counter personal in the country of origin are responsible for enforcing entrance requirements. Although they may still occasionally be lax, if you do not have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your date of travel, it is highly probable that they will not let you board the plane.