Have passport, will travel (update)

Yesterday we sent you a First Alert regarding the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) passport requirement. As it turns out, the international air travel deadline has been pushed back…a whole week. Yes, now you have an additional seven days (till January 8, 2007) to get your passport. But we still caution you to not wait until the last minute.

Now through December is the best time to apply for a passport if you want to avoid rush season. Plus, some are predicting an increase of nearly four million applications this year. A few government experts aren't sure the state department will be able to keep up with the demand. Translation: greater backlog and greater delay.

If you are planning on winter travel, keep in mind that it can take up to six weeks from date of application to get your passport (first-timers only). Well, six weeks is the official line, in actuality it can take up to twelve weeks, from what we've heard. So apply sooner rather than later (i.e., now) to avoid ruining a dream vacation.

For drivers: For those of you planning to drive across the border, the land and sea deadline has been pushed back until June 1, 2009. However, the government can bring that deadline forward if a border crossing card is approved. All in all, the rush is on, deadlines have been moving and the best thing to do is…be smart and apply today.

For the latest information check out the U.S. Department of State Travel website.

Best Regards,

Marzena Romanowicz
International Living, Mexico
E-mail: Mexico@InternationalLiving.com.

P.S. There is still time to join us for our Live & Prosper in Mexico Seminar. Not registered yet? Do it now, you won't want to miss this. Come to the very fabulous San Miguel de Allende, from October 29 to 31 and stay a few days to celebrate my favorite macabre holiday…no, it isn't Halloween… Read all about it here…if you dare.