Obtaining a Passport | Obtaining a
Visa
Beginning December 30, 2005, the United States Department of State will be requiring passports for more and more types of travel. We encourage all cruise passengers to obtain a passport well in advance of their cruise reservations. The information below will help you alleviate any last-minute rush and expense of obtaining necessary documentation before your sailing.
OBTAINING A U.S. PASSPORT
What is a Passport?
A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that
verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is
required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of
State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
How do I apply for my First Passport?
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in
person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout
the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship,
and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post
offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices.
There are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who are
traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel.
Appointments are required in such cases.
You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the
first time; if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your
previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; or if
your previous U.S. passport was issued when you are under 16 your currently
valid U.S. passport has been lost of stolen.
For more information, visit these links on U.S. State Department
Website.
My Passport has expired or is expiring. How can I renew it?
You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available
to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15
years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or
can legally document your name change. If your passport has been, altered or
damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
For more information, visit these links on U.S. State Department
Website.
How much does a Passport cost?
The cost of a passport varies on whether or not it's your first
passport or a renewal and your age. Passport fees are non-refundable . .
Age
16 and older: The passport fee is $55. The security surcharge is $12.
The execution fee is $30. The total is $97.
Under
Age 16: The passport fee is $40. The security surcharge is $12. The
execution fee is $30. The total is $82.
You
may use this form if your previous passport:
- Was issued when you were 16 or older.
- Was issued in the last 15 years.
- Is not damaged.
- Is submitted with your application.
The
Passport fee is $55. The Security Surcharge is $12. The total fee is $67.
Note:
When applying at one of the thousands of designated application acceptance
facilities in the U.S., you pay the passport fee and the security surcharge to
the ''U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you
are applying. Acceptable forms of payment vary. When applying at a Regional
Passport Agency, both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to
the ''U.S. Department of State'' and may be paid by check (personal, certified,
travelers''), major credit card (V, MC, AE, Discover), bank draft or cashier's
check, money order (U.S. Postal, international, currency exchange), or if
abroad, the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank.
How long does it take to get a Passport?
If you are applying for a Passport in person and select
"Routine Service" you will receive your passport in the mail in about
6 (six) weeks. If you apply in person ( or by mail if renewing a passport)
and select "Expedited Service" you will receive your passport in the
mail in about 2 (two) weeks. "Expedited Service" require
an additional "rush" fee plus the cost of overnight delivery services.
For more information about applying for a passport, please
visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/
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APPLYING FOR A VISA
What is a Visa?
A visa is an authority issued by the
Embassy/Consulate of a country that permits a traveler to visit that particular
country. The majority of visas are stamped inside your passport. (A small number
of visas are either separate documents to be carried with the passport or issued
electronically.) Visas are issued with specific limitations regarding purpose of
visit, length of stay, validity of visa, etc… It is the traveler's
responsibility to obtain necessary visas for their travel itinerary.
Zierer Visa Services provides fee-based
visa service for travelers. Their website offers comprehensive information
with regards to visa requirements. Please view the VISAS section
of their site and select your country of travel to view whether or not you will
require visa.
Do I need a visa for a Cruise
Vacation?
Most countries do not require U.S.
Citizens to have a visa to travel if they are arriving by cruise ship; however,
there are exceptions. Some countries like Russia, for example, do not
require a visa unless you plan to do your own independent sight-seeing separate
from the cruise line's own, ship-organized shore excursions. Other
countries like Brazil require everyone to obtain a visa even if the passenger
does not disembark the ship in that port. If
you are staying overnight in a country before or after your cruise vacation,
some countries may require a visa as well. Please check with your travel
agent prior to booking.
How do I obtain a Visa?
The Embassies and Consulates of various
countries are authorized to grant visas. Appropriate visa documentation must be
presented to the Embassy/Consulate in proper order for the visa to be issued.
Zierer Visa Service obtains visas on travelers' behalf by submitting proper visa
documentation to the Embassy/Consulate. This eliminates the need for the
traveler to visit, communicate and correspond directly with the
Embassy/Consulate. Please view the VISAS section
and select your country of travel to determine whether or not you will require
visas for your itinerary.
Do I need to send my actual
passport?
For the majority of countries, a visa is
stamped on a visa page inside your passport. However, there are a few
exceptions. Please view the VISAS section
and select your country of travel to determine whether or not you must submit
your actual passport.
How long will it take to process
my Visa?
Various governments have strict and varied
regulations on length of visa processing time. Please view the VISAS section
and select your country of travel to determine visa processing time.
How much does a visa cost and what
is included in the cost paid to ZVS for Visas?
Total cost of visas includes service fees,
consular fees established by and paid to the appropriate consular office for
your country of travel and shipping
fees for the return of your completed
documentation. Total cost of visas will be clearly listed for you on the
downloadable instruction form located in ZVS's VISAS section.
Consular fees are subject to change without advance notice at any time by
various governments. Please note that whether or not you choose to use ZVS,
consular fees must be paid to the consulate for completion of your visa.
Do I have to use ZVS to obtain my
Visa?
No, you do not have to use ZVS to obtain your Visa. They
do have years of experience and can save you time chasing down answers, but you
can save money by obtaining your visa on your own. To obtain a visa on
your own, you must contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you are
visiting. Most will have visa procedures and costs on their
websites. For a directory of consulates, visit http://www.travelguru.net/html/consulates.html
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