Starting Wednesday, Americans seeking to renew their passports will have the option to do so online, as the nationwide rollout of a two-month beta program commences, according to a U.S. official.
The U.S. Department of State has bolstered its workforce, enlisted experts, and enhanced its website in an effort to address the escalating demand for consular services, which includes passport renewals and the issuance of travel visas.
"Tomorrow marks the first time ever that online passport renewal will be available across the entire country," Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma stated at a travel conference in New York.
Approximately 200,000 individuals participated in the beta phase, and the State Department anticipates that nearly 50% of renewals will transition to online processing in the near future.
However, there are specific eligibility criteria for utilizing the digital renewal application, including being physically located within the United States. Additionally, passports that have been expired for over five years are not eligible for online renewal, as Verma clarified.
Regarding processing times, Verma noted, "It won't necessarily be faster."
