Share this @internewscast.com

Processing times for U.S. passport applications have returned to pre-pandemic levels, the State Department announced Monday.

Routine passport applications are currently processed within 6 to 8 weeks, while expedited service, which costs an additional $60, will take 2 to 3 weeks, the department said.

“With this update, we have fulfilled our commitment to return to benchmarks from March 2020,” the department said in a statement. “This reflects the work of dedicated employees working for the American people.”

Lingering pandemic-related factors and a surge in overseas travel had disrupted processing times earlier this year, scuppering plans for thousands. As recently as July, routine processing times had slowed to between 10 and 13 weeks, and 7 to 9 weeks for expedited processing. The department said that, during some weeks this summer, it had seen 400,000 applications submitted.

A department spokesperson said staffing levels had increased by 12% since Dec. 2022, with hundreds of additional staff in the hiring pipeline. Department staff have also worked tens of thousands of hours of overtime a month. From January 2023 through October 2023, the department authorized 30,000 to 40,000 overtime hours each month. It also tapped volunteers from across the department working on surge teams, including retirees and new hires adjudicating passports before reporting to other assignments.

Nearly half of all Americans, around 48%, now possess a current U.S. passport, compared with just 5% in 1990. There are now over 160 million valid U.S. passports in circulation, nearly double the amount from 2007.

While Transportation Security Administration screenings at U.S. airports continue to set records some days, there are signs that the post-pandemic “revenge travel” trend is slowing down, as flyers trim budgets amid a slowing economy.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Donald Trump being helped off stage at a campaign event.

Why a Major Tragedy Was Nearly Averted in the Trump Assassination Attempt – More Needs to Be Done

A FORMER Secret Service agent has highlighted that Donald Trump’s troubled rally…
Monday Morning Minute: Running on Empty

Start Your Week Right: Recharging When You’re Running Low

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  A recent New York Times…
Arizona wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon National Park lodge and other structures

Historic Grand Canyon National Park Lodge and Other Structures Destroyed by Arizona Wildfire

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A rapidly spreading wildfire has devastated a historic lodge…
Chinese illegal immigrant crossings that surged during Biden admin a 'national security concern,' expert warns

Expert Warns: Surge in Chinese Illegal Immigration During Biden Administration Poses ‘National Security Concern’

A border security expert has raised alarms over the significant influx of…
Waterspout over rooftops.

Severe Weather in Spain: Flooding Halts Search for Two Missing and Lightning Strikes Woman, Waterspout Photo Surfaces

SPAIN has been pummelled by devastating freak storms and floods, with two…
Aerial view of a burned-out airplane at London Southend Airport.

Four Killed in Fiery Crash as Medical Jet Spirals Out of Control and Crashes at Southend Airport

FOUR people have reportedly been killed after a plane crashed at Southend…
Boat fire on St. Johns River sends 5 into the water, all rescued

Boat Catches Fire on St. Johns River Sending 5 People Overboard, All Safely Rescued

St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the fire happened around 12:15 p.m.…
German doctor on trial, accused of killing 15 patients

German Doctor on Trial for Allegedly Killing 15 Patients

The physician, previously engaged with a nursing service’s end-of-life care team in…
Senate GOP Plans Another Bite of the Reconciliation Apple, and Guess Who's Opposed

Senate Republicans Try Again with Reconciliation, but Opposition Arises

The One Big Beautiful Bill has been approved and signed into law…
Biden defends controversial autopen use for mass clemency decisions in NYT interview

In NYT Interview, Biden Explains Use of Autopen for Widespread Clemency Decisions

Former President Joe Biden explained his reasoning behind using an autopen in…
Ellen DeGeneres supports Rosie O'Donnell as Donald Trump threatens to strip her US citizenship

Ellen DeGeneres Stands by Rosie O’Donnell Amid Donald Trump’s Threats to Revoke Her US Citizenship

Ellen DeGeneres has thrown her support behind Rosie O’Donnell after President Trump…
A gang surrounding a car, attacking the driver.

Drake’s Rapper Friend Stabbed in London Post-Concert Amid Horrifying Scene of Crowd Attacking Car and Shattering Windshield

A RAPPER was stabbed hours after watching Drake’s final Wireless Festival set.…