The modern passport contains many characteristics that enhance
the appearance and safety aspects for travel. These ensure that tourists
can have a smooth passage into the country of destination.
Essentials:
Every regular US passport contains a few standard features - a blue
cover page with the Great Seal of America affixed on it, a personal data
page and a page carrying the signature of the bearer and a message from
the US Secretary of State requesting permission to enter a foreign
country.
The passport covers for diplomats and officials, however,
differ from regular ones. Each passport contains a standard of 32 pages,
or 52 pages for frequent flyers such as businessmen.
Visa access:
Some countries, such as China and Australia, require visas for entry
into the country. The time taken and cost for visa application varies
from country to country. A vast majority of countries in the world,
including most of Europe and Japan, do not require any prior visas to
enter.
For information as to whether to apply for a visa, do remember to
check the Foreign Affairs website of the country you re about to visit,
or simply enquire with your travel agent.
Safety: The new US
passport now contains an electronic chip that stores all your bio-data
and passport information. This is not only to ensure that no changes are
made to the passport illegally, but also to allow for a faster checkout
at the immigrations.
Passport card: An alternative to the
passport booklet is the passport card, specifically for travel to
countries in North American - Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean.
It might be a good idea to apply for a card instead of a standard
booklet if you are traveling to these countries, since it is not only
more portable, but also cheaper.
Validity: Both booklets and cards are valid for 10 years for an adult, or 5 years for a minor under 16 years of age.
Application:
Applying for a passport can be done in person at any passport agency or
acceptance facility. Current costs for an adult passport booklet are
$100 and $85 for minors, or $45 for an adult passport card and $25 for
minors. Passport renewals can be done through the internet and mail.
These are just some of the basics of a US passport, and would serve any traveler well when using or trying to obtain one.
C.L. Hendricks has been a Jill-of-all-trades and become an expert
in some. She has also traveled extensively and now writes about travel
destinations around the world for How to Get a Passport
[http://www.how-to-get-a-passport.com] and other travel sites as Web Content Provider.
