Bad Timing? Passport Needed - Christmas Travel

[thetreble 19]

hey guys!

So yesterday I went for my interview, passed and then took my oath all in the same day. I was not aware that the Newark, NJ office did same day oaths so I was a little caught off guard. I figured Id have my PR card through Decemeber so could travel.

I have holiday travel plans to leave in mid-December but now I have an issue of no passport. My resolve to this was that I was going to make an appointment with the NYC Passport Agency that issues same day passports. However, you need to show proof of travel. I am driving, not flying, so don't have an airline ticket. Its a personal visit, not business, so I have nothing from my employer. I'm disgruntled because I made a bunch of plans and was really looking forward to seeing my family.

Any thoughts?

[Zen Den 18]

hey guys!

So yesterday I went for my interview, passed and then took my oath all in the same day. I was not aware that the Newark, NJ office did same day oaths so I was a little caught off guard. I figured Id have my PR card through Decemeber so could travel.

I have holiday travel plans to leave in mid-December but now I have an issue of no passport. My resolve to this was that I was going to make an appointment with the NYC Passport Agency that issues same day passports. However, you need to show proof of travel. I am driving, not flying, so don't have an airline ticket. Its a personal visit, not business, so I have nothing from my employer. I'm disgruntled because I made a bunch of plans and was really looking forward to seeing my family.

Any thoughts?

thanks for posting this...i could end up in the same situation as you hehe

anyway, how about calling uscis about your predicament? i'm sure (more like i hope, really ) they have a solution to situations like this =)

[Lili 3]

Just tell them your are driving to canada on such and such dates. I did the same thing last week. I went to the seattle passport office on the 23, told them thwart I was driving to canada on december third. Just received the passport yesterday. They are used to people doing that.

[ryna 132]

Expedited service is running 2-3 weeks as of today. This may get you what you need in time depending on your travel date. Of course, it costs more and the 2-3 week estimate assumes overnight delivery (paid for by you) on both ends.

good luck

[Oksana & Max 94]

Also since you are driving to Canada you can just use your Citizenship Certificate that you receieved it is an official document and allows you to cross the border. We did that with my sister, when we went to Mexico, we were also driving, and had no problems in and out.

[thetreble 19]

Also since you are driving to Canada you can just use your Citizenship Certificate that you receieved it is an official document and allows you to cross the border. We did that with my sister, when we went to Mexico, we were also driving, and had no problems in and out.

Really? When did you do this? I thought you had to have a US passport to get back into the US from anywhere if you are a US citizen. If this is the case, you have solved my problem!

[v333k 59]

See if you have a local passport processing center - if you can prove your travel plans, you are allowed to apply in person and get the passport on the same day.

[thetreble 19]

I found this on the travel.gov website so I guess you guys got lucky?

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

See if you have a local passport processing center - if you can prove your travel plans, you are allowed to apply in person and get the passport on the same day.

We do have one in New York City. This is what I want to do. I called them and they said the only acceptable proof are hotel reservations, air line reservations, etc. I feel like I might as well just book a hotel to prove I'm going, even though I'm staying with my family.

[nwctzn 55]

I found this on the travel.gov website so I guess you guys got lucky?

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

We do have one in New York City. This is what I want to do. I called them and they said the only acceptable proof are hotel reservations, air line reservations, etc. I feel like I might as well just book a hotel to prove I'm going, even though I'm staying with my family.

Good idea! I would definitely travel with a US passport to avoid any surprises when crossing the border.

Edited November 30, 2011 by nwctzn

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

They will not refuse you a passport just because you are driving instead of flying.

[xxhwx 2]

I learned a trick from some people on this forum (or the other one) who went to apply for same-day passport not for the sake of traveling, but for the sake of cutting down the usual 2-3 wks waiting period. Apparently (don't know if they still do that) some airlines offer 24-hour no penalty cancellation, meaning you can cancel your ticket for a full refund as long as you do that within 24 hours from the time you make the reservation. So basically you reserve the ticket online, print out a copy of it, bring it to the passport processing center with you in the morning, show them the proof of travel, submit your documentations, receive your passport in the afternoon, go home and cancel your reservation online all in the same day.

Hope this helps, best of luck!

[xxhwx 2]

US airways has this service

"US Airways will allow a customer to cancel a purchased ticket for a full refund without penalty for up to 24 hours after purchase. This policy applies to refundable as well as non-refundable fares."

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/customersfirst/customerserviceplan.html

Delta

"Risk-free Cancellation

As part of our Best Fare Guarantee, you can now get a refund for most eTickets purchased directly through Delta with travel originating in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada. You don’t even have to call.

Once you've bought a qualifying eTicket, you have a day to cancel it for any reason and receive a full refund—including any prepaid fees and Direct Ticketing Charges—with no cancellation fee."

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/ticket_changes_refunds/risk_free_cancellation/index.jsp

Continental too

"Continental’s 24-hour Flexible Booking policy allows the flexibility to make changes to your reservations within 24 hours of purchasing your ticket, without incurring change fees. This includes canceling your reservation and requesting a 100% refund of the ticket price."

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/onepass/promotions/registrationDetails.aspx?promoCode=A5753

Enjoy your Christmas with your family lol

[Mama mia 9]

Some airlines will display your itenarary before prompting you to pay for the ticket online. This is acceptable proof of travel.

One night hotel stay reservation is also cheaper than paying the airline for the full ticket. Always check the refund policy.

[Gypsyangel 11]

This is a much more convoluted idea, but if you're desperate ... you could go to Canada with your Canadian passport, have your new U.S. passport delivered to a U.S. address and have someone Fedex your new passport to you in Canada.

[xxhwx 2]

"This is a much more convoluted idea, but if you're desperate ... you could go to Canada with your Canadian passport, have your new U.S. passport delivered to a U.S. address and have someone Fedex your new passport to you in Canada."

By law, a US citizen is REQUIRED to depart and enter the US with a valid US passport, whether you have a passport from another country or not.

"Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html