Thursday, October 20th
2022 Passport Service Reviews
Passport Visas Express
- $699 for proicessing in 5-7 business days
- "A+" rated by the BBB
- In business for over 20 years
- Over 5,000 five-star client ratings
- A la carte services include document preparation and personal concierge
For more than 20 years, Passport Visas Express has offered exceptional, reliable service for getting expedited visas and passports. Your application is hand-carried to the US Passport Agency, Embassy, or Consulate necessary to get your documents approved and returned to you as quickly as possible.
$699 for 5-7 days on new and renewal passport applications
We were surprised to see that the only passport service on offer at the time of this evaluation was PVE's expedited (urgent) tier for $699. That included a 5-7 business day turnaround timeframe and was available for both new passports and renewals, minors and adults, and every other passport type. Until they once again offer their other services and timeframes, you'll need to choose a different service if you want to pay less (and have the process take longer), but Passport Visas Express' fees for that time period are very competitive - you might pay that amount and have it take twice as long to arrive when you go with another provider.
Read the requirements closely
When you've selected the type of passport you need in the dropdown box, go through the application requirements very meticulously. For example, on an urgent child passport, there are eleven items you need to go over, from having a Letter of Authorization to proof of citizenship and parent proof of identity.
Additional services if you want more help
There are also extra services you can access for a fee. Document preparation gives you a one-on-one walk-through of your application over the phone; they'll fill in all of the required information and digitally send you the professionally-prepared document for your signature and submission. You can also choose the concierge tier of service if you'd rather not do any of your passport application online: your representative will take care of literally everything over the phone, including processing the payment. We're not sure that's worth an extra $200 to us.
Get the code to complete your order
There's one very critical difference in the passport services offered by Passport Visas Express, compared with rival providers. When you click to continue your order, you'll be informed that the US Passport Agency has a limited number of emergency processing slots every day. In order to guarantee the processing time you've requested, you'll have to call PVE's toll-free number to reserve a slot (Monday through Friday, 9A-6P Eastern). You'll get a code from the support agent that you'll enter on the website to continue your order.
Wait until Monday
So, if you're trying to process your passport application on the weekend, you're going to have to wait until Monday to finish the order. That may seem like a lot of extra hoops to jump through, but we at least love the fact that they're making absolutely sure they can meet your timeframe - and not just accepting your money and hoping they can make it work on time (don't laugh: you'll see that with some of the lower-ranked services in our reviews).
Visas for over 150 countries
And, if you need a visa for your travels, PVE has you covered. Just visit the Visa page, select your destination from over 150 countries whose embassies they work with, and follow the process outlined on the site. It's just that easy.
Unparalleled reputation for service
As you would hope for in a #1-rated passport service, Passport Visas Express has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, and no complaints filed there. Beyond that, PVE's clients have given this company more than 5,000 five-star ratings, many of which come from travelers who have used it more than once for passports and visas over the years. Time and again, Passport Visas Express offers excellent customer support, quick results, and no ugly surprises along the way.
#1 choice for passport services
We're happy to continue giving Passport Visas Express our highest ranking among passport services. Even with just one level of service - namely, expedited passports within 5-7 business days - they still do a better job than many of their competitors, and for a comparable price. We trust Passport Visas Express to get the job done right on time, every time.
Fastport Passport
- More than 1.2 million customers since 2003
- Turnaround times from 1-8 weeks
- Additional passport protection available
- 90% of customers rate this service with 5 stars
- Easy online platform and tools for filling out the application
- Real-time updates at every step
For almost 20 years, Fastport Passport has been a trusted source of visa and passport processing. Their experts secure more than 100 passports, visas and international driving permits every single day, with a success rate over 99.9%.
You'll get your money's worth
Fastport Passport has really reasonable fees for expediting your passport application. You'll pay $799 for their one-week emergency service, $599 for their two-week priority service, $189 for five-week basic expedited services, and $109 for an eight-week "smart" service (that walks through the application and makes sure you won't have any errors that would delay your approval). As you place your order, you can include passport protection for $19.95, which covers an expedited replacement if your passport is ever lost, stolen, or damaged.
Available processing times depend on passport type
At the time of this review, not all processing speeds were available for every passport type. The fees and speeds we referenced earlier applied to renewals and name changes only. If you need a new passport, a replacement for one that's been lost or stolen, a child's passport, or a second passport, your only choices would be the 5-week and 8-week services.
Choose your shipping speed - and order quickly
When you walk through the order process, Fastport Passport puts you on a timer at the top of the screen (is the pressure really necessary?). You'll put in your information: travel destination, desired processing speed, and the outbound shipping option you prefer ($29.95 for standard overnight, $54.95 for priority overnight, and $64.95 for priority overnight on a Saturday). The inbound shipping is selected by default; on our 1-week emergency passport processing, it was $54.95.
Smooth online application
Once you've paid for your services, you'll be given access to FP's online application wizard on the govWorks platform. There, you'll create your application, download the custom PDF packet, and even use their iOS mobile app to take your new passport photos with your iPhone. Then, use your prepaid FedEx label to send in your documents for processing, where they'll be hand-delivered to the US Passport Agency. You'll get real-time updates at every step of the way.
Fees
- $799 for 1-week emergency service
- $599 for 2-week priority service
- $189 for 5-week expedited service
- $109 for 8-week "smart" service
- Government fees not included
5-star ratings from 90% of clients
Although the Better Business Bureau has given this company a "just okay" rating of "B+" for having 26 complaints filed there over the last three years, we're not overly concerned: every issue received an appropriate response, and most of the complaints were a year or more old. In contrast, more than 90% of people who use Fastport Passport have given the service a five-star rating when you look in other places - and many of those reviews were left within a few days of our evaluation. Fast, transparent, and on time are just a few ways clients described Fastport Passport over the last few months. It's a breath of fresh air to see a passport service that is still working hard to process documents quickly, despite significant delays at the State Department.
Excellent choice for expediting your passport application
Expediting a passport application doesn't have to be confusing or expensive. This service does an excellent job of providing the right mix of transparency, affordability and speed. For that reason, Fastport Passport continues to earn one of our highest ratings.
Travel Visa Pro
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- Almost 1,000 five-star client reviews
- More than 12 years of experience
- Well-trained staff available nights and weekends
- 2-3 day service available
Travel Visa Pro places strong emphasis on having an available, well-trained team that's ready to help you get your passport processed. With support available on nights and weekends, you can rest assured that if you need assistance, you'll get it here.
Processing available in as fast as 2-3 days
You can get your passport in a hurry with Travel Visa Pro, but it's going to cost you a pretty penny for the fastest service: $2,499 for 2-3 days of processing time, or $1,799 for 5-6 days. When you move into the longer timeframes, the fees are more comparable with other services we evaluated: $799 for 8-10 days, $499 for three weeks, and so on. Government fees aren't included, but FedEx 2nd Day shipping is. Also, those timeframes and prices apply to passport renewals; at the time of this evaluation, new passports were being offered with 2-3 day, 5-6 day, and 8-10 day processing times, for the fees we just mentioned.
Follow the directions
The passport expediting process is straightforward here. Choose your processing time, and then be sure to click through all of the document requirements at the bottom of the page to make sure you know what you'll need. For example, do you have two passport-style photographs? You'll either need to get those taken or choose TVP's concierge service or document pre-check, which will allow you to upload hi-res digital photos and have your support rep print them out for you. How about proof of travel? Follow the directions and you should be a-ok.
DIY service is a good helping hand
If you don't have "proof of imminent travel" but you'd still like someone to look over your application and make sure you don't experience delays (due to errors or omissions in filling out the forms or including all of the required documentation), you can pay $99 for Travel Visa Pro's "Do It Yourself" package. It includes the form fill service, document pre-check, appointment setup, 15-minute professional phone/video consultation, and a passport expediting checklist.
Fees
- $2,499 for 2-3 days processing time
- $1,799 for 5-6 days processing time
- $799 for 8-10 days processing time
- $499 for 3 weeks processing time
- $299 for 4 weeks processing time
- $149 for 8 weeks processing time
- $99 DIY service
- Government fees not included
- Free FedEx 2nd Day shipping included
Great reputation
Travel Visa Pro is proud of its reputation with the Better Business Bureau: "A+" rated and accredited, with just two complaints filed there in the last three years (none of which were within the 12 months prior to this review). That's a solid track record. Outside of the BBB, this passport service gets lots of love from its clients: nearly 1,000 five-star reviews, many of which came from the weeks leading up to this evaluation. TVP gets praise for its excellent customer service, on-time delivery of passports and visas, and solid communication throughout the whole process.
Worth the money
Yes, you pay more for the super-fast passport services at Travel Visa Pro, but at least they're available. This service gives you passport processing you can rely on, backed by a knowledgeable support team that's committed to getting you where you need to go on time.
TDS
- In business for 30+ years
- Almost 4,000 five-star reviews
- Emergency 10-day processing available for renewals and second passports
- Limited availability for new/replacement passports and children's renewals
TDS is short for Travel Document Systems, a visa and passport processing agency with offices throughout the US. For more than 30 years, this company has helped individual and corporate international travelers to obtain the documents they need, specializing in travel that requires visas for multiple countries.
Passport processing in 10 days, maybe faster
At the time of our evaluation, TDS had a prominently-posted notice on the homepage. It explained that they were only able to offer expedited 4-8 week processing on adult renewal and second passport requests through their offices in DC, San Francisco, Houston, and Seattle; emergency 10-day processing on those passport types through DC, San Francisco, and Seattle; and limited emergency processing on new first-time passports, children's renewals, and replacement lost/stolen/mutilated passports. However, when we went into the Renewals order process, we still saw an option for "critical" processing of 1-2 business days (and we were able to put our order through, despite the notice saying that 10 days was the fastest available timeframe).
Competitively-priced passport services
Pricing on passport services through TDS is comparable to its competitors. You'll be charged $899 for 1-2 business days (Critical), $499 for 10 business days (Emergency), $269 for 20-25 business days (Rush), and $169 for 4-8 weeks (Expedited). That doesn't include any government fees, but those are clearly spelled out when you get to the checkout page.
Shipping fees depend on timeframe
As you go through the ordering process, you can choose how you'll get your documents to and from TDS. The easiest route is to get a printable FedEx shipping label for $32 to deliver your paperwork, and then choose the delivery speed you need (including Saturday delivery if necessary). Expect your shipping fees to be about $75 round-trip.
BBB rating is low but not concerning
We weren't thrilled to see that TDS has a "D-" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the BBB says that rating is because of TDS' failure to respond to just two complaints out of three filed in the three years leading up to this evaluation: not great, but not a big red flag either.
Fees
- $899 for 1-2 business days (Critical)
- $499 for 10 business days (Emergency)
- $269 for 20-25 business days (Rush)
- $169 for 4-8 weeks (Expedited)
- Government fees and shipping not included
Thousands of positive reviews from satisfied clients
In other places, we found thousands of five-star reviews from very happy, long-term users of TDS' passport and visa services. While we still saw a handful of complaints, the vast majority of people who were counting on TDS to deliver on time were not disappointed. We didn't see as many recent reviews as we might have liked - but, let's face it, travel has been hit-or-miss over the last few years, and not as many people have needed passports and visas.
Solid choice among passport services
Overall, TDS is a service we can recommend if you need to get a passport. Despite the low rating from the BBB, they get plenty of compliments from satisfied clients. We also appreciate how upfront they are about what services they can provide, so that customers don't get their hopes up at a time when passports may be taking longer to process. Give TDS a look if you need some help getting your passport application submitted and approved.
Fast Passport Center
- Over 350,000 clients served
- Services include new passports, renewals, child passports, lost/stolen passport replacements, name changes, and second passports
- Price Match Guarantee
- Lost & Stolen Insurance available
- 25+ years of experience as a passport/visa courier
Fast Passport Center may be able to get your passport or visa processed faster than any other service. They've got preferred relationships with more than 200 foreign embassies and consulates, and with their primary office in DC plus additional processing centers across the US, you'll have a whole team of people who can help you get your documents quickly.
Many types of passports serviced here
There are a lot of services you can take advantage of at Fast Passport Center. At the time of this review, the fastest available turnaround time was one week on all passport types: New, Renewal, Child, Name Change, Lost/Stolen, and Second (for those whose travels encounter special circumstances, like not being able to get into certain Middle Eastern countries if the passport has entry/exit stamps from Israel).
Price matching is a possibility
You'll pay $895 for a one-week timeframe, $795 for two weeks, and on renewals you also have the option of paying $185 for a 4- to 5-week turnaround or $145 for 5- to 7-week processing. None of these services include the mandatory government fees or shipping ($80 for an emergency renewal). Also, Fast Passport Center has a Price Match Guarantee: be sure to reach out if you see the services you need offered for lower fees somewhere else.
Simple process for placing your order
To get started, choose the type of passport you need from among the types we mentioned previously and fill in the requested information. For example, on renewals, you'll enter your name and contact information, your destination and departure date (if known). You may also want to consider FPC's Lost & Stolen Insurance: for $29, it'll cover passport replacement if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged going to or from their location, plus for five years after the issue date. Enter your payment information and submit your order. From there, your case will be assigned to an FPC agent; check your email for a pre-addressed FedEx label to send in your passport (if you already have one), photos, and other required documents.
No longer one of our highest-ranking services
We've had to drop Fast Passport Center significantly in our rankings. Since our last evaluation of this passport service, the company went from having an "A+" grade and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau to being "under review" . That's not usually a good sign. (And, as a side note, the site's link to the company's Twitter account revealed that it had been suspended; their Facebook page was still up and running, but with no posts after April 2021.)
Fees
- $895 for 1-week processing (emergency)
- $795 for 2-week processing (fast)
- $185 for 4- to 5-week processing (rush) (renewal only)
- $145 for 5- to 7-week processing (smart saver) (renewal only)
- Government fees and shipping costs not included
Outdated website info, and too busy for phone calls?
We also noticed that the banner ads at the top of the page included a fundraiser for disaster relief - for an event that had happened nearly three years earlier. Concerned that Fast Passport Center had gone out of business, we called their toll-free number during regular business hours. Fortunately, the recorded message was up-to-date and let us know that they couldn't help us if we were traveling within the next four days - but also that they were "too busy" to take phone calls, and we should use their contact form instead. Not a good option for anyone in a last-minute situation.
Still gets positive feedback from clients
Fast Passport Center was kept from plunging lower in our rankings because of the client reviews we found within the six months prior to this review. Even during a time of extremely long processing delays, one client was able to get their passport turned around within a week - more than enough time to go on a trip that was two weeks away. Another customer gave the perspective that you might not get an immediate response here because of how busy their staff is (as we noted from our phone call), but that it's still a passport service that delivers in a pinch.
Good but not great anymore
If you can overlook some of its flaws, Fast Passport Center could still be an excellent resource if you need a passport in a hurry. We're keeping this service in the "just average" category for now, until we see what happens with their BBB listing and their way out-of-date banners on the site. But, if you're not finding what you need with one of the higher-ranked companies in our evaluation, FPC might be worth trying.
Fast Passports and Visas
- Passport and visa service
- Over 30 years of experience
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
Fast Passports and Visas is a fairly generic passport service. Based in Texas, the company has over 30 years of experience and can help you get a passport within 5-7 business days at the fastest.
Conflicting info regarding available services
Fast Passports and Visas may be very limited in what they offer with respect to passports. On the Order page, it said that they only do renewals, second passports, and name change services: none for minors or new passport holders, and maybe not even services for lost/stolen passports either (unless they count that as a renewal). Then again, we could click through on other parts of the site to process applications for all of the passport types that were listed as excluded. Very confusing at best.
Choose between two processing speeds
One plus is that you'll see very streamlined pricing here. You'll pay $399 for a turnaround time of 8-10 business days or $499 for 5-7 business days. This isn't a service you'll be able to use if you need anything faster than that.
You'll see more fees during checkout
But, those quoted prices weren't reflected in what we were actually charged. In the itemized list, our $499 package wound up being a total of $767.32. There was a line item of "Passport Process Expediting" for an additional $208.32 (without identifying that was for governmental fees, not just another amount paid to Fast Passports and Visas), plus $60 for the default of shipping via FedEx Standard Overnight to and from FPV's offices.
Fees
- $499 for 5-7 business days
- $399 for 8-10 business days
- Government fees and shipping not included
Positive but limited feedback
We were happy to see that Fast Passports and Visas has been accredited and "A+" rated by the Better Business Bureau, with zero complaints filed there. On the other hand, we couldn't find much customer feedback that was less than two years old: not on FPV's Facebook account, nothing on the BBB listing, and only one comment on sites where people leave reviews about businesses. We were glad to see one customer within the two months prior to this review who said she visited Fast Passports and Visas in person and got the help she needed to get her passport in hand within a week - even during a time when passports were typically taking a month or longer to process.
There are better options to consider first
This isn't the best or the worst passport service out there. We'd need to see a lot more customer feedback before recommending Fast Passports and Visas more strongly, and there are no options here for anything under a week (though that was fairly common at the time of this review, across the industry). We suggest looking at a higher-ranked provider before choosing Fast Passports and Visas.
Expedited Passports and Visas
- New, renewal, child and lost passport services
- 100% money-back service guarantee on courier fees
- In business since 2014
- Over 50,000 passports and visas processed
Expedited Passports and Visas has processed over 50,000 passport and visa applications since 2014. With headquarters in Florida and courier offices in most major cities, this service aims to be fast and professional.
Much more expensive
This is one of the most expensive passport services we evaluated: there's no option here that will cost you less than $1,000. That would be marginally acceptable if there was an overnight passport option, but the fastest processing speed offered by Expedited Passports and Visas is a leisurely 5-7 business days (for a whopping $1,450). You'll pay about half that with most competitor companies.
Limited money-back guarantee
Expedited Passports and Visas offers a 100% money-back guarantee, but it's got a fairly lengthy list of eligibility requirements and exceptions. Generally speaking, it only covers their end of the transaction (the courier aspect of the passport process) and doesn't guarantee that you'll get your passport in the selected timeframe if the State Department is running behind schedule.
Visas available for many countries, minus India
You can also get visa service here. This company specializes in visas for Brazil, China, Russia and Ghana; other countries are available on request. However, Expedited Passports and Visas specifically said that India is excluded from the nations where they offer visa processing.
Low rating from the BBB
Like several passport services we researched, Expedited Passports and Visas has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau for failing to respond to two complaints. They're the only complaints the company had received in the three years leading up to this evaluation, and we don't think that's a big warning sign of any kind.
Fees
- $1,450 for 5-7 business days
- $1,250 for 8-9 business days
- $1,050 for 10-15 business days (renewals only)
- Government fees not included
Hard to find current, positive reviews from clients
No problem, we can always check customer reviews on the site and around the internet. Or not. Clicking on the "reviews from actual customers" link on the EPV site took us to a page that said that the company is no longer collecting client feedback. Okay, then. And, looking elsewhere to see what we could find, we came up relatively empty: most of the feedback in 2019 and earlier was positive, but the few reviews after that were almost entirely negative.
Outdated fees on display
Another thing that had us raising our eyebrows was with respect to the listed State Department-required passport fees. Expedited Passports and Visas had pricing that didn't seem to have been updated since the 2020 fee increases. Is anyone actually using this passport service?
Could be much better
If you choose Expedited Passports and Visas, you'll spend more money and possibly get very little value for it. Travelers are hardly turning to this passport service when they need fast, cost-effective help with their applications, and there's no good reason to choose EPV over our higher-rated providers. This company has a lot of room for improvement.
Passports and Visas
- In business since 1992
- More than 2 million passport applications expedited
- Services available for new passports, renewals, child passports, name changes, second passports, and lost/stolen passports
- A la carte services include document pre-check, concierge, digital photo conversion to passport photo, and protection plan
Passports and Visas has been around since 1992, processing over two million passport applications since then. You can access every type of passport processing here, from new applications and renewals to name changes, second passports, and more. This company has offices throughout the US, including DC, Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Denver, and they serve clients nationwide.
Very competitive service fees
What can you expect to pay for your passport service here? As always, that depends on your desired turnaround speed: $799 for emergency service (5 days), $749 for priority service (7 days), $699 for rush service (10 days), and $149 for expert consulting (60 days). Shipping fees (typically $29 each way) and government-mandated fees aren't included in those costs.
A la carte services worth checking out
There are several add-ons you can consider with your passport service. For $49, you can get a document pre-check to make sure your application is accurate and ready to be submitted; it's completed within two business hours. For $99, you can take advantage of Passports and Visas' VIP concierge service, giving you extra hand-holding and attention as you go through the passport process. There's also a protection plan for $14.95 that gets you expedited replacement if your passport is ever lost, stolen, or damaged. Our favorite a la carte option is the digital photo service: instead of making a trip to the drugstore or somewhere else to get those pesky regulation passport photos, just send in a photo from home and they'll format it perfectly for your application. That service is a bargain at $7.95.
Worst reputation
Out of all of the passport services we evaluated, Passports and Visas has the worst reputation with the Better Business Bureau: not just an "F" but over 30 complaints that received no response from the company. That surprised us, given that this company proudly displays an "excellent" rating over 9,200 user reviews collected on a third-party site. However, when we actually visited that site, Passports and Visas had almost 1,000 reviews and a much less impressive 3.7 out of 5-star "average" rating.
Fees
- $799 for emergency service (5 days)
- $749 for priority service (7 days)
- $699 for rush service (10 days)
- $149 for expert consulting (60 days)
- Government fees and shipping not included
Recent reviews are a big disappointment
In the nearly 800 reviews between then and now, almost every customer complained that this service is total garbage. Poor communication, double charging of fees, late deliveries, and lacking attention to detail are just a few reasons the most recent reviews were almost all one star (with many individuals saying they'd go lower if they could).
Doesn't do right by its clients lately
Yes, Passports and Visas may have helped more than two million people with their passport applications over the last 30 years. But, there's no reason why they should be failing to respond to complaints at the BBB, and with the overwhelming number of negative reviews coming in over the last few months, we're left wondering if this company is failing to live up to its three-decade history. This isn't the absolute worst passport service we've found, but it could definitely use some work.
Visa HQ
- Services for new, renewal, child, second, lost/stolen, and name change passports
- Helpful tool for determining visa requirements
- Return shipping included in the passport fees
- In business since 2003
VisaHQ is headquartered "in the heart of Embassy Row" in Washington, DC. In business since 2003, this service includes all passport types plus visas for just about every country that has a consulate in the United States.
Every passport type and visas for 200+ countries
VisaHQ offers every passport service you could possibly need. That includes new passports and renewals, minors, name changes, second passports, and replacement of lost/stolen/damaged ones. If you think you'll also need a visa, use the handy tool on the main page to indicate your citizenship and the country you're planning to visit: VisaHQ will display any known entry requirements. The available visa types, processing times, validity period and costs will be displayed right on the screen.
No fees displayed until you enter your order
With passports, however, you won't know what to expect with fees at VisaHQ until you walk through the order form. Select which type of passport you need (new or renewal), enter your travel dates, and select your shipping type. This is one of a small number of companies we found that include your return shipping in the passport fees - as they should, when you're paying anywhere from $499 to $999 for the service, depending on the speed you've requested (ranging from 1-3 to 8-10 business days).
An "F" from the BBB
VisaHQ offers every passport service you could possibly need. That includes new passports and renewals, minors, name changes, second passports, and replacement of lost/stolen/damaged ones. If you think you'll also need a visa, use the handy tool on the main page to indicate your citizenship and the country you're planning to visit: VisaHQ will display any known entry requirements. The available visa types, processing times, validity period and costs will be displayed right on the screen.
Fees
- $999 for 1-3 business days
- $699 for 4-7 business days
- $499 for 8-10 business days
- Government fees and inbound shipping not included
Very poor feedback in recent reviews
Then again, maybe the BBB was on to something, because the recent customer comments we found were numerous - and negative. One client described VisaHQ as "expensive, horrible, incompetent and non-responsive" , and that's coming from someone who had used this service successfully in the past. Other reports describe passports that are supposed to take 5-7 business days still being unaccounted for at the three-week mark, no one answering phone calls at VisaHQ, and difficult-to-get refunds for services that were never delivered. Do you want to entrust your passport to a company that's frequently described as a scam? We wouldn't.
Not a service we'd choose anymore
We're disappointed that VisaHQ has taken such a nosedive in the years since our last review, going from an "A+" to an "F" at the BBB and getting numerous complaints from travelers who used to rely on this service for fast (if expensive) passport and visa processing. We think you should choose a passport service whose recent client feedback is much more positive, and stay away from VisaHQ.
Travisa
- Fees undisclosed
- Passport and visa service
- Serves individual and corporate clients
- "A-" rated by the BBB
- In business for over 50 years
Travisa is a travel visa and passport service that has been in business for over 50 years. Owned by parent company CIBT, Travisa has a client base that includes individual travelers, cruise and tour customers, and employees of large corporations traveling for business. According to the company, more than five million travelers have used this service to get the travel documents they need.
Most passport services require a phone call to start
While Travisa may have been the best of the best several years ago - the company received awards in 2011-2014 from Travel Weekly and Business Travel - they haven't really kept up with the competition. You'll see that right off the bat when you look at the Passport Services page: the only option you can start immediately is a renewal of a passport that was issued after you turned 16. All other services, from first-time passports to name changes, require you to call Travisa to begin the process.
Fees only disclosed after you pay
Even the renewal service leaves a lot to be desired. When you click the button there, you're taken to an online form (hey, at least that's better than the PDF form we were given in our last review of Travisa) to enter your name, birthdate, contact information, passport details"¦and your credit card. What will you be charged? How quickly will you get your passport? Travisa tells you absolutely none of that before taking your payment info. We went through the site from top to bottom, even the Terms and Conditions, but there was never any mention of what this company charges for any of its services.
Hardly any recent ratings
It all leaves us wondering how five million people could have used Travisa for passports and visas. We thought maybe they do a fantastic job with their established corporate clients, and that could be the case, but overall customer feedback for this company is mediocre at best. Although Travisa has an "A-" rating from the Better Business Bureau and very few complaints filed there, everywhere else we looked showed a typical average of just 2.5 out of 5 stars from client ratings. Most of those were several years old, giving the impression that Travisa isn't really doing a brisk business now, and there were lots of complaints about undisclosed fees (like we mentioned), getting double-charged for services, and poor customer service.
Lowest-ranked passport service
There's no reason to use Travisa when there are many other passport services that make it much easier to get your documents. We're not sure why anyone would provide their payment details without having any clue what they're going to be charged - and maybe that's why we couldn't find any client reviews within the last year or two. Since you have higher-rated options to choose from, you should avoid using Travisa to get your passport.
FAQs
What is the top right box on passport application? ›
Answer: The small box in the top right corner of passport application Form DS-11 is not to be filled in by the applicant but by the acceptance agent at the location where you submit the form.
What is the best time to check passport appointment? ›Try searching at around these times: 6AM – 8AM, 12NN, and 9PM. Available slots usually appear at these times, from Mondays to Saturdays (except holidays).
Do you have to send your old passport back when renewing online UK? ›If you're renewing or replacing a passport
You must bring your old passport to the Post Office if you still have it.
Call us at 1-877-487-2778.
Should I fill out my passport application in all caps? ›Fill the form in Capital letters, print and sign. Do not print back to back.
Should I staple the 2 pages of my passport application? ›Please note: Staple the photo to the application. Please use 4 staples vertically in the corners as close to the outer edges as possible.
What should I wear for my passport photo? ›The State Department wants your photo to be "taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis." However, no uniforms, or clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing is allowed. You also can't wear a hat or head covering in your photo.
How many days should I pay my passport appointment? ›If the DFA appointment is not paid for within 24 hours after booking, your appointment will be automatically canceled.
Who are qualified for walk in passport application? ›- Senior citizens: senior citizen identification card (may be accompanied by one adult)
- Pregnant applicants: proof of pregnancy (medical certificate)
- Persons with disabilities: valid PWD identification card.
- Solo parents: valid solo parent identification card.
You will need to send in your old passport if you are renewing online (or take it in with you if you are applying in person at the Post Office), though the old (cancelled) passport will be returned to you with your new (renewed) passport.
Should you keep or destroy old passports? ›
Worster also notes that some newer passports are made with RFID chip which contains all of your personal information. Tampering with the chip is considered illegal, so bottom line: you shouldn't get rid of your expired passport.
Can I still use my old passport while waiting for a new one? ›Use your old passport and you will be able to travel anywhere as long as there is 6 months validity remaining.
Can you ring the passport office? ›The application process for a UK passport has change over the years, but Passport Office customer services make it simple and easy to follow. You can fill in a simple form online, or you can even get in touch with the team via telephone at your convenience.
Can you call into passport office? ›The telephone number for the Customer Service Hub is 01 671 1633 or you can contact us by WebChat.
Can I go to the passport office without an appointment? ›You must book an appointment for an urgent passport application before you call or visit a centre. Use the normal service if you do not need a passport urgently.
What happens if you fill all the pages in your passport? ›Applicants who need additional pages in their valid passports must obtain a new passport by mail. Applicants within the United States may choose a 28-page or 52-page book.
Can you smile in a passport photo? ›Can I smile in my passport photo? Yes, but make sure both your eyes are open and your mouth is closed in your photo.
What happens if you use all the pages in your passport? ›Whether you have the jumbo passport or not, if you run out of blank pages for stamps the only option is to purchase a new passport. Everyone should have at least two blank pages when they travel to allow plenty of room, and if you don't have this, your passport could become invalid.
Can I fold my passport renewal form? ›How should I send the passport renewal application? Place the completed application form and supporting documents in a large envelope. Do not fold the form. We recommend you mail the renewal form and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.
Can I send multiple passport applications in one envelope? ›You may send multiple applications to the Embassy or Consulate in one DHL envelope, however, each passport must be returned individually. Remember to include a separate pre-paid waybill for each passport application to be returned to you.
Do I need to send a return envelope with my passport renewal? ›
Question: Do I have to include a self-addressed envelope with my renewal application to have my passport returned to me? Answer: There's no need to send a self-addressed envelope if you're sending it to the processing center directly. it is so very important to have it as soon as possible.
What color looks best for passport photo? ›Choose Darker Colors
Generally, the backdrop for passport photos will be either white or light gray, so choose a darker colored top to contrast the background of your photo. A white blouse with a white background will most likely get rejected, so your best bet is to stay away from light colors.
- Choose dark clothes that clearly have contrast with background.
- The best option would be a black t-shirt.
- Remember, that your chin must be visible.
- No hats or scarfs covering your head (except for religious reasons)
- You cannot wear a uniform.
We also advise that you wear darker colours, to contrast with the white or off white background required for passport photos.
Why is it hard to book an appointment for passport? ›It attributed the delays in processing of passport appointments to its lack of manpower. With the Covid-19 pandemic, DFA-OCA is operating at 30-percent working capacity and can only process 6,000 applications. Before the pandemic, the office could process up to 13,000 applications.
Does passport actually take 3 weeks? ›Please note that expedited service can take 3-5 weeks. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply for a passport at a local acceptance facility.
What time does DFA open slots for appointment 2022? ›Appointment slots are made available at 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays except holidays for ALL DFA Consular Offices.
Why would a passport application be denied? ›The principal law enforcement reasons for passport denial are a valid unsealed federal warrant of arrest, a federal or state criminal court order, a condition of parole or probation forbidding departure from the United States (or the jurisdiction of the court), or a request for extradition.
Can senior citizen walk-in passport? ›Senior citizens who require a passport, fresh or re-issue, can apply through a quick and simpler process designed for the senior citizens. Walk-ins are allowed at the Passport Seva Kendra. Senior citizens are not required to book appointments online.
What are the 5 main steps you need to complete to apply for a passport? ›- Fill out or Download your Form.
- Cost of your Passport.
- How to Submit a Good Photo.
- Tips for your U.S. Citizenship Documents.
- Show us your Photo ID.
- Find Passport Service Locations.
What will prevent me from renewing my passport? ›
Denial of a U.S. Passport Application
There are a number of reasons why the U.S. Department of State can deny your U.S. Passport application or renewal, including: Owing child support. Receiving an IRS taxpayer notice in the mail about having a large overdue unpaid tax debt. Having a previous passport revoked.
The most common way for people to renew their passport is through the US State Department standard processing. You can download Passport Renewal Form DS-82 from the State Department website. You may submit the passport application either through a local post office or by following the mailing instructions on the form.
What documents do I need for a passport renewal? ›You won't need any documents to renew your passport digitally, but you will need a current photograph of yourself, a credit or debit card, and your current passport. You can renew your passport here on the official government website.
Should I keep passport with me at all times? ›You should only carry your passport with you when you need it – otherwise, it should stay locked up. If you're going to take your passport with you, always keep it in a location that is hard to get to. If you carry it in your purse or travel bag, keep it zipped up in an internal pocket within your bag.
Why does my passport have holes punched in it? ›Many people like to have their old passports as a keepsake. Although your current passport does need to be turned in with your application, that passport will be returned to you. The canceled passport will have two small holes punched in the bottom of your identification page to mark it as canceled.
Why are old passports returned? ›The old passport you submitted with your passport renewal request will be marked cancelled, even if it is already expired, and it will be returned to you. Passport books can be marked cancelled with a stamp or by having holes punched in the cover.
When you renew a passport is the number the same? ›Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.
Should I carry both old and new passport? ›If both passports are from the same country, then you need only take the current one, especially if the visa is in the new one. The expired passport would be useless.
How early should I renew my passport? ›Even if your passport hasn't expired yet, you often need to renew before it does. Some countries require passports that are valid six months beyond the date of your trip. So, even if yours hasn't expired yet, check that it's not expiring within the next 12 months.
What is the best time to call passport customer service? ›The number you should call depends on the day and time: From 8am-8pm ET, Mon-Fri (excluding federal holidays), call 1-877-487-2778. Se habla español. Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.
What is the best way to contact the passport office? ›
For general advice, you can: use the online enquiry form - you'll get a reply within 72 hours. contact HMPO by phone or post.
Are passport interviews online? ›Customers can have an interview at any of the public interview offices across the UK or alternatively due to the Covid-19 pandemic we will try to interview the customer remotely using Skype. They can find their nearest office at www.gov.uk/passport-interview-office.
When should I book my passport appointment? ›What time does the DFA open slots for appointment in 2022? For 2022, the DFA said there's "no exact time when the slots will be opened to avoid overloading the system." With that in mind, you can try checking the passport appointment system at off-peak hours like midnight or dawn to check for available slots.
Can I schedule a passport appointment online? ›You can use the Passport Seva Online Portal to apply for a passport. The system will choose the date and time that the applicant must be present for an appointment automatically. A service fee must be paid online at http://www.passportindia.gov.in/ to book appointments.
How long is it taking to get a passport? ›The HMPO advice is to apply for a passport far in advance of travel, keeping in mind the ten-week waiting window.
Can I go walk in for passport appointment? ›Who Can Walk-in in DFA for Passport Processing? There are special groups of people allowed to process passport as walk-in applicants. These individuals must bring their appropriate valid ID together with all other requirements for passport first-time applicant or passport renewal.
What time do passport slots get released? ›But the times of day new slots become available have at least become more predictable of late, with Premium appointments in recent days typically released at around 8am and Fast Track slots closer to 5pm.
What happens at passport appointment? ›Your documents will be checked. Documents that are not necessary will be returned. Necessary documents will be uploaded on the Passport Seva (PSP) Portal. Step 3: You will then be given a print-out of your uploaded personal information which will need to be reviewed and signed.
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At the top of the page along with your photo, right under the heading that reads “United States of America,” you'll see “Type” and under that, “P.” That doesn't indicate a specific type of passport; it simply indicates the type of document. It's document type “P,” or in other words, a passport.
What is the yellow sticker on passport? ›
It means that your passport has been checked by some form of airport/airline security and that you have answered their “security” questions satisfactorily. The sticker indicates that you are cleared for your flight.
What are the parts of a passport? ›It is typical for passports to contain the full name, photograph, place and date of birth, signature, and the expiration date of the passport. While passports are typically issued by national governments, certain subnational governments are authorised to issue passports to citizens residing within their borders.
What are the extra pages in passports for? ›Blank Pages
This requirement could be for either an entry stamp or a visa. Countries that require a passport to have a blank page in order to be stamped include Mexico, Canada, the UK and Germany. Italy, Sweden, Singapore and Iceland along with several others require at least two blank pages for an entry stamp.
Regular passport (of maroon color) Special passport (green) Diplomatic passport (black) Service passport (grey)
What does the letter P stand for on passport? ›Photo of passport holder. Type (of document, which is P for "personal")
What does b2 mean on passport stamp? ›The B-2 visa is generally for pleasure, tourism, or medical treatment; or for visiting a friend or relatives for a short period of time. This visa is NOT appropriate for activities while at UCSF.
What does a red sticker on the back of your passport mean? ›These stickers mean airport security is doing it's job. You haven't been flagged, your passport is still valid. I get them often, and I have never connected it to being pulled aside for extra screening or anything.
What does red security sticker on passport mean? ›The security clearance sticker is used whenever the airline has a liability to carry you back to your origin in case you're denied entry. Many countries require you to pass through passport control both when leaving and entering the country.
What are the four passport colors? ›No matter the case, your passport will likely be one of four colors: blue, green, red, or black.
What does two holes in a passport mean? ›Although your current passport does need to be turned in with your application, that passport will be returned to you. The canceled passport will have two small holes punched in the bottom of your identification page to mark it as canceled.
What are the 2 types of passports? ›
The blue passport book, alternately referred to as the Regular or Tourist passport, is the most commonly issued U.S. passport. Diplomatic - Black diplomatic passports are issued to Foreign Service Officers and other persons with diplomatic or comparable status.
What are the four types of passports? ›In the United States, there are four types of passports that can be issued, and they are regular passports, official passports, diplomatic passports and passport cards.
Why do you need 2 blank pages in passport? ›Your passport must have enough blank visa pages to accommodate an entry and exit stamp. At least one blank page is required per visa.
Do I need blank pages in my passport to travel? ›Passports must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country of travel. At least one visa page in your passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas that are stamped into your passport require an entire blank visa page.
Do I need to print all pages of passport application? ›You should type or print legibly when completing all sections of the application. You should PRINT OUT AND SUBMIT ONLY ONE-SIDED PAGES OF THE APPLICATION FORM.