Travel Tips: Passports (IV)

Just a few days ago, I mentioned that the Government has decided that US citizens who had applied for passports but had not received them could still travel between the US and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda with proper government issued photo identification (such as a driver's licenses) and a Department of State official proof of application for a passport. (See Travel Tips: Passports (III).)

Now the Government is willing to go a step further.

If you paid the extra fee for expediting your applications but still did not receive the passport, you may be able to receive a refund of that expedite fee.

However, the Department of State has been slow to inform citizens about the refund. As of today, there is no notice of the refund prominently available on its site; even so you can read about it on the site here: Expedite Fee Refund.

If you believe you are entitled to a refund, you should send a refund application to the Department of State's refund office in Washington (see below for address). Be sure to include your passport number (if you know it), your name, your date and place of birth, the date (or approximate date) you applied for your passport, and your mailing address and phone number.

There is no word yet how long you will have to wait for your refund.

The government is insisting that the the requirements for passports for travelers driving between the US and Mexico or Canada (to be in-hand by January 2008) is not expected to change.

Address to write for a refund (note that the decision is made on a case-by-case basis and there is not set 'entitlement' to the refund).

Department of State
Passport Services/PPS/Refunds
2100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037-3202

Tom
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Travel Tips: Passports (III)

By now, we should all know that passports are required for travel by between the US and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

However, just when we were getting used to the requirements, things have changed slightly. Because of the backlog in processing applications, the US Departments of State and Homeland Security have decided to allow those US citizens who have already applied for a passport but not received it, to travel by air without the passport.

Does this mean it is like the 'old days?' Can I just use my driver's license?

No.

You must have a government issued photo identification (such as your driver's licenses) and a Department of State official proof of application for a passport. It is expected that processing should return to normal by September 30, 2007. For more, see the US Department of State's site: Temporary Travel Accommodations for those with Pending Passport Applications.

Tom
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Travel Tips: Passports II

It seems that the passport issue for entering the US is constantly changing. Just when you thought you had to have it to leave and re-enter from Canada, it seems that the Government is now working on a plan to allow the use of driver's licenses. The new rules would apply to both US and Canadian citizens.

See the story, Driver's License Instead of Passports, from Embassy: Canada's Foreign Policy Newsweekly.

There is likely to be some dissension from US states because they issue the licenses. But the US Government is broadening its powers to tell the states how to make the cards comply with federal rules.

More on this in a future post.

Tom
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Travel Tips: Passports and PASS Card

In several previous posts (RFID Passports and Protection, Traveler Tips: RFID Passports (Update)), I have discussed the changes in US Passport rules, including the introduction of the RFID chip.

Some important date changes have been announced that should be kept in mind.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all US citizens traveling into or out of the US to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda by air will be required to have a valid passport by January 8, 2007.

The rule is to be applied to travel by sea and land, but there are few criteria that Congress is requiring the Department of State and Homeland Security to meet before that rule can go into effect. As of now, the rule will be applied to sea and land travel on June 1, 2009. However, Congress has also allowed the departments to meet their criteria and move that date back.

While having the passport seems fairly cut and clear, the waters have become slightly muddied. Instead of having a passport, the departments are developing a so-called PASS Card that could be used in place of a passport for western hemisphere travel.

As of yet, there are few details about this new card, but the primary motivation seems to be offering a 'more economic' alternative to the passport.

Most of you have probably been to Mexico or Canada with only your driver's license. Those days are over. Visit the US Department of State passport site to learn more.

Tom
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Travel Tips: RFID Passports (Update)

In a previous post, "RFID Passports and Protection" (March 16, 2006), I discussed the issues with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to be used in US Passports. There is no consensus on the security of this technology, but the US Government is going ahead with its plan for RFID requirements in US Passports.

Read "RFID passports arrive for Americans" (August 14, 2006) on CNet/News.com for more details.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has issued its concerns (read the report here in PDF format) about this technology to the Department of Homeland Security. EPIC noted that "personal data contained in hi-tech passports [is] vulnerable to unauthorized access." EPIC also cites the Department of Homeland Security's own report indicating that deficiencies in the scanning process may actually keep guards from focusing on the person entering the country. Security expert, Bruce Schneier, commenting on the same technology proposed for I-94 immigration forms, warns that "travelers carrying around RFID passports are broadcasting their identity."

The Government argues that RFID passports are 'passive'. That is to say, they must be activated by a scanner. Therefore, it continues, no one is simply 'broadcasting' sensitive information. Unfortunately, such a scanner can easily be created and used inappropriately. Recall the clip from my previous post showing the ease of hacking (a Dutch TV show; hacking occurs at about 6:40 in the video; the explanation is that the numbers are sequential and connected to the expiration date).

What to do?
While you may still need to comply with the government regulations, remember that you can still protect yourself from unauthorized access to the sensitive information stored on the chip. In my previous post, I mentioned ways of protecting yourself, including a specially designed wallet or portmanteau or even using duct tape.

For the Government's official position see, US Department of State: The US Electronic Passport.

Tom