Travel Documents for Non-US Citizens and Refugees

The passport woes recently faced by NBA star Enes Kanter have put a spotlight on US Travel Documents. Kanter, who plays center position for the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team, is a Turkish citizen and a legal resident of the United States. He's lived in the US for six years, playing for the Thunder and the Utah Jazz. Earlier this month, he ran into major passport problems while traveling in Europe.

Today, we'll take a look at what happened to Enes Kanter, and learn more about the travel documents available to non-US citizens who live in the US.

What Happened to Enes Kanter?

On Saturday, May 20, Enes Kanter was traveling on an international tour on behalf of his non-profit foundation. He arrived in Bucharest, Romania on a flight from Germany, and was stopped by Romanian officials. The officials told him that his Turkish passport had been canceled by Turkish authorities. Kanter, who has been an outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, believes his passport was canceled for political reasons.

Because his passport was no longer valid, Kanter was not able to enter Romania. He remained in the airport until he was able to board a flight to London. He arrived back in New York on Sunday, May 21. It doesn't hurt to be a well-known NBA player — Kanter was able to get help from inside the Department of Homeland Security so he could return to the US even though he doesn't have a valid passport.

Enes Kanter is a legal resident of the United States, holding Permanent Resident status. (This is commonly known as having a "green card.") He's said that he's interested in becoming a US citizen. But it can take up to five years for a permanent resident to become a citizen and get a US passport. Since Kanter no longer has a passport from his home country, what will he do if he needs to travel internationally?

US Travel Documents for Non-Citizens Without Passports

Enes Kanter's situation made the news because he's a star athlete, not because it's a unique scenario! There are a lot of non-US citizens who legally live in the US but don't have passports from their country of citizenship. Some don't have passports because they fled their home country and came to the US as refugees. Others, like Kanter, have had their passports revoked because of political issues. There are even people who can't get their passport renewed simply because of administrative issues, like the closure of a consulate.

Luckily, the US government provides options to legal residents, so they can still travel internationally and return to the United States. Legal residents like Kanter are able to apply for a US travel document. US travel documents for non-citizens look like passport books, with a lighter, slightly greener cover. Unlike US passports issued to citizens, which are issued by the Department of State, travel documents are issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service, part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Types of Travel Documents

Prior to 2003, there were two different types of US travel document book. The two types of travel document, the Permit to Reenter the United States and the Refugee Travel Document, were issued as passport-style books. Reentry Permits had a white cover, while Refugee Travel Documents had a blue cover. (It was a lighter blue than the navy covers of US passports, so it could easily be distinguished from a citizen's passport.) Both types of travel document were issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which was part of the Department of Justice.

In 2003, the INS was dissolved, and immigration services were moved over to the new Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), part of the new Department of Homeland Security. BCIS streamlined the application procedure for travel documents and began issuing both types of the document as a single style of book. This new book had a green cover, and was simply labeled "Travel Document."

Although the BCIS is now known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Travel Document's Cover is now more blue than green, the rules surrounding travel documents remain the same. All of the travel documents discussed below can be applied for using government form I-131.

Reentry Permit

Reentry Permits are formally known as Form I-327, Permit to Reenter the United States. They are issued to people living in the United States as permanent residents or conditional permanent residents. Once issued, the Reentry Permit is valid for two years. It can't be renewed, but you can apply for a new one when it expires.

For people like Enes Kanter, who are not able to get a passport from their home country, a Reentry Permit can be used just like a passport for international travel purposes. You can even use it to get visas!

Reentry Permits can also be issued to people who do have valid passports for their home country. If you are a lawful permanent resident of the US, and you need to travel outside the US for an extended period of time, you may want to get a Reentry Permit. Otherwise, if you are out of the US for a long period of time (usually a year or more), you might lose your permanent resident status.

Refugee Travel Document

People who have come to the United States as refugees seeking asylum are especially unlikely to be able to get passport services from their home country. Perhaps your country does not have diplomatic relations with the United States and thus doesn't have an Embassy here where you can apply for a passport. Maybe your country doesn't have a functional government due to civil war or other events. Perhaps your country would refuse to issue you a passport because you are a political dissident. Refugee Travel Documents (Form I-571) are the answer to all these situations.

Like Reentry Permits, Refugee Travel Documents can be used just like a passport. They are only valid for one year, though, and are only issued to people who have refugee or asylee status, or who have become permanent residents after entering the US as a refugee.

Although Enes Kanter has had his passport canceled due to his political activity, he would not qualify for a Refugee Travel Document. This is because he was already a permanent resident of the US, and he didn't come here as a refugee — he came here to play basketball!

Advance Parole Document

The final type of travel document issued to non-US citizens is not a passport-style document at all. Form I-131 is also used for applications for Advance Parole. Advance Parole documents are issued to non-US citizens who are not permanent residents, but who are seeking to adjust their status to become a permanent resident. In order to apply for Advance Parole, you need to have a valid passport from your country of citizenship. Advance Parole is used if you are in the US, waiting to gain "green card" status, but you want to travel internationally. The Advance Parole document gives you permission to travel outside the US without giving up your request to become a permanent resident.

Source: https://passportinfo.com/non-us-citizen-travel-documents/

How to Renew US Passports?

Has your US Passport been expired or is going to expire within 6 to 7 months?

Either way, you might be seeking help to understand the passport renewal process, which passport application form you need to fill, where to apply for it, and how much time and money it can take.

Here is the answer to all your passport renewal queries and a step by step infographic to guide you through the process

Source: https://passportinfo.com/how-to-renew-us-passports/

Update: US Soon to Revoke Passports for Tax Debt

In December 2015, we brought you the news of a new law regarding passports and tax debt. This law, which allows the US State Department to deny or revoke passports if the traveler owes taxes to the Federal Government, is about to come into force.

This law won’t affect the vast majority of travelers. But if you owe federal tax debt of $50,000 or more, you could soon find yourself without a passport!

The IRS has just released detailed information about the tax debt and passport law, and how it will be enforced. Let’s take a look at the most important details.

The IRS Will “Certify” Citizens with Tax Debt

The IRS is currently going through their records to identify individuals with major outstanding tax debt. They are looking for people who:

• Owe more than $50,000 in unpaid Federal taxes.
• Have had a federal tax lien filed or a levy issued.
• Are not in the process of paying back or negotiating their tax debt.

People who meet these criteria will be “certified” and will have their names and Social Security Numbers sent to the State Department.

How Will I Know If I’ve Been Certified?

If you are on the certification list, the IRS will notify you by mail. They will send an official form to your last known address to let you know that the State Department has been informed of your tax debt. This form is known as Notice CP 508C. It will include a phone number you can call for more information about your case.

Does Being Certified Mean My Passport is Automatically Revoked?

IRS certification doesn’t mean that your passport is immediately cancelled. It’s still up to the State Department to make the determination to revoke your passport. They have the right to cancel your passport immediately, with no grace period.

What Happens If I Apply for a Passport After Being Certified?

If you are on the IRS certification list for your tax debt, and you apply for a passport, your application won’t automatically be rejected. Instead, the US Department of State will hold your application for 90 days to give you time to resolve your debt. If you haven’t paid off your debt or entered into a payment plan within that 90 days, your application will be rejected. You won’t be able to get a passport until after your debt has been addressed.

How Can I Get Off the Tax Certification List?

After you’ve been certified as a “seriously delinquent” tax debtor, you’ll have to deal with your debt before you can get a passport.

If you believe that you were certified in error, you have the right to file suit in US Tax Court or US District Court. The court will order that your certification be reversed if you win your case.

The simplest way to get off the certification list is to pay off your tax debt! Can’t afford to pay your full debt at once? You can work out a payment plan to pay in installments. Alternately, you can negotiate an “offer in compromise” to settle your debt.

Please note that you can’t get off the certification list just by paying your debt down below the $50,000 mark. You’ll need to either pay it all off, or have arrangements in place to satisfy the whole debt.

The tax debt wasn’t your own? If you’ve been certified because of your spouse’s tax debt, you can file for “innocent spouse” relief.

We recommend that you seek the services of a qualified tax attorney to help you resolve your tax debt!

What Happens When My Certification is Reversed?

You’ll be notified by mail when your certification is reversed. The IRS will mail you Notice CP 508R to let you know that you are no longer on the certification list.

The IRS may take up to 30 days to reverse your certification and notify the State Department after your debt is cleared.

Once you’ve gotten Notice CP 508R, you are free to apply for a new passport.

What If I Need a Passport Urgently?

If you have received notification that you’ve been certified by the IRS, you can continue to use your passport until the State Department notifies you that your passport has been revoked. Not sure if your passport has been revoked or not? You can call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 to confirm your passport status.

You can contact the Department of State at the number listed on Notice CP 508C if you have urgent passport needs. You may be able to have your current passport adjusted to a limited validity passport that you can use for urgent travel.

Once you have cleared your debt, you can call the phone number listed on your certification notice if you need to have a passport issued on an emergency basis.

Source: https://passportinfo.com/us-passports-revoked-for-tax-debt/

What is a Passport Day?

If you need a first time passport, a passport for a child under age 16, or a replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, keep a lookout for news of a local Passport Day! For people who work full time, it isn’t always easy to find a convenient Passport Acceptance Facility. Most Passport Acceptance Facilities are only open during normal business hours, and many require appointments to be made in advance. Passport Days, sometimes called Passport Fairs, are special events in which Passport Acceptance Facilities open up outside of normal business hours to allow travelers to come in without an appointment.

Passport Days originated in 2008, when the US State Department launched "Passport Day in the USA." This event, held once a year on a Saturday, was held at all US Passport Agencies and many Passport Acceptance Facilities. Usually, travelers have to have an appointment and proof of urgent travel to visit one of the Regional Passport Agencies, but on Passport Day, the doors were opened to any passport applicant. Travelers could drop in during the day for first-come, first-served passport services. The State Department’s Passport Day in the USA program was cancelled in 2013 due to federal budget issues, but many local Passport Acceptance Agents continue to offer special Passport Days to encourage nearby residents to apply for passports.

How Expensive Are Other Countries’ Passports?

Here at PassportInfo.com, we’ve been thinking a lot about passport fees recently. We’ve just revamped our Passport Fee page to bring you even more information on the price of US passport services. It’s made us curious about what passports cost in other countries. Are US passport books expensive compared to those from other nations, or are they a relative bargain?

The US State Department has kept passport fees stable for more than five years. The last time passport fees were increased was in July 2010. At that time, the cost of a 10 year passport for adults was raised from $75 to $110. The US passport card, which was originally introduced to provide a low-cost option, had its fee increased from $20 to $30. The biggest fee increase in 2010 was the fee for additional passport pages. That service had previously been free if applied for by mail at standard processing speed, but in 2010 was given a price tag of $82. Of course, that fee no longer applies, since the government eliminated additional pages service at the end of 2015!

For this article, to keep things fair, we’ll compare the cost of a standard speed renewal of a 10 year passport book for adults.

Passport Fees in North America

Our nearest neighbors, Canada and Mexico, charge passport fees that are just a bit higher than US passport book fees. A Canadian passport valid for 10 years costs $160 (Canadian dollars), which equates to $120 in US dollars. Mexican 10 year passports currently cost 2,135 pesos, or $130 US.

Interestingly, both Canada and Mexico offer travelers the choice of less expensive passports that will expire sooner. Canadian citizens can choose between 5 year and 10 year passports, and Mexicans can opt for passports valid for 3, 6, or 10 years.

What Color is Your Passport?

For US citizens, it might seem natural and right for passports to be dark blue. But did you know that US passports come in colors other than blue? Around the world, passports come in a variety of shades, but almost all passports are issued in one of just four standard colors: blue, green, red, and black.

Colors have Meanings

With only four standard colors of passports in use around the world, many nations use the color of their passport to show their affiliation with a certain region, political system, or culture. European Union nations like the United Kingdom, Finland and Germany use burgundy covers for their passports. The covers also list both the name of the country and "European Union." Members of the Caribbean Community, also known as Caricom, also mark their passport covers with "Caribbean Community" and use dark blue covers to demonstrate their membership in the political union.

Blue passports are traditionally associated with "New World" nations in North and South America and Oceania. We’re all familiar with the blue covers of US passports, but Canada and Australia also use a similar blue. Many Islamic nations like Egypt and Mauritania use green covers, as green is strongly associated with the Muslim religion. Shades of red are often associated with communist countries like China and formerly communist countries like Russia!

How to Use the Online US Passport Application

When you hear that the US State Department lets you complete your passport application online, you might think that it means that getting a passport is now a completely electronic process, done entirely through the Internet. It’s not! The Online Passport Application is an automated questionnaire that will ask you questions and populate your answers onto the appropriate Department of State passport application form. At the end of the process, you’ll be able to print out your passport application and submit it just like a handwritten application.

There are a few major benefits to using the Online Passport Application. The system will automatically detect which form you need to complete, based on your answers, so you never have to worry about filling out the wrong form. It also produces a barcoded application, which will help speed up the processing of your passport request. (These barcoded applications are required if you are expediting your passport). The online application system also ensures that your application is neatly typed – a big bonus for those of us with terrible handwriting!

Although you can still use a handwritten application if you are applying for standard speed passport processing by mail, we highly recommend that you use the Online Passport Application.

Here are some of our top tips for filling out your passport application online:

• On the first page, check the box next to the statement reading “I have read the Privacy and Computer Fraud and Abuse Acts Notices and Disclaimers” and then hit the Submit button. This will take you to the main menu page.

Top Passport Stories of 2015

Around the world, people are preparing to ring in 2016. Champagne corks are popping as celebrants count down the seconds to the new year. At PassportInfo.com, we’re doing a countdown of our own – we’re counting down our top 5 US Passport news stories of 2015.

Follow along with us as we go through our top stories of the year, starting with...

#5: The Bride Who Missed Her Honeymoon Because of a Damaged Passport

In October, newlywed Carly Baker was not allowed to board her flight to Europe for her honeymoon because her passport was deemed "too damaged" to be valid by an airline representative. As it turns out, her passport was merely showing signs of wear, and wasn’t badly damaged enough to be considered mutilated by the State Department. She was able to do an expedited renewal of her passport and leave for her honeymoon with a few days’ delay.

The moral of this story is that it’s wise to do an early passport renewal if your passport is starting to look worn out. Even if your passport is still considered valid by the US State Department, you might run into problems with airlines or immigration authorities in other countries.

#4: The Jerusalem Passport Case

 

The US Supreme Court ruled on only one case this year that pertained to US Passports. In June, they announced their verdict on the "Jerusalem Passport Case". The case involved a young boy born to US citizen parents in Jerusalem. His parents wanted his place of birth to be listed as "Israel" on his passport, but under State Department policy, "Jerusalem" was listed, as Jerusalem is considered by the United Nations not to belong to any one nation. His parents brought suit against the US State Department, but the Supreme Court upheld the policy of having passports state "Jerusalem" for any US citizen born in that city.

Passport News Roundup: Passport Fairs and New Acceptance Facilities

In the news, this week, are a number of items that impact where and when you can apply for passports. All of these items concern local passport offices, also known as Passport Acceptance Facilities. If you need to apply for a first time adult passport, minor passport for a child under age 16, or a replacement for a damaged or lost or stolen passport, you will need to visit a local passport office in order to have your identity and citizenship verified and have your passport application sealed into an official envelope for processing.

Upcoming Passport Fairs

 

Passport Fairs are events held by passport offices to allow travelers to visit the passport office on an evening or weekend to apply for passports and get information and forms. They are convenient for travelers who have difficulty getting to a passport office during normal business hours.

• Ottoville, OH: The Ottoville High School National Honor Society is sponsoring a Passport Fair on the evening of Monday, November 9 from 5:30 to 8:00pm. The event will be held at the Ottoville High School located at 650 W 3rd Street, Ottoville, OH. Passport acceptance service will be first-come, first-serve, with no appointments needed.
• Perinton, NY: The Perinton Town Hall at 1350 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY will host a Passport Fair on Saturday, October 24 from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Appointments are needed for passport acceptance service; please call 585-223-0770 to schedule your appointment.
• Richmond, VA: Before you head out to your Halloween parties and trick or treating, visit the Richmond Main Post Office (1801 Brook Road, Richmond, VA) for a Passport Fair on October 31 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

 

“Apply Early” Initiative Urges Travelers to Beat the Rush

The US State Department has launched a new “Apply Early” passport initiative to encourage travelers to apply for passport service well in advance of any travel. Every year, the State Department’s Passport Agencies are inundated with more and more passport applications, and the number of applications is expected to rise rapidly in the next two years. Why? The answer lies in recent history.

In 2007, the US government implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which required that US citizens carry a passport for all travel outside of the country, even to countries like Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations which would previously allow travelers to enter without a passport. Because of this, the State Department saw an unprecedented flood of passport applications. The surge was particularly intense in late winter and spring of 2007, as travelers scrambled to get their passports in time for spring break and summer travel to Mexico and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, many travelers who waited until the last minute were not able to get their passports in time, as the overloaded Passport Agencies struggled through their backlog and processing times slowed down.

What Do I Need to Know About Passports? Your Top Passport Questions Answered

Do you have questions about US passports? No matter your question, you can find detailed answers here on PassportInfo.com. But for those of you in a hurry, who want your question answered ASAP, we’ve compiled this list of your top passport questions and the info you need to know.

What is a passport?

A passport is an official document that confirms your identity and citizenship. It’s an essential document for international travel.

What kind of travel requires a passport?

If you are traveling outside of the US by air, no matter where you are going, you will need to have a valid US passport book. If you are visiting Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean via land or sea, you can use a US passport card or a passport book. We recommend that all travelers maintain a valid US passport book, as it can be used for all destinations worldwide and for all forms of travel.

How long is my passport valid?

Passports issued to adults over age 16 are valid for 10 years, and passports for children age 15 and under are valid for 5 years. However, many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months past your date of entry, so we recommend that you renew your passport at least 8 months before it expires.

How long does it take to get a passport?

If you apply for passport service by mail, it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for your new passport to arrive. Expedited service is available by mail for an additional fee, and will have your passport back to you in 2 to 3 weeks. Faster service is available by visiting a US Passport Agency, but you’ll need to make an appointment in advance, and appointments sometimes take weeks to get. By far, the fastest and most convenient way to get a passport is to use a registered passport expediting company. These private companies are authorized by the US State Department to submit expedited passport requests, and can get your passport completed in as little as 24 hours… or less!

What do I do if my passport is lost, stolen, or damaged?

You can apply for a new passport if yours has been lost or stolen, or if it has been substantially damaged. There are special processes to replace a lost or stolen passport or a damaged one. These procedures must be followed even if your passport was expired.

Can I change my name on my passport?

If you’ve legally changed your name, you will need to follow one of two procedures to change the name on your passport. If your passport was issued less than one year ago, you can re-apply for your passport and have a new passport issued at no government fee (an expedite fee will apply, if you need your passport in a hurry.) If your passport was issued more than one year ago, you will need to renew your passport to have a new one issued in your new name.

I’ve got a difficult passport question, where can I get an answer?

Just ask us! Use our contact form to send your question to the PassportInfo.com Help Desk for a quick answer from our team of experts.

Source: http://passportinfo.com/four-trusted-traveler-programs/

Dual Citizenship: One Person, Two Passports

Did you know that it’s possible to be a citizen of the United States and a citizen of another country at the same time? There are a number of ways that travelers can become dual citizens (also called dual nationals). Dual citizens can have two valid passports at one time, and have some special travel and passport considerations when holding passports from two different countries.

 

How is Dual Nationality Acquired?

Dual nationality, with US citizenship and citizenship of another country, can be obtained in several different ways.

• By Birth. If a child is born to a US citizen and a citizen of another country, that child can claim citizenship to both countries. Children born in the United States to foreign national parents can also claim US citizenship by right of their birth on US soil, and will still be able to claim the nationality of their parents’ home country as well.


• By Marriage. Many countries will automatically extend citizenship to US citizens who marry a national of that country. If a foreign national marries a US citizen, the spouse will have to spend several years as a US Permanent Resident before becoming a naturalized US citizen (see below.)


• By Naturalization as a US Citizen. When a foreign citizen acquires US citizenship by naturalization, they do not lose their previous citizenship.

Where Are You From? Place of Birth Listings on US Passports

US passports are in the news again this week as the Supreme Court announced their decision on the “Jerusalem passport” case. In this case, Zivotofsky vs. Kerry, a 12 year old boy born to a US citizen mother sought to have his place of birth be listed as “Israel” on his US passport. We’ll look at this case in more detail, but first let’s consider how other places of birth are listed on US passports.

 

 

 

 

Travelers Born in the United States and US Territories

If you were born in one of the 50 United States, your passport will list your state of birth followed by “U.S.A.,” i.e. “Minnesota, U.S.A.” or “New Jersey, U.S.A.”

Born in the District of Columbia? Your passport will say “Washington, DC, U.S.A.”

Passports for Offshore Fishermen and Sailors

Planning a deep sea fishing trip or a sail out into the open ocean? You may need to pack your passport along with your sunscreen and life jacket.

The United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, which has been in effect since 1994, gives nations sovereignty over the waters for 12 nautical miles (13.8 miles or 22.2 kilometers) off of their coastline. This means that if you sail out of a US port, you are still in the United States until you are more than 12 nautical miles offshore. Beyond that, you are in international waters… until you get within 12 nautical miles of the coastline of another country.

Fishermen in Southern California were recently surprised by a new Mexican law that requires all anglers fishing in Mexican waters to carry a passport. Since Mexico controls the waters for 12 miles off their coast, this particularly effects popular destinations for fishing charters out of San Diego. The Coronado Islands and the Rockpile, both popular fishing spots for day outings, both are within Mexican territorial waters.

Preclearance: Clear US Passport Control Before you Fly Home

After a long international flight back to the United States, we can probably guess what you want to do: get home, take a hot shower, and climb into your own bed. Perhaps the first thing you want to do is to go out for that cheeseburger you’ve been craving for the last week, or maybe you just can’t wait to see your kids or your dog. No matter what you most want to do when you get off that plane, we know what you don’t want to do – stand in long lines at the airport arrivals terminal to clear US immigration and customs.

The good news is that if you’re flying home from one of 15 airports in 6 countries, you can pass through US immigration and customs before you board your flight. This process is called “preclearance,” and US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is working hard to expand preclearance facilities to airports in additional countries.