Like others across the globe, Americans are itching to explore in 2023 and break the constraints of pandemic restrictions. They are looking to take bucket list trips and travel to remote international destinations for a trip of a lifetime.

Although we have come out of major prior restrictions in the global tourism industry, 2023 is bringing new challenges. New regulations, systems, and services are being implemented around the world which will affect how Americans and where Americans travel.

Online Passport Renewals

Following long processing delays, the U.S. Passport Agency is expected to launch its online passport renewal portal. The agency trailed a pilot program to much success in 2022 and it soon can be used for the general public.

This follows President Joe Biden’s decree in December 2021 to “design and deliver a new online passport renewal experience” to streamline efficiency.

Instead of needing to find a place to take a passport photo, fill out paperwork and mail physical documents, the digital service allows for a complete online experience.

According to Lonely Planet, the digital service will allow you to upload a photo from your phone and enter the renewal information online.

While the paperwork will be easier, the processing time will still be the same. According to The State Department, processing times will be the same as mailed applications. But fees for both will still be the same.

Applicants will still have to wait six to nine weeks, with the option for expedited processing taking three to five weeks.

ETIAS For Traveling To Europe

To travel to Europe, the EU will soon be charging a visitor fee for travelers and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be rolled out. All non-EU citizens will pay a fee of $7.25 upon entry and are required at any of the Schengen Area’s 26 countries that eliminated controls at shared borders.

In May, a new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be started in Europe which stores travelers’ information, dates of travel and biometric data.

The post 2 Big Changes That Will Impact U.S. Travelers In 2023 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Jarone Ashkenazi
Title: 2 Big Changes That Will Impact U.S. Travelers In 2023
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/big-changes-that-will-impact-u-s-travelers-in-2023/
Published Date: Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:49:02 +0000

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