Renewing or getting a new passport could take up to 13 weeks, double the time it took before Covid. Read more at straitstimes.com.
NEW YORK - Mr Nile Khow was in a rush to renew his US passport ahead of a trip overseas, but the passport office in his hometown of Houston was severely backlogged.
With passport facilities across the United States overloaded due to a post-pandemic tourism rush and a faltering new software system, Americans are facing long wait times, busy queues and travel delays. Further complicating the situation is a new online application system that was suspended due to safety concerns, causing additional delays.
Since the beginning of the year, Americans have been filing an average of 500,000 passport requests per week, 30 per cent more than last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently told a congressional hearing.Expediting the procedure can be costly. Mr Alwadish charges US$940 to get a passport ready in one day, while other firms can charge up to US$2,500, he said.Many Americans are now eager to travel abroad and are applying to renew their passports in droves.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Malaysia Edition: Selangor state polls a ‘litmus test’ for PH govt | Mahathir and racial rhetoricRead more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Moderna signs deal to make mRNA vaccines for Chinese marketChina has not approved any western Covid-19 vaccines, inoculating its 1.4 billion population with local shots. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
From ‘facekinis’ to arm sleeves, sun protection gear sells out in China heatwaveBEIJING - As temperatures hit a record roasting 40 deg C across multiple cities in China, how to shield one’s skin from the sun and stay cool has become a hot topic in the country. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
The Big Read: With more seniors needing care, is assisted living the answer for S'pore's 'missing middle' and their caregivers?1/ Each week, TODAY’s Big Read series delves into the trends and issues that matter. This week, we look at the eldercare options available for a rapidly ageing population in Singapore, including a relatively new option of assisted living services.
Read more »
Italy launches COVID-19 inquiry panel, opposition fears witch huntROME: Italy's lower house of parliament on Thursday (Jul 6) backed a parliamentary inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the opposition voicing fears of a witch hunt against those in charge at the time. Italy was the first Western nation hard hit by coronavirus in early 2020, and the cen
Read more »
Govt looking at 'haze sanctuaries', giving masks to the vulnerable as region faces hot, dry period: Grace FuSINGAPORE — “Haze sanctuaries” could be set up in public facilities such as community centres (CCs), among other mitigation measures, in the event of intense haze, Parliament was told on Wednesday (July 5).
Read more »