International travel just got a whole lot easier for Americans.
The State Department has debuted a new online passport renewal system to the public, and Paul Glenn, CEO of Lincoln-based Executive Travel, says this will have a significant impact on the travel industry.
Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, travelers can now renew their passports through a secure process that will save time and effort.
“It’s 10% of the effort, ” said Glenn. “You can do it all from the comfort of your computer, you don’t have to get that appointment, you don’t have to go stand in line, you don’t have to go get those photographs, you can do most of it yourself. It’s just quick and painless.”
The process does have the same passport processing fees, currently $130 for a regular renewal, and the same timeline, about 6 to 8 weeks for your passport renewal to finish processing.
Glenn notes that the new seamless renewal process is a far cry from the lengthy 12-18 week wait times experienced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There was a lot over the last 18 months where it was taking forever and it became a hassle,” Glenn said. “I think this is something that definitely came from some of the challenges and frustrations that came post COVID. I think we’re recognizing the efficiencies that technology can bring.”
While Glenn can admit that online renewals have been a long time coming, he understands the important role that passports play in international security.
“That’s a reality of the intention of passports. So I do why the state department wanted to make sure that they had everything in place to do it properly,” he said.
In 2023, the state department processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals — NPR reports.
“I look at this next generation of travelers, so many of them are seeing the world as part of their education… This helps with the efficiency, but it also makes the world becomes flatter and more accessible to the masses. From my perspective, travel is something that is one of the greatest experiences and greatest opportunities to learn and grow and see the world from a different view than what we get when we’re just sitting here in Lincoln, Nebraska,” Glenn added.
This new process is available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year. It is not available for the renewal of children’s passports, for first-time passport applicants, for renewal applicants who live outside the United States, or for expedited applications.
To get started, visit www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.
Glenn is co-host of KLIN’s flagship travel show Executive Travel Talk. Each week they delve into the hottest destinations, offering insights into what’s trending and what’s not, ensuring that you stay ahead of the curve when planning your next adventure. You can catch Executive Travel Talk live every Saturday from 10 to 11 AM, or listen to the podcast version here.