Increasing risks and associated issues with the New Omicron Covid Variant will invariably cause issue with entry into the USA. We at IKS ESQ LLC have been keeping a watchful eye out for changes to entry requirements for the United States. Customs and Border Patrol Announced a policy change that will help US citizens with expired passports to re enter the USA.
The announcement and its details are as follows: On May 28, 2021, a bulletin was issued permitting U.S. citizens to use their expired U.S. passports, whose passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, to return to the U.S. through Dec. 31, 2021.
• This exception is hereby extended to allow the use of certain expired U.S. passports for direct return to the United States through March 31, 2022.
• Expired passports cannot be used to travel from the U.S. to an international destination or to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the U.S. or to a U.S. territory.
• Travelers qualify for this exception if all the following are true:
o They are a U.S. citizen. o They are currently abroad seeking to return to the U.S.
o They are flying directly to the U.S., a U.S. territory, or have only a short-term transit, or connecting flight, through a foreign country on their return to the U.S. or to a U.S. territory.
o Their expired passport was originally valid for 10 years. Or, if they were 15 years of age or younger when the passport was issued, their expired passport was originally valid for five years. o Their expired passport is undamaged and in their possession.
We hope this news is helpful in planning any return as consular Passport Processing is being delayed due to new Covid 19 Lockdowns.