Monday, December 2nd
2024 Passport Service Reviews
Travisa
- $432 for passport renewal, 2- to 3-week timeframe
- $592 to $692 for expedited service (doesn't include government fees)
- Can pay extra for premium service (to help fill out your paperwork)
- 60+ offices in 29 countries
- In business for 30+ years
Travisa is part of the CIBT group of companies, with offices in nearly 30 countries. Known for its travel visa and passport services, Travisa helps both individuals and corporate clients to get the documents they need for their journeys.
Improved (but still expensive)
Travisa has made some big improvements compared with our previous evaluations over the years. Gone are the days of filling in a PDF or an online form and submitting credit card info without knowing what you're paying. (Good riddance.) Now, right on the Passports page, you can see exactly how much it'll cost you to get a passport in the timeframe you need. Here were the prices at the time of this review:
- Passport Renewal
- $432 for 2-3 weeks ($199 service fee, $190 government agency fee, $43 passport replacement coverage fee)
- No expedited options available
- First-Time or Lost/Stolen Passport
- $692 for 3-5 days ($649 service fee, $43 passport replacement coverage fee)
- $592 for 5-7 days ($549 service fee, $43 passport replacement coverage fee)
Be aware that you'll need an in-person appointment first
However, there's a not-minor detail you need to be aware of: those timeframes for 3-7 days are based on when Travisa receives your paperwork. And, for them to receive your paperwork on first-time or lost/stolen passport processes, you have to schedule an appointment at a passport acceptance location near you. Then, you have to bring all of your paperwork (provided by Travisa) to the appointment, get it returned to you in a sealed envelope from the Passport Acceptance Officer at that appointment, and then send it along to Travisa. Once they receive that envelope, their promised timeframe starts. So don't be thinking that you're going to get a passport in 3 days total here.
Limited feedback (and it's not all positive)
And, unfortunately, Travisa still has pretty mixed reviews. That starts with a "B-” from the Better Business Bureau, though we're glad to point out that the company hasn't received any complaints in the last 12 months and only two in the last three years. However, that may be because not many people are using Travisa to get their passports. We looked at several other places where clients have left feedback for the company, and only found a handful of reviews from within the last year (and, spoiler alert, they weren't positive).
Still room to improve
We're willing to move Travisa's rating up a notch since our last review, since they're actually making the effort to disclose their fees in advance now. That alone is an improvement. Unfortunately, though, we're still not seeing any indication that this is a passport service that's going to be a trustworthy partner if you need help in a hurry.
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The process for getting passports was massively impacted by the pandemic, with processing times and requirements devolving as the world adjusted to new travel norms. During the height of the pandemic, passport processing was severely disrupted. Many passport agencies were closed or operating with reduced staff, leading to massive backlogs and long waits for travelers needing to renew or obtain new passports.
While the situation has improved, there are still some lingering effects that travelers should be aware of. Now, standard passport processing times have stabilized somewhat but remain longer than pre-pandemic levels. On average, it can still take anywhere from 10 to 13 weeks to receive a passport after submitting your application through traditional methods (like going to the post office or another passport acceptance facility).
Passport Service FAQ
Continued from above...
If you opt for expedited processing through that route, you might reduce the wait time to around 7 to 9 weeks. This still represents a significant delay compared to the pre-pandemic era when standard processing typically took 6 to 8 weeks, and expedited processing was often completed in 2 to 3 weeks. It's no wonder that passport expediting services have become increasingly important.
Expedited passport services are designed to help travelers who need to obtain their passports more quickly than the standard or expedited processing times offered by the U.S. Department of State. Expediting services work by leveraging their connections and knowledge of the process to submit applications directly to the agencies that handle passports. They often have the ability to secure appointments at passport agencies, which are otherwise difficult to obtain. However, it's important to understand that these services do not magically cut the processing times in half. On rare occasions, they can help you get a passport in as little as 24 hours in cases of emergency or urgent travel, but more typically within 1 to 3 weeks.
Of course, these services come at a premium, with costs varying depending on how quickly you need the passport and the specific provider. It's also worth noting that even with an expediting service, you still need to have all your documents in order and be prepared to pay additional government fees.
So, which passport service can get your passport to you fast? And which ones will just cause you extra stress and delays? Here are some criteria to help you choose the right one for your needs:
- Services offered. Most passport services can help with all kinds of applications, from new passports and renewals, to replacing lost or stolen ones. Just double-check to make sure the specific kind you need is on their list.
- Available timeframes. "Expedited” means different things to different passport services. If you've got a trip coming up and you didn't realize you needed to have six months left on your passport for it to be accepted, you need "expedited” to mean a timeframe that lets you get on that plane or cruise ship. Pay attention to when the promised timeframe begins: for many expedited services, the clock starts ticking only when they receive your paperwork, which doesn't count for any time needed to go to a passport acceptance facility in person (which is needed for most new passport applications for identity verification).
- Fees. Make sure you understand what's included and what's not. Most passport services don't automatically include the fees charged by the State Department (though some do).
- Reputation. What have clients said about the overall experience with the passport service? Did "expedited” really mean a fast turnaround time? Was there clear communication throughout and on-time delivery, or did documents go missing? Check out customer reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings before you commit to any particular passport service.
Ready to see the world? All that's left is your passport, and so the travel fans at Top Consumer Reviews have reviewed and ranked today's most popular services from first to worst. Whether you just want some help making sure you've dotted the "i”s and crossed the "t”s or you need someone to fly to the rescue and get your passport in hand as fast as possible, our info will connect you with a passport service where "expedited” isn't just a lofty goal but a promise kept. Bon voyage!
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