Monday, December 2nd
2024 Passport Service Reviews
Visa HQ
- Full range of passport services (first-time, renewed, child, name change, lost/stolen/damaged)
- Prices from $149 to $699
- 25 offices in 13 countries
- 20+ years of experience
- Has served over 1 million clients
- 24/7 support with online tracking and real-time updates
VisaHQ is an expert when it comes to passports. They've got two decades of experience and serve clients from 25 offices in over a dozen countries. Over the years, this company has helped more than a million people worldwide.
Prices are a bit high
In order to find out what it'll cost to get your passport through VisaHQ and in what timeframe, you'll have to walk through the "start an application” process online. (Although, for what it's worth, Visa HQ offers 24/7 customer support, so you could always try the online chat or toll-free number if you prefer.) Of course, we've done the legwork for you, so here's what VisaHQ was offering at the time of our evaluation:
- New Passports: starting at $499 for 8-10 business days and $699 for 4-7 business days. That doesn't include the shipping fee/speed to VisaHQ (which ranges from $36 for FedEx 2-day to $134 for FedEx First Overnight, or you can ship it yourself with the carrier of your choice). Keep in mind that this timeframe doesn't include the time it will take for you to make an appointment with a Passport Acceptance Location near you; that has to be done in person, so that you can get a sealed envelope with your paperwork and then send that to VisaHQ.
- Child's Passport, Lost/Stolen Passport, Name Change Passport: VisaHQ is happy to offer these services. The pricing and timeframes are the same as for New Passports.
- Passport Renewals: starting at $149 for 3-5 weeks and $699 for 4-7 business days. This fee doesn't include the $211.36 charged by the State Department, but VisaHQ can pay it on your behalf. Again, you can opt for FedEx shipping (with fees from $36 to $134) or take care of the shipping to VisaHQ however you choose (USPS Priority Mail).
- Government fees and inbound shipping not included
"F” from the BBB
We're disappointed to report that VisaHQ still has an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Although there were no complaints filed in the last year and only four over a total of three years, the BBB (rightly) takes issue with the fact that VisaHQ never responded to any of them.
Still gets good feedback from clients overall
On the bright side, we found thousands of verified reviews for VisaHQ, and 86% of them were from people who would recommend the service. It was encouraging to read comments from clients who have used this company multiple times, specifically for passport renewals, and have never had an issue. We also found specific agents praised repeatedly for offering timely, friendly support on both passport and visa applications.
Many reviews from recent months
Your experience may vary, depending on who your assigned rep is and which process you're paying for, but most US-based clients seem to avoid the problems that overseas customers sometimes encounter (with partner agencies of VisaHQ). It's also a great sign that there are so many reviews from recent months - that's not true for many of VisaHQ's rivals on our list.
Above average option for passport services
We're happy to move VisaHQ back up in our rankings. Maybe the company had some struggles managing expectations during the pandemic (didn't we all?), but it looks like they're back to providing excellent customer service consistently. We love that their support team is available seven days a week to answer any passport-related questions you might have, and we're confident that you can get your passport here without any major issues.
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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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