Tag: up-to-date passport photo

What you shouldn’t take on your next trip

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Of course, you’ve already thought about everything you need to take for that next vacation. Sun lotion, always. A swimsuit, shorts, a nice and corny floral print shirt. It’s always easy to think in terms of what you need; not so easy to think in terms of what you don’t (especially if the trip is a long one). Here is an absolute must on any vacation: reduce clutter to avoid the very real possibility of losing something important. So get rid of the technology you cradle like a teddy bear at night, the series of novellas, the extra wardrobe and read this list of must-nots.

1. Books

If you’re checking in a bag, books will not only weigh down on you but weigh down on your travel budget. If your bag is over 50 pounds, you could end up paying an extra 25 dollars for every 25 pounds over. Seriously, how many novellas are you going to get through when you’re sorting out directions, relaxing with other people, and experiencing new things every day? If you’re going to bring a book, bring the shortest one to give you the satisfaction of finishing it, or simply buy a Kindle so you can read on the plane.

2. More clothes than you need

The golden clothes ratio? One outfit for every three days you spend there. There will be at least one affordable clothing store with copious amounts of nice clothing, and you’ll need space in your bag to bring your purchases with you. If you’re concerned about hygiene and you’re travelling with more than just yourself, encourage them to do the same and do laundry together at a local spot. A laundry mat can be a great cultural site for learning, especially when some even have coffee shops, bars, or arcades waiting for you inside.

3. Laptops, cameras, and jewelry

It’s not uncommon for routine maintenance people in hotels to do an inside job and take valuables. If you need to go on a computer, look up computer rental shops, internet centers, and local libraries. Need a camera? Use your phone or invest in a nice digital one that you can always have on hand along with your keys, wallet, and passport (because you don’t want to end up taking another one of those passport photos, either!).

In short, your trip should be about making space for the new: new memories, friends, and experiences. Why do you want to stuff it all up with your personalized clutter?

5 tips to help you reach your holiday destination on time

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Preparing to head out for the holidays? Travel can become a headache very quickly if you haven’t accounted for the necessary variables. Make sure everything goes smoothly and you arrive at your destination on time by keeping these five holiday travel tips in mind.

Plan in advance

A good plan wins out over no plan every time. Even a bad plan wins over having no plans at all! Take the time to think things through a little in advance, and you’ll be far less likely to run into a surprise when it’s time to get on the road.

Pack for every eventuality

The better you can pack to avoid delays, the faster you’ll reach your destination. While it’s impossible to really pack for every eventually, you can at least make sure you’re well-prepared for the likely suspects—flats, messes, hunger, etc.

Consider your best route, not the best route

While an unfamiliar drive through complex terrain may be theoretically faster, and a dizzying mess of flight transfers may look faster and cheaper on paper, you need to think carefully about whether that’s the right route for you. Sometimes discretion wins out over ambition.

Make sure your passport and other paperwork is in order

If you’re crossing a border, make sure you have your passport and any other necessary documentation ready for the trip. The same goes for tickets, baggage claim slips, hotel packages and anything you might need to get to your destination without headaches. Be especially aware of potential delays; if you don’t have your passport in hand already, don’t be confident you’ll have it on time, especially if you’re still waiting to find out whether your passport photos and applications were acceptable.

Stay on top of travel changes

Weather changes, flights get delayed, roads have accidents – there are plenty of things that can change the rules for your trip at the last minute and derail your plans. That’s okay! Just make sure you’re paying attention to relevant news sources and are staying flexible, so you can account for problems and eliminate them ASAP.

These won’t guarantee your arrival on time—nothing can do that—but they’ll greatly increase the odds you get where you’re going without too much delay.

I’m taking a cruise. Do I need a passport?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Cruising is one of the most popular types of vacations. The price, the convenience, and the hospitality weave together an enjoyable vacation for couples, families, and friends. The variety of onboard entertainment and excursions cater to travelers of all ages. Cruises happen to be great value for a getaway with food and accommodation included. Many cruises branded “all inclusive” are popular with adults who enjoy an open bar. Can you picture it?

Unlike many other all-inclusive vacation packages, cruises offer a rare perk. Last-minute bookings for a cruise tend to be sold at deep discounts. Need another incentive to cruise? Many cruise lines offer three-day cruises for a weekend getaway. The only obstacle between you and your cruise is often a passport.

Passports are sometimes necessary on a cruise. The country’s port of call, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise line’s regulations determine if a passport is necessary. For many cruises originating and ending in the same United States port of call, a passport is not necessary (these are known as closed-loop cruises.) However, a passport is recommended for any foreign travel so make sure you don’t forget to renew your passport in time.

Although some cruises do not require a passport, being prepared with a passport is still a safe bet. Having an up-to-date passport photo also means you can use your passport as identification during your travels. If you want to take advantage of a last-minute deal, don’t fear! Expedited passport photos are a cinch with PASPIC.com. A passport photo that does not meet the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs will delay the processing of your passport. With PASPIC, you can upload your passport photos to confirm that they meet the requirements. Confirmation is a quick process!

Don’t let an expired passport postpone a great deal on a last-minute cruise vacation. PASPIC.com is your quick and convenient source for passport photos. Whether you plan your cruise vacation months in advance or it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway trip, be confident that PASPIC will make updating your passport photos a quick and stress-free part of the journey.

Obtaining a child’s passport when you’re a single parent

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

As a single parent, you work very hard to provide your child with everything he or she needs. You have been cutting expenses and saving for the trip of a lifetime. You have already had passport photos taken, but when you get the application for your child’s passport, you learn that it asks for both parents’ signatures.

In many cases, it is just not possible to get both parents to sign. However, this does not mean that you will never be able to travel abroad with your children. These rules were put in place to protect against international abductions. You can rest easy because there are ways to get around such rules when it is not possible to get the signature of the other parent.

The government’s rules on passports for children

On July 2, 2001, it became a requirement for the signatures of both parents to be included on the passport application of any child under 14. Before 2007, children were permitted to enter certain countries without a passport of their own. However, on January 23, 2007, passports became a requirement for traveling between the United States and a number of countries, such as Canada, Bermuda, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Options for single parents

Single parents who are not able to obtain the signature of the other parent have a few options to take into consideration. In the event that the absent parent does not object to the child’s passport application, he or she can simply provide a signed and notarized Statement of Consent.

On the bottom of the Statement of Consent, you will find the Statement of Special Circumstances. This is to be used when the other parent is not available. You will be able to provide an explanation as to why the other parent’s signature is not obtainable.

It is important to note that if only one parent is included on the child’s birth certificate, the signatures of both parents will not be required. Additionally, a parent who has been granted sole custody of the child may submit a copy of the court order with the passport application. So, get those passport photos and get ready to have the time of your life.

Photo: IMG_2532 by mastercharlz licensed under Creative commons 2

Tips for keeping your passport in good condition

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

It’s more-or-less common sense to keep your passport photos in good condition. A damaged passport photo can cause almost as much, if not as much, strife as a lost or stolen one – after all, your passport is considered to be government property. If it becomes damaged in any way, the passport could become invalidated and wreck your travel plans, as well as lose its status as proof of your citizenship. It could cost you entry into other countries – which creates an obvious hiccup in your plans – or cause any other number of inconvenient and just plain undesirable situations.

To keep your passport safe from damage:

1) Keep it in a designated passport holder

The few dollars you will spend upfront on a passport holder will pay off in dividends. Don’t just cram your passport into your pocket, briefcase, suitcase, or purse; this practically guarantees that the passport will crease, fray, and/or tear. Better yet, get a waterproof holder so that you aren’t worrying about your passport while enjoying the salty sea breezes on a cruise, or splashing about in the waves at the beach!

2) Keep your passport in a secure, dry place

When you aren’t carrying your passport with you, make sure that you’re storing it somewhere safe, such as a dark, cool closet shelf. Keep it out of bathrooms, locker rooms, and other places where moisture and bacteria gather, as these places are just begging for water, and eventually mold, to collect on your passport and destroy it.

3) Keep your passport pictures tucked out of sight

If you must carry your passport with you (optimally it will spend much of its time abroad locked securely in a safe), make sure that it is secured in your backpack, luggage or purse. Don’t carry it sticking out from your back pocket or crammed into the side pocket of a backpack, as that almost guarantees it will fall out or get stolen.

These are just a few precautions to take in order to ensure your passport is kept safe, secure, and in great condition.

Top 5 reasons passport photos are rejected

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Do you know the primary reason why passport applications get held up? It’s because of unacceptable passport photos. In 2015 alone, the U.S. State Department received over 200,000 unacceptable passport photos. Make sure your passport application is processed smoothly and your trip goes ahead as planned by submitting an acceptable passport picture. Just be sure to avoid the top reasons passport photos are rejected:

Lighting

Bad lighting can instantly ruin a photo. Whether the image is too bright, too dark, or affected by shadows, a photo with unacceptable lighting will be unacceptable to the State Department. Remember, the goal is to reflect your true skin tone and facial features without any shadows.

Recency

You may have taken the perfect headshot one year ago, but it won’t be eligible for your passport application now. Recency matters, as physical features can change over time. Your passport photo needs to have been taken within six months of submission.

Image size

Your passport photo must measure 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51mm) in size. Any photos submitted that are too big or too small will not be accepted and will delay your passport application process.

Distance

The distance between you and the camera is an important factor for your passport picture. A selfie simply won’t cut it. Passport photos require the size of your head to be between 1 and 1-3/8 inches (25 – 35mm) within a 2 X 2 inch frame. use the State Department’s smart photo tool to crop your photo to meet distance guidelines.

Image and paper quality

Blurry, grainy, and pixilated photos will not be accepted. The photo must be clear in order to properly identify you. Make sure you use a high-quality camera and size the image appropriately. Also, you cannot print your passport photo on regular printer paper. You must use matte or glossy photo-quality paper.

If you are able to avoid the common reasons passport photos are rejected, and all of your other application materials are in line, your passport application should be processed quickly and smoothly. Soon you should have no problem obtaining a picture perfect passport.

Passport safety tips when traveling

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Most people only remember to check their passport when they have an upcoming trip. If it is close to the expiry date, you ought to take current passport pictures and make an application for renewal. While your passport is safe at home, what steps should you take to secure your passport when traveling?

Passport safety tips when traveling

Make some copies

Although you will use the original passport, there is no harm in making copies and carrying one or two with you. In the unfortunate event that you lose your passport in transit, you can use the copy to prove that you have a valid passport. The copy may not have an original passport photo, but it is enough to provide identification before you can consult the nearest US embassy.

Keep it with you or locked up

Many travelers assume that, since they are staying in an expensive hotel, there are minimal chances of losing their valuables. You should not make such an assumption. It is better to have the passport on you or securely locked when you have to leave your hotel room.

Protect it

Taking good care of your passport does not just entail keeping it safe. You ought to take great care to ensure that you protect it from the elements. The best way of protecting your passport is by keeping it in a weather-proof pocket to prevent water damage. Moisture is likely to destroy your passport photo, making it harder to identify you.

Learn about your rights

While visiting a foreign country, you need to know where you are required to provide your passport and where you do not have to present it. If you know your rights, you will avoid falling for the tricks of scammers that want your details to rob you. Apart from the airport and when booking into the hotel, few other places will insist on the production of your passport.

If you are unfortunate enough to lose your passport in a foreign country, the first step is to report the loss at the local police station. You should then ask for directions to the nearest embassy or consulate to seek further assistance.

Photo: My Passport by bryansblog licensed under Creative commons 2

Your passport FAQs

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

There aren’t many more essential on-hand items for world travelers than the passport. As your ticket into and out of the country, it is important to keep safe but also learn as much about as you can. The last thing you want is to be left high and dry in another country because you forgot to read the fine print. Even if you have had a passport for years, there are probably a few lingering questions you still haven’t answered. Take a minute to check and see if they are listed below.

How long is my passport valid?

It depends on how old you were when you got it. If you were older than 16, then it expires after 10 years. If you were younger than 16, then it only lasts five years.

Do children need passports?

Definitely. Children 15 years old or younger need to apply for a child passport when traveling overseas. It may be wise to note that child passport photos take a bit of extra care than adult photos, so checking to make sure your photos make the grade before submitting is a good idea.

How quickly can I get a passport?

If you need a passport within three weeks, you can apply for an expedited passport, which will cost extra. Otherwise, it will take six weeks to get your passport. In the case of life or death emergencies, you can apply for a passport within 24 to 48 hours in certain cases.

How important is the passport photo?

Passport photos are one of the most important parts of the process, and the number one reason why passport applications get rejected. To avoid a rejected application, or any problems at customs, make sure you get professional photos taken.

Is a passport a valid form of ID?

Yes, a passport is actually one of the most highly authenticated forms of identification available and can serve as personal identification in most cases. However, when going about your day to day life in your home country, it may not be advisable to carry your passport, in order to keep it as safe as possible.