Washington DC -- Even with fair warning, it seems Americans planning to travel abroad are waiting until the last minute to apply for passports, resulting in epic wait periods for applicants -- and perhaps even canceled travel plans.

With Phase 1 of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's (WHTI) passport requirements in effect since January 23, the U.S. Department of State now estimates that expedited passport service, which used to take two weeks, will now take four weeks or longer. Routine service, formerly taking about six weeks, might now take 10 weeks.

The Passport Services department has increased its personnel numbers in order to meet heightened demand, but applicants can still expect to wait significantly longer than in past years; in addition to dealing with an influx of new applications based on the WHTI, February through April is the busiest time of year because of spring and summer travel plans.

Planners should ensure that attendees know that there will be a long waiting period for new passports, and that attendees who remember from past experience a quick turnaround for renewal may be in for a surprise that could ruin their meeting plans.

More information is available from the U.S. Department of State here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

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