Pro Photo West Fall 2019

Before You Travel…
by Rebecca Li
Are you traveling this holiday season? It’s time to check the validity of your passport and IDs. In
general, you need 6 months of validity on your passport for international travel or an unexpired identification
card, such as your driver’s license, for domestic travel.
Allow ample time to apply for or renew your travel documents. For example, for U.S. passport, the regular
processing time for renewal is 6-8 weeks. You may pay for expedited service if you are running late. Only in
the case of life-or-death emergencies, you may be able to make an appointment and get your passport
within 72 hours (3 days).
Want to breeze through border controls? Consider applying for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. These
programs pre-screen low-risk travelers and provide dedicated processing lanes at selected airports and the
borders. U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in these programs are also eligible for TSA
Pre✓®, which expedites traveler screening through TSA security checkpoints.
Real IDs for 2020? Beginning October 1, 2020, you will need a valid passport or a “Real ID”-compliant
license/ID to board federally regulated commercial aircraft (and entering Federal facilities and nuclear power
plants, for that matter.) For California, you can apply for a compliant driver’s license or identification through
the DMV, in person, with 2 proofs of residency.* You may apply now or wait until your identification expires.
However, if you choose to renew online or by mail, you will only get a federal non-compliant card that
contains the phrase “Federal Limits Apply.” In the latter case, you will need other Real ID-compliant/TSAapproved
identification.
Are you traveling abroad? Check out the US Department of State website Travel.State.Gov, which include
very useful information such as:
- Details specific to your destination
- Travel documents required
- Insurance coverage
- Crisis management
- How to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Non-US citizens should contact the Embassy or Consulate of your country of citizenship for similar travel
safety programs.
Safe travels!
* If you have applied for a Real ID driver’s license or identification card at the California DMV before April 29,
2019, with only one form of proof of residency, you should have received correspondence requesting action,
or you will need to provide the additional proof at the next renewal.
www.ppconline.com Fall 2019 15