Just as summer time travel begin to flourish, the State Department releases higher fee rates for passports and visas. Effective on July 13th the cost of passport for an adult will increase from $ 100 to $135, including a $25 administrative fee. Children under 16 will pay $105 with the increase, up from $ 85 currently paid.
Passport cards, which are used by Americans traveling by land or sea on trips to the non-U.S. parts of the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico, can anticipate a price increase as well. Adults will dish out $55 opposed to $45; and minors can expect to shell out $40 opposed to $35.
The State Department justify these increases as result of higher fees are stemmed from a study of how much it cost the Bureau of Consular Affairs to provide services and that the new fee scale will cover actual operating expenses for the 301 overseas consular posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide these consular services to U.S. and foreign citizens,” stated an State Department representative.
Meanwhile , the U.S Customs and Border Protection(CPB) is alerting travelers going between Canada and USA to be particularly mindful of these price increase, as Canada Day (on Thursday) and Fourth of July (Sunday) might surprise some tourists.
CPB is suggesting children 16 and under provide their birth certificate when traveling by land or sea to Canada, thus eradicating fees and headaches. But adults on the other hand are required a passport, a passport card, enhanced driver’s license or membership in a “trusted traveler” program for travel.
Continue reading additional coverage at USAToday.com plus gain access to the complete list of the new fees as well.
So what do you think Cincy? Will these price increases put a damper on your traveling aboard plans? Do you find the increases justifiable? Be sure to let us know how you feel in the comments section below. Do many of your plan on traveling abroad this year? If so tell us what foreign countries or overseas hot spots you want to visit.
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