DALLAS — In a landmark announcement at the Skift Global Forum's opening night in New York City, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard R. Verma, revealed that online passport renewal will go live today, September 18, across the United States. 

This initiative aims to streamline the passport renewal process for millions of U.S. citizens, marking a significant leap in modernizing the State Department’s services.

Verma shared the details of the new system, which follows a successful beta test that saw 200,000 people participate. Now available to all eligible citizens, this online option is expected to handle nearly 50% of renewals in the near future. 

The move comes in response to surging demand for passports, with 52% of Americans now holding one—up from just 5% in 1995

How It Works 

The online passport renewal process allows applicants to submit their information and passport photos digitally and make payments via a streamlined platform. 

While processing times—six to eight weeks for standard service and two to three weeks for expedited service—will remain the same, the convenience of submitting applications from home promises to improve users' overall experience.

“We've worked closely with top technology companies to ensure the system operates seamlessly,” Verma said, emphasizing that this is the first step in the State Department’s broader efforts to improve customer service and adapt to modern traveler needs.

Eligibility, Next Steps

To use the online renewal system, applicants must meet specific criteria, such as holding a passport valid for 10 years and having an expiration date less than five years ago. The system is open to U.S. citizens located within the United States. 

Verma encouraged potential applicants to review the eligibility requirements on the State Department's website before beginning the process. He also mentioned that while the online option won’t necessarily speed up the processing time, the convenience factor will significantly reduce the hassle of in-person renewals.

This innovation is part of the U.S. government’s broader strategy to accommodate increasing travel demand. With more people wanting to travel than ever before, Verma noted that these changes aim to support outbound U.S. travelers and the millions of international visitors who fuel the nation’s economy.

“We are trying to solve problems together,” Verma told Skift CEO and founder Rafat Ali during the discussion, adding that the State Department is focused on facilitating travel and maintaining national security in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Passports on our Phones?

During his remarks, Verma addressed further digital innovations, including the possibility of digital visas and passports, which could ultimately replace traditional physical documents. 

Verma explained that the U.S. State Department is actively exploring the idea of a digital visa, which would eliminate the need for travelers to have their visas physically stamped into their passports. 

This development is currently in the testing phase and could significantly streamline the visa process for millions of visitors to the United States.

Verma emphasized that while the State Department is focused on facilitating travel and reducing barriers, it also has to prioritize national security. He pointed out the importance of using technology to maintain a balance between convenience for travelers and safeguarding U.S. borders. 

The Deputy Secretary of State noted once more that his department works closely with the DHS to ensure that any shift towards digital documents, such as passports or visas, keeps the system's integrity intact. 

"We are also a national security agency," Verma stated, highlighting the dual mission of the State Department in promoting travel while protecting the country from potential threats.

India Tops U.S. Inbound Travel in 2024

In a significant shift for U.S. travel and tourism, India has emerged as the leading source of visitor arrivals to the United States in 2024, showing a 52% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

This growth stands out, as only two of the top ten largest source markets for U.S. inbound travel are experiencing increased visitor numbers.

Data from the first quarter 2024 highlights a challenging recovery for many traditional markets. Countries like Canada, Germany, France, Mexico, and the U.K. have shown slight declines in arrivals, ranging from -1% to -19%. Meanwhile, China, once a primary source of visitors, has seen a significant drop, with arrivals down 45%.

This surge in Indian tourism underscores its growing importance to the U.S. travel market, while many other countries continue to face hurdles in returning to pre-pandemic levels. The data from Skift Research and U.S. NTTO reflects trends as of July 2024.

A final reveal during the discussion with Richard R. Verma: According to the Department of State’s Business Visa Center, 30 million travelers hold valid tourist visas. “We issued more than a quarter of those visas last year alone.”

Renewing our passports online is a digital milestone. If all goes well, iit will substantially improve the ease of travel for Americans while simultaneously supporting the travel industry’s post-pandemic recovery.

U.S. citizens can visit travel.state.gov/renewonline to renew their passport.

Stay tuned to Airways for continued coverage of the Skift Global Forum 2024 over the next two days, where we’ll hear from David Pekoske, Administrator of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration; Alex Mans, Founder and CEO of FLYR; Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue (B6); and Andrew Nocella, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of United Airlines (UA).