How long is a passport good for depends upon your age limit. If you are younger than 15 years or you are 15 years old then your passport is good for 5 years. If you are above 15 years old your passport is good/ valid for 10 years.
What is Passport?
A passport is an official document issued by a government; it shows a person’s identity and citizenship which allows them to travel to foreign countries. It allows you to travel internationally. There are many types of passports which are described below.
Types of Passports:
There are 6 types of passports being issued by the majority of people in the world those types of passports are discussed below.
1.Regular Passport: Regular Passport is issued to all the other citizens for different reasons like going abroad this passport may have different types in different countries.
2. Official Passport: This official passport is issued to government employees for work that is related to travel. Also, official passports are issued to those who are Judges of the Supreme Court /High courts, Senators, MNAs, and Provincial Ministers. Officers who serve with Government and due to official assignments they proceed to abroad are issued this passport.
3.Diplomatic Passport: Diplomatic Passport is the document of international identity that defines the positions of diplomats and gives them rights this type of passport is issued by the Ministry of foreign affairs to the government officials and their families who are sent abroad for the purpose of attending any conferences.
4.Emergency Passport: This type of passport is issued to those who lost their passport or their passports may be stolen and they do not have time to get the new one These passports are temporary like one way you will travel return to your home country also it has a short validity period than regular passports.
5. Collective Passport: This type of passport is issued to groups who travel together to a specific place for example A trip arranged by the school for students.
6.Family Passport: This type of passport is issued to an entire family; only a single person can be the passport holder who can wish to travel either alone or with any included member in the passport. A member who is not a passport holder cannot travel alone without the passport holder. Few of the countries issue family passports for example: all the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Purpose of passport:
A passport is a type of document and proof of your citizenship. A passport can’t be used for illegal purposes. A passport can be used for three travel purposes:
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Booking tickets for a trip to foreign countries.
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Tracing a passport owner if he or she is missing abroad.
3.If you are opening an account abroad and planned to get a SIM card.
Design and Format of Passport:
According to ICAO they issue passport standards and recommend them to national governments. The size of the passport follows the SO/IEC 7810 id-3 standard which sets out the size 125*88 mm. Passport cards are issued according to the standards of ID-1 (credit card size).
A standard passport format includes the following things.
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A standard passport format includes a cover (it’s different colors) which contains the Issuing name, country .national symbol, and a document having the description (passport, diplomatic passport, and biometric passport symbol.
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Title page including the name of the country.
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Data page having information about the issuing authority and the bearer.
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Blank pages for Visas.
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A stamp for entries and exit.
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Passports have serial numbers which are assigned by the issuing authority.
Languages of Passports:
According to ICAO’s recommendation passports can be issued in French and English or the passports can be in the national language of the country that is issuing passports many countries in Europe use English and French language including their own national language.
Processing Times of passport:
It takes up many weeks and within this, your application is submitted to a mail facility, after your payment, your application is entered into the system. If it is shown in your status of passport that the application you requested is “Not Available” but the documents are on their way safely.
Now a day, you can send your application online using Online Passport Status System. All passport services take time for processing.
1. Door-to-Door Times
Routine: It takes up to 18 weeks almost 12 weeks for processing and 6 weeks for mailing.
Expedited: If you want it sooner, then it takes up to 12 weeks including 6 weeks for processing and 6 weeks for mailing.
Expedited at Agency: If next month you are leaving and need an urgent passport in order to get a visa before you travel anywhere Passport agencies will get your passport within 72 hours means in 3 business days.
2. Check Online:
You can use an online service too for checking the status of your passport so go to the Online Passport Status System and check your application status.
By Phone:
You can also apply for passport applications through smartphones just by calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 on Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm Eastern Time.
Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center
Here are two types of appointments:
1.Emergency Service:
If you have an emergency you must call to make an emergency appointment.
2.Urgent Travel Service:
If you want to travel urgently then by the help of the Online Passport Appointment System you can take an appointment or by calling or TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793 or 1-877-487-2778.
How long are passports valid for?
Generally, a Passport is good for 5-10 years then you have to renew it in order to travel again. Different countries have different validity timings of passports some of them are discussed below.
1. How long is a passport good for in Pakistan?
Once in Pakistan ordinary passport is issued to all citizens of Pakistan then a Machine Readable Passport is issued by the doctorate general of immigration & Passports which is valid for 5 years and Ten years to fee deposit. Remember that the passport having 5 years validity will not be converted into validity for 10 years.
2. How long is a passport good for in the U.S?
How long your passport is good for in the U.S after you get a new passport depends on your age let’s suppose your age is 16 or you are older than 16 years old then your passport is valid for 10 years if you are below 16 and your passport is issued then your passport is good for 5 years.
3. How long is a passport card good for in Canada?
In Canada, Your passport validity depends on the age of the passport holder and it is good for different periods of time. Adults who are 16 and over 16 age their passports are valid for five or 10 years depends on what you choose. Children who are 0 to 15 years of age their passport card is good for 5 years.
4. How long is a passport valid for in the U.K?
You must be thinking of how many years is a passport good for in the U.K? Then remember if you are at the age of 16 or above so your passport is valid for 10 years. Your passport is valid for 5 years when at the time of issuing the passport you were 15 years younger or completely 15 years old.
How long for a renewed passport:
It takes up to 10 weeks in order to get your passport if you want an urgent one you can also apply for it may charge an additional fee remember your new passport and the old one will not have the same number so do not book your travel until you get the new/valid passport.
Different countries have different timings of renewing passports some of the countries are discussed below.
1.How long for a renewed passport in Pakistan:
The processing time for renewing a passport takes normally 4 weeks and if you are applying for an urgent passport then it takes up to 2 weeks after the date of booking.
2. How long for a renewed passport in the U.S:
From the day you have submitted your application they take up to 18 weeks until you receive your new passport. These 18 weeks include 12 weeks for processing and 6 weeks for front and back end mailing times.
3. How long for a renewed passport in Canada:
If you are about to go for renewing your passport at a passport office then it takes 10 business days almost and if you are planning to renew your passport through mail then your application will be processed to take 20 business days.
4. How long for a renewed passport in the UK:
It does not take so long for renewing a passport in the UK once you request renewing passport it takes up to 10 weeks to get your passport and if you prefer to go online through the mail for renewing your passport then it doesn’t take long online than by post.
Summary:
A passport is good/ valid for 5 years-10 years depending on your age. Having a passport is very beneficial in order to travel anywhere internationally. You can also apply for a new passport, stolen passport, and lost passport through post or online by mailing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some questions that are asked frequently about how long is a passport good for and they are as follows.
1. When is the best time to get a passport?
According to the U.S. State, it is best to apply for a new passport or renewing passport which is expired is between September and the end of December because at that time you can demand a new passport and the department can process immediately due to its off-peak season.
2.How long do I need a passport before traveling?
In the US it requires that a passport must be good for at least six months before you complete your trip while in the U.K you must have at least 30 days before you exit the trip place otherwise it is recommended that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport before expiring.
3.Which countries require six months of passport validity?
Sometimes, a valid passport isn’t enough. The entry requirements for most countries state that a passport cannot expire within six months of arrival in that country, or in some cases, the passport cannot expire until six months after the exit date. Many Asian and South American countries like the following apply these rules.
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Burundi
- China
- Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Ecuador (also includes the Galapagos Islands),
- And French.
Mexico and Canada currently don’t require 6 months of validity.
4. What to do if you lost your passport?
If you lost your passport first of all you will report and then you can apply for a new passport and simply complete an additional passport form claiming that you have lost your passport.
Or if your passport is stolen you must fill a form DS-11 in person and submit it then maybe you will be called for an appointment at a passport agency to get your passport.
5.How we can get a US passport in an emergency?
If you want an urgent passport then it is usually issued within 72 hours means 3 business days by the department of the U.S and pay additional fees. There are many other options for getting an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency to get your U.S passport.
6.What are the fees of a passport?
Fees of passport vary from 500 to Rs. 3,500 depending on which service you are required for your passport. For Example:
S.No | Service Required for Passport | Application Fee | Additional Fee |
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1. | Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport of 10 years validity (36 pages) | 1,500 | 2,000 |
2. | Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport of 10 years validity (60 pages) | 2,000 | 2,000 |
3. | Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport (36 pages) | 1,000 | 2,000 |
4. | Replacement of Passport (36 pages) | 3,000 | 2,000 |
5. | Replacement of Passport (60 pages) | 3,500 | 2,000 |
6. | Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | 5,00 | NA |
7. | Replacement of Passport (36 pages)10 year validity | 1,500 | 2,000 |
8. | Replacement of Passport (60 pages) | 10 year validity | 2,000 |
9. | Replacement of Passport (36 pages) | 5 year validity | 1,000 |
7.What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
The passport card was designed for the basic purpose of the needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that pass the border frequently by land. The document which is to be approved for international travel is the passport book.
8.What is the benefit of a passport card?
Passport provides us to travel in international level. Passport allows you to travel easily to nearby countries by land and sea. According to the Travelers agency, the U.S. passport card is accepted as an ID to visit 20 foreign nations. Those countries are Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and 17 islands in the Caribbean.
Conclusion:
How long is a passport good for is not at all a difficult question these days because it is quite obvious now the validity of a passport is a minimum of 5years and a maximum of 10 years old depending on your age.